“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”
My Notes
What Does Ephesians 4:11 Mean?
Paul describes the gifts Christ gave to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These are not spiritual gifts in the sense of 1 Corinthians 12. They are gifted people — leaders given to the church for specific purposes.
The purpose (v.12): for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. The leaders exist to equip the saints to do ministry. The leaders are not the only ministers. They equip everyone else to minister.
The five roles cover different dimensions: apostles (sent ones who plant), prophets (those who hear and speak God's word), evangelists (those who proclaim good news to the unconverted), pastors (shepherds who care for the flock), and teachers (those who instruct in doctrine).
The gifts are from Christ himself — "he gave." The leaders are presents from Jesus to his church. Their presence is not a human achievement. It is a divine gift.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Which of the five roles — apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher — has most shaped your faith?
- 2.How does 'perfecting the saints for the work of the ministry' redefine who does ministry?
- 3.What does it mean that these leaders are gifts from Christ rather than human appointments?
- 4.How does your church reflect the equipping model versus the performance model?
Devotional
He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. Christ gave gifts to the church — not objects but people. Specific people for specific roles.
Apostles who plant. Prophets who speak. Evangelists who proclaim. Pastors who care. Teachers who instruct. Each role addresses a different need in the body. None is sufficient alone. All are necessary together.
For the perfecting of the saints. The leaders are not meant to do all the ministry. They are meant to equip everyone else to do it. The goal is a mature, functioning body where every member is active — not a passive audience watching professionals perform.
For the work of the ministry. The work belongs to the saints — all believers. The leaders prepare them for it. The ministry is not the pastor's job. It is the church's job. The pastor's job is to get the church ready.
Christ gave these people as gifts. If you have a faithful pastor, a truth-telling prophet, a passionate evangelist, or a clear teacher in your life — they are presents from Jesus. Receive them as such.
And if you are one of these — recognize that you are a gift. Not for your own glory. For the perfecting of the saints.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And he gave some apostles,.... That is, he gave them gifts by which they were qualified to be apostles; who were such as…
And he gave some, apostles - He gave some to be apostles. The “object” here is to show that he has made ample provision…
He gave some, apostles - He established several offices in his Church; furnished these with the proper officers; and, to…
Here the apostle proceeds to more particular exhortations. Two he enlarges upon in this chapter: - To unity an love,…
And he gave The "He" is emphatic; it was He who gave. See above on Eph 4:7. Immediately, the Holy Spirit is the Giver…
Cross References
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