One Big Picture: Learning from the Ephesian Epistle Pt II

Continuing the walk through chapter 4 of Apostle Paul's letter to the Church in Ephesus. You can read the first post here. It explains the process so you can study on your own if you want.

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 

8 This is why it says:“When he ascended on high,    he took many captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Scripture taken from Biblegateway

What's the point?

1) What's the point literally? 

Jesus gave each of God's children different gifts and abilities so that we have to work together/rely on one another--in unity to have His purpose for our lives accomplished.

Now, that sounds really simple doesn't it. Funny thing, it really is that simple. "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." The meaning of the word grace (found here ) is really interesting. The grace we've been given 'kindles us to exercise Christian virtues". 

Paul had just finished explaining what the characteristics of a redeemed person look like, and here he's telling the church at Ephesus that Christ already gave them the grace to walk confidently and successfully in those virtues! 

Semantics Antics

Apportioned-- Each person gets a gift or gift set that was chosen specifically for them. Christ gave grace in proportion to the gifts. "Portion" the root of apportioned, intimates that the grace we each receive is part of a greater whole. We are pieces that fit together from the same source--complete in the original, that is Jesus. 

2)What's the point personally?

Our gifts are meant to be used in unity. The unity comes from the source of the grace we each have. There's no valid reason to be jealous or envious of another's gifts. Just like the grace we have to enable the use of these God given virtues, the virtues themselves are from that same source and fit together perfectly. 

I used to think that unity in Christ was more about getting along with one another. After all, they will know us by our love for one another. It seems that there's more to it than that. Unity in mind and purpose is the only ways the gifts can work together. If I have a heart of jealousy towards someone, it's unlikely that my heart will be sensitive to hear God's voice, to meet their needs, or to be helpful in anyway. Now, if we champion one another, kindling each other to express the virtues (the gifts and fruits) that Christ empowered us by His grace proportionately--imagine what can be accomplished!