Ephesians is a very good book of the Bible. Not that any one book of the Bible is better than another, but Ephesians, I have found, is a good book to look at the Christian Character. It is brief in respects to other Book, but it has very specific commands for the Christian, whither New or Old. It is in this book that we find the first bit of Scripture I would like to look at. Ephesians 4:3-13 states:
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men." 9 (Now this, "He ascended"--what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;What does that all mean? It can be confusing, but it need not be. The first several verses (Ephesians 4:3-6) establishes the Unity which is within the Spirit. The Spirit is our Peace, and the one Hope we have. Truly, we are United within One Body in One Baptism for One Lord. Note the repetition of One. Clearly, Paul is not trying to say that all Believers are the same person. Rather, he is showing us that, because of the Spirit, we are United as One. Verse 6 goes on to say we Serve the Father who is above all. Brothers and Sisters, this is a Glorious thing! Our God is above all, above everything that we could ever face! What an Awesome God we serve!
Now, what does the rest of the verses say? It's all well and good to know the Peace and Unity of of the Spirit and the Power of the Lord, but there is even more. Well, the verses further establish the Power of Christ's Salvation, but there is another important part that I do not what you to miss (I do not want you to miss Christ's Salvation either, yet that is not the focus of this post).
One thing that people might notice in this passage of Scripture is that Paul mentions gifts. What are these gifts? What is Paul talking about? Let us look at verses 11 and 12 for a moment.
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,Paul is saying that God gave us each our own gifts for our own ministry on earth. Some may have been looking and looking for their ministry, yet they didn't realize that is was as simple as looking into themselves. I am not saying your ministry is yourself; I am saying your ministry is you. Let me explain. Your ministry is your life, your existence, your very being. People cry out for a ministry and wonder and wonder what it is. I can tell you from experience, we have the wrong idea, how we live and what we do with what God has given us is our ministry. God has hardwired us all differently for different jobs, as evidenced in this passage, but we are called to a Life of Ministry, to edify the Body of Christ.
I realize that what I just said is not very clear. Some could say that I am not correctly portraying Scripture. I would like to point to Romans 12:3-8, which exemplifies what I am saying.
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
This passage points out that each has their own measure of faith. It warns that we should not think more highly of ourself than we ought, but to think soberly, or with a clear mind. That is, while I might be a teacher, and you might be a layman, that does not mean I am more than your in Christ, nor does it mean you are more than me. What God has given to us for our ministry is meant for our ministry, and whatever gifts He may haven given, so use in the measure of faith. That is not to say that just because you don't feel like Serving the Lord that you can just push it aside for that day. This means, as much as was given is how much should be returned. For, truly, any talent you may have is not from you, but from the Lord, and what is His should be used for Him.
I am not saying it is not hard. It will be. It calls for something more than yourself, but as J.F. Baldwin said, "It may be a truism to say that no one is perfect, but the redeemed Christian, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is called to perfection" (1).
We have started talking about something that is very important. As I have mentioned, we all have gifts from the Holy Spirit. I have said that you shouldn't think too highly of yourself, and that we are called to perfection. All of this has been centered around the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. However, we haven't gotten into the meat of the issue. What are the gifts? Well, then we must look into the Scriptures to really understand. For this, I would like to point your attention to 1 Corinthians 12-14. (Ch. 12, 13, 14) I have linked these passages in the interest of space, but I encourage you to read them before continuing.
Now, not everyone has the same Spiritual Gifts. While I might have Discernment, another person might Speak in Tongues. As Paul says in Chapter 12, verses 4 through 6:
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
We are all called to our own works in the Spirit. Just like we are all different parts of the Body of Christ, we all have different functions. Yet, this doesn't matter because Paul goes on to say the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each for the profit of all (1 Corinthians 12:7). I would say, the mouth eats to nourish the body while the feet walk to move the body, yet both are important and benefit the whole.
What's even more wonderful is that these gifts are from God! As the Spirit is God and it is by the Spirit we receive our gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11). I rejoice in this fact. I know that what I do in the Lord will be worked out, for Jesus said all things are possible for God (Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27, Mark 14:36, Luke 18:27) and that all things are possible for those who believe (Mark 9:23). With promises like that, I know I can do whatever the Lord has for me.
