Ephesians 4:11-16

Ephesians 4:11-16
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the quipping of the saints for the work of services, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.   As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves  and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
The emphasis of these verses is the building up of the body—not on spiritual gifts, as some like to emphasize.
God’s Plan: To build up the body: 1) Unity in Faith; 2) Unity in knowledge

• 3) Becoming mature—to the full measure of Christ.  Character traits:
  • Responsible; Self-control; Not selfish

1 Corinthians 2:14—a natural (immature) man cannot be spiritual

• 1 Corinthians 3:1-3—they had the Spirit, but they were not spiritual
  • Having the power of the Spirit is potential to obey God—not automatic obedience

Hebrews 5:13-14—Solid food is putting God’s word into practice; Participating with righteousness—can then discern good and evil


A mature person can discern right and wrong, and thereby practice God’s will.

• John 4:31-34—Jesus’ food is doing His Father’s will
• Matthew 7:21-23—Just calling Him Lord and using His power does not mean I am doing His will.
• Deuteronomy 13:1-4—what matters is obedience to God.  IF a prophet has signs that come true and tells you to worship another God, don’t listen to him.
• 1 Corinthians 2:14-16—a spiritual man is able to discern the value of all things, through the knowledge of the Holy Spirit
  • Ephesians 4:14—he won’t be “tossed around” but firm in that knowledge

Ephesians 4:15-16—Our unity is God’s love and kindness

• Romans 2:4--God’s kindness leads us to repentance

Ephesians 4:17-19—there is only one head--Christ.  We either have a head or we do not have a head.

• Those who do not know the Lord are “darkened in their understanding” because they do not have a head.

In short, to be a member of the Body of Christ is all about relationship and service--first to our Head, and then to the other members of the Body.  God bless you in your effort to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, and let Him cause the growth!