"7But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift." - Ephesians 4:7 (NASB)
In Ephesians 4:7, Paul highlights the transition from the collective to the individual aspect, emphasizing that “to each one of us grace was given”. Every believer is given a spiritual gift for the common good of the church (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11). This underscores the personal nature of the spiritual gifts bestowed upon every believer by the Holy Spirit. The New Testament provides representative lists of these gifts1, rather than exhaustive ones, as indicated by the diverse listings and their sequence.
Paul also addresses potential obstacles that can hinder the effectiveness of these spiritual gifts. Believers are cautioned against boasting about their gifts, comparing one gift with another, or seeking to narrowly define the specific characteristics of each gift. Instead, the focus is on the reality of a called and gifted ministerial family, emphasizing a collective responsibility and service-oriented mindset within the community of believers.
The phrase “according to the measure of Christ’s gift”, further underscores the significance of Jesus Christ as God’s ultimate gift to humanity. The attributes of Christ, often referred to as the “gifts of the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12), and His ministry, described as “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23), are shared among His people. This sharing of attributes and ministry ensures the advancement of the gospel through unity and collaboration in the Spirit.
In summary, understanding this is incredibly important for all of us. It doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are, or what your educational level is – I want you to know that God has empowered you with a spiritual gift when you were saved. This gift could be a natural talent or a newfound source of strength, but the truth is that it is God who energizes, utilizes, empowers, and directs these gifts to the believer. This means that no one is insignificant in the church. Everyone has a part in the body of Christ. Unless all of us are functioning, we cannot be the church God desires us to be. These gifts are intended for the health and growth of the collective church. They were never meant to be badges of merit that we flaunt, boasting about “how wonderful we are,” “how spiritual we are,” or “what great leaders we are.” I believe these spiritual gifts should be the towels of service we gird around our waist and use to wipe our brother’s feet. If you are led by the Spirit, the unmistakable manifestation of the Spirit will be in serving others, not in collecting personal merit badges. May God help us all!
- A booklet that provides a comprehensive study of these gifts – Affirming the Will of God by Paul Little ↩︎
Leave a Reply