But (A)to each one of us (B)grace was given (C)according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore [a]it says,

(D)When He ascended on high,
He (E)led captive the captives,
And He gave gifts to people.”

(Now this expression, “He (F)ascended,” what [b]does it mean except that He also [c]had descended into (G)the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended (H)far above all the heavens, so that He might (I)fill all things.) 11 And He (J)gave (K)some as apostles, some as prophets, some as (L)evangelists, some as [d]pastors and (M)teachers, 12 (N)for the equipping of the [e]saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of (O)the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to (P)the unity of the faith, and of the [f](Q)knowledge of the Son of God, to a (R)mature man, to the measure of the stature [g]which belongs to the (S)fullness of Christ. 14 [h]As a result, we are (T)no longer to be children, (U)tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by (V)craftiness [i]in (W)deceitful scheming; 15 but [j]speaking the truth (X)in love, [k]we are to (Y)grow up in all aspects into Him who is the (Z)head, that is, Christ, 16 from whom (AA)the whole body, being fitted and held together [l]by what every joint supplies, according to the [m]proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself (AB)in love.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or He
  2. Ephesians 4:9 Lit is it except
  3. Ephesians 4:9 One early ms had first descended
  4. Ephesians 4:11 From Gr for shepherds
  5. Ephesians 4:12 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  6. Ephesians 4:13 Or true knowledge
  7. Ephesians 4:13 Lit of the fullness
  8. Ephesians 4:14 Lit So that we will no longer be
  9. Ephesians 4:14 Lit with regard to the scheming of deceit
  10. Ephesians 4:15 Or holding to; or being truthful in
  11. Ephesians 4:15 Or let’s grow up
  12. Ephesians 4:16 Lit through every joint of the supply
  13. Ephesians 4:16 Lit working in measure

But to each one of us(A) grace(B) has been given(C) as Christ apportioned it. This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives(D)
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b](E)

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended(F) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)(G) 11 So Christ himself gave(H) the apostles,(I) the prophets,(J) the evangelists,(K) the pastors and teachers,(L) 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ(M) may be built up(N) 13 until we all reach unity(O) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God(P) and become mature,(Q) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.(R)

14 Then we will no longer be infants,(S) tossed back and forth by the waves,(T) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.(U) 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love,(V) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,(W) that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows(X) and builds itself up(Y) in love,(Z) as each part does its work.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
  2. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
  3. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth