- Paul, Ephesians 4:11, Wycliffe Translation
καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν τοὺς μὲν ἀποστόλους, τοὺς δὲ προφήτας, τοὺς δὲ εὐαγγελιστάς, τοὺς δὲ ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους ...
- Paul, Ephesians 4:11, original Greek
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
This passage continues from Paul's prophetic interpretation of "he led captivity captive [i.e. took the spoils of war] and gave gifts to persons" as a prophetic witness to Jesus as the Messiah. Some of the spoils of war that are given to persons are, for Paul the charismata [χαρίσματα] take form not just in the signs worked in believers, but in the gifts that we actually become to each other. One is made a gift of apostle to some persons; to another, a gift of prophet; to others a shepherd (pastor) or a teacher, according to the grace given us (or channeled through us). I think this might be paraphrased as "And he gave some of these gifts as apostles to some people; some as prophets to others, etc."
What sort of hierarchy did Jesus envisage for his Ekklesia? One of generals and lieutenants and footsoldiers? Or one where the last is first, the first is last, and the greatest is the one who washes the feet of the others?
When we look upon some gifts (i.e. some people) as more essential than others, more important than others, are we not guilty of not discerning His Body? Are we not in a place of condemnation and pettiness and belittlement?
The Holy Spirit may make the gift of apostle or prophet or teacher out of anyone, for there is no Teacher other than the Holy Spirit. There are only vessels, tabernacles for the Spirit. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. And that temple may potentially be the conduit of any gift that the Holy Spirit wishes.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
- Paul, Ephesians 4:11, King James Version
This passage continues from Paul's prophetic interpretation of "he led captivity captive [i.e. took the spoils of war] and gave gifts to persons" as a prophetic witness to Jesus as the Messiah. Some of the spoils of war that are given to persons are, for Paul the charismata [χαρίσματα] take form not just in the signs worked in believers, but in the gifts that we actually become to each other. One is made a gift of apostle to some persons; to another, a gift of prophet; to others a shepherd (pastor) or a teacher, according to the grace given us (or channeled through us). I think this might be paraphrased as "And he gave some of these gifts as apostles to some people; some as prophets to others, etc."
What sort of hierarchy did Jesus envisage for his Ekklesia? One of generals and lieutenants and footsoldiers? Or one where the last is first, the first is last, and the greatest is the one who washes the feet of the others?
When we look upon some gifts (i.e. some people) as more essential than others, more important than others, are we not guilty of not discerning His Body? Are we not in a place of condemnation and pettiness and belittlement?
The Holy Spirit may make the gift of apostle or prophet or teacher out of anyone, for there is no Teacher other than the Holy Spirit. There are only vessels, tabernacles for the Spirit. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. And that temple may potentially be the conduit of any gift that the Holy Spirit wishes.
No comments:
Post a Comment