The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 4:7-10 “The Measure of Christ’s Gift” Eph 4:7 – “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Beyond the oneness described in verses 4-6, the personal touch is evidenced here. And what is grace? was given – aorist passive indicative Notice it has nothing to do with our wants or desires. And there is a participle before grace - the And it’s conditional – according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Wuest – ‘We must be careful to note that this grace has to do with the exercise of special gifts for service, not the grace for daily living. The former is limited, and is adjusted to the kind of gift and the extent to which the Holy Spirit desires to use that gift in the believer's service. The latter is unlimited and subject only to the limitations which the believer puts upon it by a lack of yieldedness to the Spirit.’ Do you agree with Wuest? The manifestation of this gift is through the power of the Holy Sprit. 1 July 22, 2018 Bob Eckel 1

The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 4:7-10 “The Measure of Christ’s Gift” 1 Cor 12:4 – Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. See Eph 4:11,12 Eph 4:8 – “Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” First, it’s important to note that all verbs are in the active tense. What’s it therefore? And He is not in the original text, thus, scripture says. Psalm 68:18 - You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the Lord God might dwell there. How’s everybody doing with their interpretation of this verse? Constable – ‘Some have alleged that Paul erred in his citation from Psalm 68:18 on at least two counts: He altered the verb of the psalm from 'received' to 'gave,' thus reversing its meaning, and 2 July 22, 2018 Bob Eckel 2

The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 4:7-10 “The Measure of Christ’s Gift” He gave an interpretation to the Old Testament passage that is unwarranted.’ Who is you in Psalm 68:18? McCalley – ‘The primary application of this passage refers to David’s capture of the Jebusite acropolis and his ascent with the ark up Mt. Zion (Psalm 24).’ When was His ascension, from the tomb or after His 40-day resurrection mission? And the Psalm 68 passage? Psalm 68:16,17 - Why do you fume with envy, you mountains of many peaks? This is the mountain which God desires to dwell in; Yes, the Lord will dwell in it forever. The chariots of God are twenty thousand, Even thousands of thousands; The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place. Who were/are the captives? All those who were in Satan’s control who were/are now being made captive to the risen Christ. Whatever, it is a symbol of triumph! Col 2:15 - Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 3 July 22, 2018 Bob Eckel 3

The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 4:7-10 “The Measure of Christ’s Gift” Eph 4:9,10 – “(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) Wuest – ‘The contents of these verses are parenthetical, showing what the ascension of Christ presupposes.’ The verbs here are active – this is Christ directing His own movement! 1 Peter 3:18-20 - For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. Is this descension into the lower parts of the earth unto purgatory (Limbus Patrom)? 4 July 22, 2018 Bob Eckel 4

The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 4:7-10 “The Measure of Christ’s Gift” Three interpretations are offered: Hades, sheol, home of the dead. Christ’s grave. of the earth – a genitive defining lower regions, i.e. incarnation, condescension, humiliation. Rom 10:6,7 - But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (Deut 30:12) (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss? (Deut 30:13) (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). Phil 2:8, 9 - And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, Matt 12:40 – ‘For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Psalm 139:15 - My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Psalm 63:9 - But those who seek my life, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth. What things did Christ fill? 5 July 22, 2018 Bob Eckel 5

The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 4:7-10 “The Measure of Christ’s Gift” First, did He have to descend first? Notice, active tense – He was willing and did! This contrast is so very important – earth vs. heavenly places. Col 2:9,10 - For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Heb 4:14 - Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Why might fill rather fill? fill – plēroō, fill to the full Was His mission in some way unfinished? No in context, Paul is describing His work for the body – it’s completed! Not for those who did/do not believe! 6 July 22, 2018 Bob Eckel 6