Ephesians 4:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

NIV: But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

NASB: But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

CSB: Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

NLT: However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

KJV: But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

NKJV: But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Verses 4, 5, and 6 gave a powerful description of the unity Christians can experience in Christ. Every believer is saved by the same grace, through the same faith, given by the same Savior, who is both Lord and God of all. Here, Paul returns again to the theme of grace, this time focusing on spiritual gifts. While our faith is unified under a single God, God brings each person exactly what they need, depending on who and where they are.

In other words, God's grace is given out personally. He knows exactly what we need and how to meet that need. This grace is given at varying levels as God sees fit "according to the measure of Christ's gift." Spiritual gifts involve a variety of abilities (Ephesians 4:11; Romans 12:4–6; 1 Corinthians 12:4–6), yet all of our gifts should work together in service to the "one God" (Ephesians 4:6).

In Ephesians 3:8 Paul taught that "grace was given" to him to preach to the Gentiles. He was called as an apostle, yet was not given every single one of the various gifts of grace God supplies. He wasn't worried about the gifts he did not have, instead Paul was focused on getting the most out of what he had been given by God.

First Peter 4:10 says, "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." Paul taught salvation was by grace (Ephesians 2:8–9), we live by grace, and we operate according to our spiritual gifts by grace.

Ephesians 4:1–10 is Paul's compelling description of Christian unity. Every saved believer, regardless of talent or skill, Jew or Gentile, male or female, is saved by the same faith in the same God. Each Christian, therefore, is part of a single, universal family of believers in Jesus Christ. At the same time, God gives different gifts to different people, so that they can serve the many roles needed to accomplish His purposes here on earth. Rather than being concerned about what gifts we might lack, each Christian can rejoice in our unity, and focus on serving God to the best of our ability.

Truly understanding saving grace, as Paul explained in prior chapters, is the Christian's first motivation for living a godly life. Here, Paul encourages believers to live in way which honors that gift. All saved Christians are part of a single, unified family, part of the ''body'' of Christ. At the same time, different believers are given different talents. Some are called to positions of leadership and authority. All Christians should turn away from the ''old self'' we were prior to being saved. Paul's explanation of the ''new self'' includes some basic, practical steps.

The first half of Ephesians focuses mostly on doctrine, setting up ideas related to the Christian faith. The last half, beginning in chapter 4, puts those theories into practice. Paul begins by emphasizing the ultimate unity of all Christians, regardless of individual spiritual gifts. Paul also begins to explain how knowledge of the truths should translate into action. Chapters 4, 5, and 6 feature specific, real-world applications of Christianity to daily life.

Ephesians follows a theme common in Paul's writings: connecting theory with practice. In this book, however, he goes into greater depth before making the transition. As a letter meant to be read by more than just the believers at Ephesus, this is an important look at how Christian belief should translate into Christian action. The first three chapters lay out spiritual ideas, the last three chapters show how these truths should be applied in the life of a mature believer. Paul focuses heavily on love, the unity of the Christian church, and the incredible value of our salvation through Christ.