Having spoken about the unity in the church (vv.1-6) Paul now speaks of the diversity in the church. Perhaps passages like this are easy for you to understand, perhaps not. For me living and ministering in Bahrain, passages about diversity hit very close to home.
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he captured captives; he gave gifts to men.” Now what is the meaning of “he ascended,” except that he also descended to the lower regions, namely, the earth? He, the very one who descended, is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.”
(Ephesians 4.7-10, NET)
Whilst we are unified through the saving grace of God (vv.4-6) we are also uniquely and individually gifted (vv.7-8, cf. 1 Corinthians 12.12-13). Paul quotes from the big picture of Psalm 68 and says that, simply, for those associated with Christ there are gifts and graces (vv.9-10). The imagery is one of a military victor giving the spoils to his loyal soldiers.
The gifts, as we will talk about tomorrow, are for the building up of the church rather than the believer’s own good. For today, consider the truth that if you are a believer in Jesus there is grace and a gift waiting for you (v.7) that is to be used for God’s glory and the people around you.
James Travis 