Ephesians 4:7-13 New International Version (NIV)
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
When Christ came to earth from the heavens in his grace he gave everyone a special specific gift appointed just for them. Something only they as who the were can use. He ascended from the heavenly realms and took prisoners and put them I imprisonments. Then he presented his gifts of offerings. He gave special gifts of rank to reward some believers. Gifts to the churches of evangelists, pastors and teachers to specifically speak intensely and intelligently speak his teachings and share of who he is. He gave jobs of service to people so that work could be done build up the body of Christ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. That is when we achieve our excellence in life and in him. That is when we become fully equipped with his words and full understanding of his life and who he is. This creating who we are and how we spread the message of his word.
Ephesians 4:7-13 The Message (MSG)
7-13 But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. The text for this is,
He climbed the high mountain,
He captured the enemy and seized the booty,
He handed it all out in gifts to the people.
Is it not true that the One who climbed up also climbed down, down to the valley of earth? And the One who climbed down is the One who climbed back up, up to highest heaven. He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
He prepared to make us in his image like him.
That we may be seen as one like him, of him, in him, and for him.Preparing to make us intently fervent in faith and honor to him.
Living Water Ministries 