7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift . 8 Therefore it says , " WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH , HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES , AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN ." 9 (Now this expression, "He ascended ," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth ? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens , so that He might fill all things .) 11 And He gave some as apostles , and some as prophets , and some as evangelists , and some as pastors and teachers , 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service , to the building up of the body of Christ ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith , and of the knowledge of the Son of God , to a mature man , to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ . 14 As a result , we are no longer to be children , tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine , by the trickery of men , by craftiness in deceitful scheming ; 15 but speaking the truth in love , we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head , even Christ , 16 from whom the whole body , being fitted and held together e by what every joint supplies , according to the proper working of each individual part , causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ephesians 4:7-16
Commentary on Ephesians 4:7-16
(Read Ephesians 4:7-16)
Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a measure of that fulness given in the counsel of God to every believer; but we never come to the perfect measure till we come to heaven. God's children are growing, as long as they are in this world; and the Christian's growth tends to the glory of Christ. The more a man finds himself drawn out to improve in his station, and according to his measure, all that he has received, to the spiritual good of others, he may the more certainly believe that he has the grace of sincere love and charity rooted in his heart.