Ephesians 4:11

Ephesians 4:11 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
• New International Version (NIV)So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
• English Standard Version (ESV)And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
• New King James Version (NKJV)And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

Context of Ephesians 4:11

9Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11 word by word

καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν τοὺς μὲν ἀποστόλους, τοὺς δὲ προφήτας, τοὺς δὲ εὐαγγελιστάς, τοὺς δὲ ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• heαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• gaveδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• someὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
• apostlesἀπόστολοςapostolos · apostleG652
• andδέde · thenG1161
• prophetsπροφήτηςprophētēs · prophetG4396
• evangelistsεὐαγγελιστήςeuaggelistēs · evangelistG2099
• pastorsποιμήνpoimēn · shepherdG4166
• teachersδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320

Cross-references for Ephesians 4:11

• Ephesians 4:8That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”
• Ephesians 2:20Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
• Ephesians 3:5God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
• Romans 10:14But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
• 1 Corinthians 12:28Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.
• Jude 1:17But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted.
• Revelation 18:20Rejoice over her fate, O heaven and people of God and apostles and prophets! For at last God has judged her for your sakes.
• Revelation 21:14The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
• Acts 21:8The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food.
• 2 Timothy 4:5But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
• 2 Chronicles 15:3For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without the Law to instruct them.
• Jeremiah 3:15And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.
• Matthew 28:20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
• Acts 13:1Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.
• Romans 12:7If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.
• 1 Corinthians 12:29Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles?

Commentaries on Ephesians 4:11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11He gave some, apostles - He established several offices in his Church; furnished these with the proper officers; and, to qualify them for their work, gave them the proper gifts. For a full illustration of this verse, the reader is requested to refer to the notes on 1 Corinthians 12:6-10; (note), 1 Corinthians 12:28-30; (note); and to the concluding observations at the end of that chapter.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11And he gave some, apostles - He gave some to be apostles. The “object” here is to show that he has made ample provision for the extension and edification of his church On the meaning of the word “apostles,” and on their appointment by the Saviour, see the notes on Matthew 10:1. And some, prophets - He appointed some to be prophets; see the Romans 12:7, note; 1 Corinthians 12:28, note; 1 Corinthians 14:1, notes. And some, evangelists - see the notes on…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-16Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11In his letters, Paul provides four different lists of God's gifts (see also Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, 28). None of these lists includes all possible gifts. This list focuses on the leadership gifts that help the church grow: Apostles are people God sends out as missionary evangelists. They travel around sharing the good news about Jesus. Prophets are people who speak messages from God to his people. Evangelists tell others the good news about…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. Greek, emphatical. "Himself" by His supreme power. "It is He that gave," &c. gave some, apostles--Translate, "some to be apostles, and some to be prophets," &c. The men who filled the office, no less than the office itself, were a divine gift [Eadie]. Ministers did not give themselves. Compare with the list here, 1Co 12:10, 28. As the apostles, prophets, and evangelists were special and extraordinary ministers, so "pastors and teachers" are the…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 4:11

• Church
• Instruction
• Minister, Christian
• Perfection
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Bitterness
• Compact
• Dark
• Elder
• Evangelist
• Forbear
• Gospels
• Grieve
• Lasciviousness
• Lowliness

Commentaries on Ephesians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings