Ephesians: His Glorious RichesSample

Paul is continuing to help us work through the implications of our glorious salvation (4:1). The first application is to the church – it has a God-given unity which we must work hard to maintain (4:2–6). But what will this look like? Does it mean that we will all be identical in our experiences, gifts and Christian service? Are Christians just clones with no variety, diversity or variability? Paul addresses this in verses 7–16. Every Christian is unique and valuable. The church is a body with many parts – each of them fulfilling their God-given, unique function. Each of us is to be committed to the church and to use our spiritual gifts for its health and growth. 

Firstly, he reminds them that every Christian – without exception – has been given at least one spiritual gift (vv. 7, 16). Such a gift is a capacity for service for the good of the body of Christ. The word used here is charis or grace – something we do not earn. Both salvation (2:4–8) and spiritual gifts are freely and generously given to people who do not deserve them. 

There are five lists of gifts in the Bible (Rom. 12:6–8; 1 Cor. 12:8–10, 28–30; Eph. 4:11–12; 1 Pet. 4:10–11). They can be dramatic or comparatively mundane, but are nevertheless gifts. 

Secondly, Paul tells us three times that the gifts have been given directly by Jesus Christ (vv. 7–8, 11). When Jesus ascended to Heaven after His resurrection, He defeated His enemies and, like a mighty conqueror, He distributed gifts to His followers (vv. 8–10; Ps. 68:18). The ascended Christ gave the Holy Spirit to the church and with the Spirit comes spiritual gifts. 

If the gifts are given by Christ, we cannot boast about them. There is no room for pride. But neither should we despise them in ourselves or in others, or think that it is humble to decry or even belittle our gifts. This dishonours the giver. Instead, be grateful and be useful! To identify our gifts, we need to ask several questions: 

• What are my natural capacities? 
• What do I enjoy doing? 
• What do my circumstances or experiences enable me to do?
• What do I get excited about? 
• What seems to bear good fruit?
• Most importantly of all, what do other mature Christians, who know me well, think?

Reflection

Do you know what your gifts are? Look at the five Bible lists above. Ask someone you trust to help you think it through. Once you have a clear idea about this, you need to roll up your sleeves and get involved!