Ephesians 4:7-10 Podcast
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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.) (Ephesians 4:7-10)
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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.) (Ephesians 4:7-10)
In v.7 Paul writes about how each Christian is gifted by Christ with various gifts of His grace. When we were born again, the Holy Spirit came bearing gifts. Christ gave to us each a gift in a measure suited to His good purposes for each of us. This means that we are not an accident in the body of Christ. This is how the church demonstrates the power and presence of God in the sight of those around us.
This power, which is in each believer, is released when we exercise the spiritual gifts that we've been given. This is largely a forsaken practice today. If we are to influence those around us, it will be by a return to the exercise of each person's spiritual gift.
There are two kinds of gifts mentioned here in v.7. One Paul calls the measure of the other. "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." Note Paul's emphasis here: "grace has been given." This is the gift of the Spirit. Paul employs the Greek word "charis", which means "grace." Literally Paul is saying, "grace has been graced to us." This is a great reminder, it is all of grace. Even the faith and the gifts we exercise, it is all of grace.
In v.8, the Apostle quotes the 68th Psalm. "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people." Paul places emphasis on Christ's triumphal march, because v.8-10 is an explanation of the previous phrase in v.7, "as Christ apportioned it." He is bringing these two, the gift and the power, together. Gifts are the ability to do certain specific ministries, but the power that is needed is different.
Our gifts are not the same as our talents. Our gifts are divinely-given abilities requiring the power of God to exercise them. Resurrection power operates in the midst of weakness and death, when everything around us is lifeless. It needs no human support, and is not thwarted by obstacles.
This power is that which changes the human heart. This power causes us to turn from self to turn to the Savior. The only thing that can limit this power is the limiting nature of faithlessness. Note I didn't say the size of our faith. It is the unwillingness to exercise our faith. As faith is exercised, we will discover that our ministry effectiveness will grow.
The goal of the exercising of our faith and gifts is that the whole universe being filled with Christ. When we willingly step through the doors God opens for us and we depend upon the Holy Spirit's power, there will be no limit to the spread of the truth throughout our universe.
Finally, did you notice the phrase in v.8: "he took many captives?" Who were the captives? We were. Anyone enslaved to sin and separated from God. This is what it looks like for the glory of God to fill the whole universe. One day, this will be the reality. Everyone in that place will long to worship the Lord Jesus, rendering to Him our hearts and souls because of what He has done to free us from our captor.
