Ephesians 4:7-13

7God’s favor  has been given to each of us. It was measured out to us by Christ who gave it.

8That’s why the Scriptures say: “When he went to the highest place, he took captive those who had captured us and gave gifts to people.”

9Now what does it mean that he went up except that he also had gone down to the lowest parts of the earth?

10The one who had gone down also went up above all the heavens so that he fills everything.

11He also gave apostles, prophets, missionaries, as well as pastors and teachers as gifts ⌞to his church⌟.

12Their purpose is to prepare God’s people to serve and to build up the body of Christ.

13This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God’s Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard.