INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS STUDY , Ron Ward
HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN
Passage: Ephesians 4:7~13  
Key verse: 12
7 But to each one of us(A) grace(B) has been given(C) as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says:
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended(F) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)(G) 11 So Christ himself gave(H) the apostles,(I) the prophets,(J) the evangelists,(K) the pastors and teachers,(L) 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ(M) may be built up(N) 13 until we all reach unity(O) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God(P) and become mature,(Q) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.(R)
Footnotes
- Ephesians 4:8 Or God
- Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
- Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
Cross references
- Ephesians 4:7 : 1Co 12:7, 11
- Ephesians 4:7 : S Ro 3:24
- Ephesians 4:7 : S Ro 12:3
- Ephesians 4:8 : Col 2:15
- Ephesians 4:8 : Ps 68:18
- Ephesians 4:10 : Pr 30:1-4
- Ephesians 4:10 : Eph 1:23
- Ephesians 4:11 : ver 8
- Ephesians 4:11 : 1Co 12:28; Eph 2:20; 3:5; 2Pe 3:2; Jude 17
- Ephesians 4:11 : S Ac 11:27; Ro 12:6; 1Co 12:10, 28; 13:2, 8; 14:1, 39; Eph 2:20; 3:5; 2Pe 3:2
- Ephesians 4:11 : Ac 21:8; 2Ti 4:5
- Ephesians 4:11 : Ac 13:1; Ro 2:21; 12:7; 1Co 12:28; 14:26; 1Ti 1:7; Jas 3:1
- Ephesians 4:12 : S 1Co 12:27
- Ephesians 4:12 : S Ro 14:19
- Ephesians 4:13 : ver 3, 5
- Ephesians 4:13 : S Php 3:8
- Ephesians 4:13 : S 1Co 2:6; Col 1:28
- Ephesians 4:13 : Jn 1:16; Eph 1:23; 3:19
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. He gave gifts of grace (7-12)
There is one Lord, but there is a diversity of gifts which Christ gives the captives he sets free. Christ, who descended to this world in his incarnation, ascended to the highest heavens and poured out his Spirit on his own people. He equips his Church to serve him. Each of us receives different gifts, but every gift he gives has one purpose: To prepare God's people for service so that the whole body of Christ may be built up (12).
2. Until we become mature (13)
Divisions among God's people are a mark of immaturity. The goal of our growth is unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God--that is, maturity in Christ. We must encourage one another, and build up one another. And, instead of competing with one another, we must each strive to grow in Christ's love and in knowledge of him until we attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Prayer: Lord, help me to use the gifts you have given me to glorify your name and build up your people.
One Word: Build up the body of Christ