But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

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Spiritual Gifts

But (A)to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:

(B)“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

(C)(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also [a]first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One (D)who ascended far above all the heavens, (E)that He might fill all things.)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, (F)for the [b]edifying of (G)the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith (H)and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to (I)a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be (J)children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of (K)deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the (L)head—Christ— 16 (M)from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:9 NU omits first
  2. Ephesians 4:12 building up