Ephesians 4:7-10

Ephesians 4:7-10

But grace was being given to each one of us according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  Therefore it says, “After ascending into the heights he made captive the ones in captivity; He gave gifts to men.”  And what is this “He ascended” except that He also descended into the lower regions of the earth?  The one who descended is Himself the one who ascended above all the heavens in order that he should make all things complete.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

In this passage Paul helps turn us from the character of the church to the function of the church.  We’ll get far more specific with respect to the function of the church in the days to come.  But notice the first thing that Paul says when turning us to function.  We receive according to the measure of Christ.  Don’t ever forget that we receive.  It is not our qualities that make us great.  We can be great because God imparts Himself in us through Christ.

Why is it easy to think about how great we are?  Why is it difficult to always remember that it is God who imparts anything worthwhile into us in the first place?

Second Thought:

Then Paul quotes Psalm 68:18.  However, he makes a rather huge change to the text.  In Psalm 68:18, the king ascending demands and receives gifts.  However, when Paul uses this scripture in reference to Jesus he changes so that the rising king does not receive gifts but rather give gifts.  This is the difference between God and mankind.  Mankind dominates over something and demands gifts from those over whom we dominate.  God dominates over us and blesses us in His domination.

Why do human beings seek to dominate over one another?  Why does God desire to be over us?  Over whom do you dominate and do you appear more like God or mankind to those whom you dominate?

Third Thought:

Then Paul ends with what always comes across as a very confusing passage.  Here’s what Paul is trying to say.  The same person who descended from heaven to come and live upon earth is the same person who ascended into heaven to be with the Father.  The same Jesus who righteously ascended into heaven is the one who came down out of love to teach us and model a godly life for us.  This is indeed God’s righteousness at work.

Does it seem unusual that a God who is so righteous would desire to come and dwell among human beings?  From what perspective is this unusual?  From what perspective is this not unusual?

Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 4:11-13