Ephesians 4:10-16 Open your bibles and follow along as I give you key word meanings.

 

VS 10 – Jesus ascended to heaven to fulfill all things

 

VS 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

 

VS 12 – Why?? For the work of ministry (Ergon = to do a thing)

 

Ministry – working in the office of ministering of divine things

“diakonia”

“service”

 

Office meaning – a subdivision of a governmental department.

When we are operating in our office of ministry, our office is in the government of the Kingdom of Christ.

Just like in an office in the corporate world, mentorship in the Church is vital.

 

VS 13 – for building the body, how long? Until all attain to the unity of faith and of the knowledge (Epigiaosis - full knowing of divine things of Christ)

 

VS 13 – to a mature (teleious = adulthood, full grown in the Christian faith) manhood

It is clear this maturity is to happen now through Paul.

 

VS 13 – To the measure of the stature of the fullness (Pleroma = Container being full) of Christ.

This full measure can only be achieved with the body of Christ and its offices.

 

VS 14 – Why? So we may no longer be children (naipoos = immature Christians) tossed…..”

1 Corinthians 3:1 “not as spiritual but babies”

 

And carried about by every wind of doctrine (teaching coming from men).

 

VS 14 – by human cunning (deception or trickery) by craftiness of deceitful schemes.

 

VS 15 – Rather speaking the truth (sound doctrine “healthy” teachings that are from the Word of God) not the counterfeit with sincerity

 

VS 15 – in Love (agape), we are to grow up in every way into Him to love in Spirit.

Who is the head (the Chief Jesus) Christ.

 

Jesus is our example and He is the boss of the Five Fold.

 

VS 16 – and when every-body part and the offices are working properly, the body grows and builds itself in love.

 

Now you see, without the Five Fold, unity, and sound doctrine of Jesus Christ, there will not be unity and many may stay as babies being tossed by every wind of doctrine and going where their ears are itched.

 

Then I say, regretfully, that the body will not grow up in love because the truth will bot be spoken in “one accord” (truth and love are inseparable). So how can we mature as a body of fellowship? And all of the Five Fold to flourish by Christ and in love.

 

Apostles have a part, Prophets have a part, Evangelists have a part, Teachers have a part and Pastors have a part to play in the body of Christ. Our Lord operated in all five, let the Word of God be our guidelines as Christ Jesus our Master being the head.