[VB060 Podcast Notes]

We have looked at Ephesian chapter 4, verses 4 through 6 and learned about everything we have in common – seven elements of unity centered on the three Persons of the Trinity. Now Paul switches to individuals, and we will see believers as single parts of the body. Paul begins with, “to each one of us,”

The gifts for unity in the church are given in verses 7-11. When Christ ascended He gave gifts to His people through the coming of the Holy Spirit. He also gave these gifted people to the local assemblies.

[4:7-11] 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,

While verses 1-6 deal with the one body and its unity, verses 7-11 deal with the many local bodies and the individual ministry gifts.

[4:7] But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Notice this is singular. “But unto each one of us.” Each Christian is given grace – the favor of God appointed by the Holy Spirit, manifesting power for ministry (service) in the body of Christ.

The context of this verse reveals that this is speaking of different gifts (Eph. 4:8 and 11). Some have the grace of God to be apostles, others prophets, others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers (Eph. 4:11).¹

[4:8] Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”

This phrase, “led captivity captive,” is referring to Jesus liberating the Old Testament saints. OT saints who died went to a place in the heart of the earth called Sheol. This word Sheol was translated “hell” in Psalms 16:10 where, prophesying of Jesus, it says, “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (cf. Acts 2:27-30).

The ungodly dead also went to Sheol, but Jesus’ teaching in Luke 16:19-31 shows that there was a great gulf fixed between the two. Those in torment (hell) envied those who were enjoying the blessings of the Lord in the part of Sheol that was called Abraham’s bosom or paradise.

Even though these OT saints were blessed, they were not able to enter into the presence of the Lord Himself, because the atonement of Christ had not been completed. So in that sense, they were captives. At the death of Jesus, He descended into Sheol and took these captives captive. He then took them to heaven, into the very presence of God, and vacated that part of Sheol. Now all that’s left in Sheol is hell. In the New Testament, the Greek word that is used to refer to this area is “Hades,” and it is only applied as a place of torment.

Now when verse 8 says, “He… gave gifts to men,” Paul is introducing the five ministry gifts to the church. His list is in verse 11.

[4:9] (Now this, “He ascended”–what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Lower means, Hades.^[2737] Paul is explaining his Psalm 68:18 quote in verse 8. Contrary to some teachers, there is no Biblical support for Jesus going to hell to suffer, but to rescue the saints from paradise.^[3857]

[4:10] He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

“That He might fill all things” Jesus went to heaven so “that He might fill or complete^[4137] all things.” Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father because the plan of redemption was completed.

[4:11] And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

Now to those who don’t believe that all five of these gifts to the church are still operating, Do you believe you are equipped for ministry or have been built up in the body (v. 12). Are you as children tossed around by the wind and waves (v. 14). We are still the church and we still need the gifts; Jesus hasn’t changed, and His body hasn’t changed.

Eph 2:20 (ESV) –built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Please don’t miss-use Ephesians 2:20 to claim the apostles and prophets were just for laying the foundation and are no longer needed. Jesus (in the same verse) is the cornerstone. Is He still needed? No building ever ceases to need it’s foundation. If we are a living building, we need a living foundation – our Cornerstone is alive!

We are built on the foundational teachings and the Scriptures that came through the apostles and prophets, and those same teachings and Scriptures are needed more today than ever. The ministries of the apostle and prophet are so misunderstood today, because of unbelief and rejection of foundational teachings and Scriptures, namely on the topic of the Holy Spirit.

The thought of Jesus giving His church gifts, and then after a certain 12 men die, He no longer supplies these gifts (even though the purpose for the gifts continues) is a thought from the pit of Hell.

¹Hammond, Studies In Ephesians, Our Step-by-Step Walk To Victory (Cornerstone, 1995)

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond