A diversity of gifts in one body is presented in the Epistle to the Ephesians. After dwelling strongly on the manifestation of unity, the Apostle goes on to say, “Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men” (Eph. 4:7-87But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Ephesians 4:7‑8)). The word “grace” used here is not the display of grace by which sinners are saved, but rather that by which believers are endowed with the gifts of an ascended Christ. The grace, of course, is the same in both instances, but exercised in a different manner.
Purpose and Distribution of Gifts
There is a marked distinction between the way in which gifts are spoken of in this epistle and in the Epistle to the Corinthians. In Corinthians the teaching is not so much with respect to the origin of gifts but with their distribution and exercise. This is the proper circle of the Spirit’s activity. “To one,” we read, “is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit,” and so on through the other gifts, “but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will” (1 Cor. 12:8-11). The Spirit is sovereign in regulating the exercise of gift in the assembly, and thus all gifts that might be used in the assembly are taken into account —whether sign gifts or those more particularly for the edification of the body. In Ephesians the emphasis is more on the origin and object of gift — “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:1212For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:12)). The origin is Christ Himself, acting in His acquired rights as the victorious, risen and ascended man. This agrees with the general character of the epistle. In chapter 1 we read, “The God of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” (Eph. 1:17,20-2117That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (Ephesians 1:17)
20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (Ephesians 1:20‑21)). In virtue of this victory He now bestows gifts on believers.
A Gift for Everyone
Though some special gifts are named in Ephesians 4:1111And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11), the language used in verse 7 takes in a wider field. There we read, “Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Thus it is clear that all believers are entrusted with some gift to use for their absent Lord. The grace spoken of is not merely for a select few, but is “unto every one of us.” While the special gifts needed for public labor are confined to comparatively few, each believer has some gift for the edifying of the body. Ephesians 4:1616From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16) speaks of “that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part.” In Romans 12, where the faithful and diligent use of the gifts is brought out, such things as showing mercy, liberality and service in the widest sense of the word are included. A vast circle of responsibility and activity is thus opened up, and gifts are brought to light that are distinct both from the sign gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and from the gifts for public teaching.
A Special Class of Gifts
In Ephesians 4:1111And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11), however, the Apostle comes to a special class of gifts. “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” Here it does not say that the apostles received gifts, but that they were gifts. The gifts here are the individuals themselves — apostles, pastors, teachers and so on. No doubt apostles and prophets were foundation gifts, for the church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:2020And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20)). There is nothing said about the continuance of these gifts, and indeed it would be impossible for the gift of an apostle to continue, as one of the distinguishing features of an apostle was that He had been a witness of the Lord’s resurrection. Likewise the gift of a prophet was a foundation gift, to give out the mind of God until the Word of God was complete. It was to prophets as well as to the apostles that the truth of the church was revealed by the Spirit, and in some cases the prophet also foretold future events. In these characters the gift of a prophet was only temporary. No doubt the use of prophesying to edify, exhort and comfort the people of God continues, but this is not properly the gift of a prophet, for Paul could say to the Corinthians, “Ye may all prophesy one by one” (1 Cor. 14:31).
Gifts and Unity
Finally, we might say that all gifts, whether used publicly or privately, were in view of the unity of the body of Christ and to be exercised in the power of and in keeping with the unity of the Spirit of God. There is no thought in Scripture of the use of a gift without reference to the body of Christ, for the gifts represent the varied way in which Christ has provided for His body, yet all in unity. We humbly own that the outward manifestation of this unity has been sadly marred. However, the unity of the Spirit still exists, the gifts are still here, and it is a privilege as well as a great responsibility to act on what God has given to us.
Adapted from The Christian Friend, 1879