for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Truth to Learn
All Christians have gifts to be used in the church.
Behind the Words
The Greek word translated “equipping” is katartismos. This word is made up of kata, meaning “down” but used here as an intensifier and a derivative of artios, meaning “to finish, to adjust, or to repair.” The fundamental meaning of katartismos is “to be put in the proper condition.”
“Ministry” is from diakonia which means “attending to someone like a servant would do,” that is, “serving.”
“Edifying” is translated from the Greek word oikodomē, which is a compound word made up of oikos, meaning “a house” or “a dwelling place” and a derivative of demō, meaning “to build.” Thus, oikodomē specifically refers to “building a house” and in common usage it means “to build or strengthen something.”
Meaning Explained
For the past few verses Paul has been talking about the gifts which Christ gave to men (Ephesians 4:8) when he ascended to heaven following His victory over death and Satan. Some of those spiritual gifts were mentioned in yesterday’s verse. These gifts include the gift of apostleship, the gift of prophecy, the gift of evangelism, the gift of pastoring, and the gift of teaching (the last two given together to those who pastor churches).
Too often, people in churches believe that it is the pastor’s job to evangelize the lost and to teach church truths. They also tend to believe that it is up to the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers to build up the body of Christ. According to Paul, however, that is not correct. In today’s verse we learn that the job of these gifted men is to prepare ordinary church-goers to do the work of ministry.
I can just hear you say, “Wait a minute! I thought that the pastor was the minister of our church.” He is, but so are you! Each of us in the church is supposed to be ministering. Our pastors’ jobs include overseeing the local assembly and teaching us. Part of that teaching is Christian doctrine. Another part of his job is teaching us how we can all build up the body of Christ. Here’s how Paul expressed it in 1Corinthians 12:7,
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (1 Corinthians 12:7)
In other words, the spiritual gifts are given to each one of us, not for our own benefit, but for the benefit of the entire body of Christ. No matter what spiritual gift you have (wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues, teaching, pastoring, helps, exhortation, administration, giving, leading, mercy) the purpose of that gift is to build up other Christians. No matter what gift or gifts you have, if you are using it (or them) for your own benefit, then you are misusing that gift. According to today’s verse, we are to be using our gifts to build up the body of Christ.
Application
Do you know what your spiritual gift is? If not, look through the list above and pray to God that He will reveal what your gift is. When you know what your spiritual gift is, look for ways to use that gift in your local church, and then get to work! We all have a job to do; let’s all do our part.
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.