QUESTION: Please explain further
Ephesians 4:7-14.
ANSWER: Note first of all (for ease of understanding) that verses 9 and 10 are parenthetically expressed and are not germane to the issue at hand. Verse 7 states that Christ gives to every obedient person the gift of His grace according to His measure. For example: Acts 2:38 teaches that those who are immersed for (in order to attain) the remission of sins “shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” What did this mean to the people who lived then and what does this mean for you and me today? Allow the Bible to explain! Acts 3:19 is a parallel passage to Acts 2:38. They teach the same thing and explain each other! Peter is saying the same thing to the Jews on Solomon’s porch as he was to the Jews on Pentecost, i.e.; he preached the same sermon and extended the same invitation! Acts 2:38: “Repent, and be baptized for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 3:19: “Repent, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. The “gift of the Holy Spirit” or “the refreshing that comes from the presence of the Lord” is the many blessings each Christian derives from the Holy Spirit according to Christ’s measure. In the first century, the many blessings (times of refreshing) from the Holy Spirit would have included miraculous gifts. Today, the many blessings (times of refreshing) from the Holy Spirit do not include miraculous gifts, because their purpose has ceased to exist. What blessings are derived today? Many, not the least of which are forgiveness, mercy, grace, and the hope of heaven!
Verse 8 of Ephesians says basically that when He ascended on high, having overcome the captivity of death, He gave gifts unto men. The gifts could not have been given unless He first returned to heaven from which he had come. Jesus so said in John 16:7, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the comforter (Holy Ghost) will not come to you (the apostles); but if I depart I will send Him to you.”
Verse 11 relates to whom the gifts were given (not how or how many), i.e.,apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors (elders), and teachers. Verse 12 explains reasons for giving the gifts: Perfecting (maturing) of the saints (Christians), for the work of the ministry (proclamation of the gospel in all the world), and edifying the church.
Verse 13 limits the duration of the gifts: “Till,” an adverb of time, we all come to the oneness (unity) of “the” faith; not simply “faith,” but to a unified system of faith (the gospel) by which, and through which, we can have full knowledge of the Son of God that will enable us to be complete/mature and walking in the image of Christ! When this knowledge would become attainable through that which was, and is, is able to make a person “perfect/mature (2 Timothy 3:16-17), the gifts would cease to be. The very same thing is taught in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10!
Verse 14 says that with our coming of age (no longer as children or the immature – 1 Corinthians 13:11) we will not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine taught by those who deceive . . . but speaking the truth (John 17:17 – “Thy word is truth”) in love one may mature up into Christ in “all” things. How do we know false doctrine (John 8:32)? What is our maturation agent (I Peter 2:2)? The gospel of Jesus Christ!