Our Unity Based in the Victor

Ephesians 4:7-13

In the first section of Ephesians 4 Paul is making a clear plea for unity of the body of Christ, and he is continuing his instructions on unity here is these verses. These verses however direct us more toward the reason and basis for our unity.

In verse 7 Paul says But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. What is significant about grace? It is undeserved. It is God giving what he had no obligation to give. Why do we not deserve salvation? Because we rebelled against God. We are the ones who rebelled, and we continue to break the covenant. One commentator, Charles Hodge, renders the last half of this verse, “each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” How much and what we are given is according to Christ and Him alone. And the fact that he gives us gifts is a sure sign of his grace. We were once the enemy and now Christ gives us gifts in order that we might serve him in his mission. Verse 8 is a quotation from Psalm 68, and the idea here is the conqueror giving the spoils to his people.

In verses 9-10 we have an idea that could be debated for many hours. The verses read, “He also descended into the lower parts of the earth.” A regular cross-reference for this verse is in 1 Peter and says that Jesus entered Hades and preached to the captives. As you come to your own conclusion or if you have come to your own conclusion, what would be the point of Christ preaching to those in Hades if they were already there? Would they be allowed to leave and enter heaven? For all salvation came by faith even before Christ. The idea here in my opinion is that the lower parts of the earth would be his incarnation and dwelling on the earth. A reference maybe to his ultimate humiliation on the cross my mentioning the lower parts of the earth. His coming down to a level below his true stature. The idea is that Christ the great Victor entered earth in the realm of humanity in order to deliver man out of our enslavement to sin.

In verses 11-13 we see that Christ is the one who gives us gifts and why we have those gifts. In verse 11 what is significant about each of these listed? They are all positions based on gifts given. They are all gifts given by the spirit. They all have a unique purpose in the process of bringing others to salvation. Is this a thorough or exhaustive list of gifts? No. Because we see in verse 12 that these gifts are for the edifying of the body of Christ. These gifts are for the equipping of the saints. The building up of the body of Christ. What is the work of service God has called us to? Evangelism, the Mission of God. Could possibly even be service to one another, but most importantly, it is living in and fulfilling the will of God for ourselves in this life. To become Christ-like. Verse 13 is a description of what we are to strive for: a mature man, the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Unity based in Christ.

What is the central focus or purpose of the church? To make God known.

Why then are we given gifts? To edify/build up the believers so that God may be made known.