4:11
Perhaps the key theme of Ephesians is that everything is God- focused, even Christ-focused, and that theme continues here. It is Christ who gave “apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. No one can choose to be one of these without Christ. In Paul’s day there were various false apostles and prophets, with Corinth being infected with false apostles. Today, it is perhaps false teachers that are the biggest problem. Anyone who teaches out of their own wisdom or imagination is not a teacher given by Christ. For all these ministries the Word of God has to be our primary source and measuring line.
4:12
The purpose of these ministries is not to fulfil us, it is not to build up our egos. Our purpose is to “equip the saints” and this is done “for works of service”. We don’t feed people in order to entertain, or to tickle their ears, or to make them “fat”. It is in order to equip them for the works of service that God has for them. Remember that in Eph 2:10 Paul told us that God created us in Christ Jesus for good works.
No comments:
Post a Comment