The rest of 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12 warns that no one should want to do what others do in the Spirit because they do not. Paul makes a very valid point. We are a Body of Believers, and, without parts, there would be no body. Likewise, body parts do not all do the same things, and the same is true with believers.
1 Corinthians 13 has to be one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. The whole point is that Love is the most important part of any Christian. Paul tells us that we would do anything and lack love, making whatever we've done without profit (1 Corinthians 13:3). Christ Himself said the first two Commandments, both which center on Love, are the Greatest of the Commandments and on which the Law and the Prophets hang (Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:29-33).
The characteristics of Love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) are characteristics all Christians should have. Love is long suffering (patient), kind, does not envy, is not proud (parading) or boastful (puffed up). Love is not rude, does not seek it's own, is not provoked, and does not think evil. Love turns the other cheek and does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth. Love endures and is hopeful. If any Believer needs a list of how he/she needs to be, this is it.
Chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians is an interesting chapter to read. I have actually had debate with people on the content of this chapter. I hope to clear up some misconceptions that people may have about what is actually being discussed here. I think it would be good to take this chapter at its words and not look for too much more than what is plainly said.
I love the first part of verse 1. Paul says here to "pursue love." What is being said? Chase after love, seek it out. To pursue is to be active. Actively chase after love. When I read that verse, I am filled with awe for the Author and Finisher of Our Faith. We know that God is Love, and we are told to pursue love. We are being told to pursue God!
Then Paul tells us to "desire spiritual gifts." Desire, for the most part is a passive term, which fits very well with what Paul already told us. The Holy Spirit gives gifts, and we need not look for what we do not have. What we are being told is to want spiritual gifts, not to look for the spiritual gifts of others.
Now we get to the the debatable part of the chapter. Isn't it sad that we haven't even finished verse one and debate already begins? I believe it is, but there are those who will speak out when they do not understand, and those who will speak when they understand falsely.
I want to make this clear, Paul is not saying prophesy more important than speaking in tongues. He is also not saying that we should not speak in tongues. If anyone tells you that he is making either claim, do not listen to them. What Paul says is that tongues are signs for unbelievers and prophesy is for believers. Yes, I am aware Paul says "he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues" (verse 5). However, he says in the same breath, "unless indeed he interprets." Paul said this because prophesy edifies, or builds up, the church (verse 4). Yet we find that with someone to interpret, speaking in tongues does the same thing (verse 5). You cannot take one verse and make it stand alone, because the Bible is the Whole Word of God, not the divided word.
The problem with tongues is when they come without meaning. I was once a part of a church that put a lot of stock into speaking in tongues. Unfortunately, many felt that you had to speak in tongues or you were not bathed in the Holy Spirit. I had many discussions about this with several members of the church about this and pointed this very chapter to them. This was all to no effect. Prophesy is great about it comes from the Spirit and can reveal much. Tongues, lest there is an interpretation, can confuse and cloud. Yet never does Paul say either is bad.
20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
Have you ever seen a baby be cruel? Have you seen a baby hate? Curse? I know I haven't, and I have worked in a child care center. In hatefulness, cruelty, and cursing, be like a baby. Don't do it. However, make every effort for understanding so that you may be mature. This is why I write and study, to be mature in my understanding and so that others may be mature in their's.
Paul goes on to speak on orderly worship. I have never seen a church do this. Yet, does that mean we shouldn't go to church? Of course not. However we do need to take all of this into account, especially if we use our gifts in church.
From here on, I will not speak on this chapter. I am not ready at this time to tackle the most debated issue in this part of Scripture. I do not think I am mature enough yet to speak on it. I know the words well, and I cannot tell you any more than what Paul said about women in church. I have no deep insight and do not know what to say but to say I do not know.
I hope this provided a better look at the gifts of the Spirit. I encourage you, reader, to study this for yourself and look for the love of God. Pursue love with all you have. It is a many and wondrous thing to serve God the Father, to be redeemed in Christ Jesus, and to be comforted by the Spirit.
1. Baldwin, Jeff F. The Twelve Trademarks of Great Literature. Oregon City, OR: Fishermen Press, 2002
