⁷ But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”

⁹ (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) ¹¹ And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

 

Reflection

1. Paul encouraged them to preserve unity (v1-3), he laid down the foundation for unity (v4-6), listed the many gifts God has given to the church (v7-11), and explained how to use these gifts in love and truth in order to build up the body of Christ into maturity (v12-16). Starting verse 17, Paul began to admonish believers who have put off the old self and put on the new self to start living the new life in true righteousness and holiness. The last part of this chapter, Paul encouraged believers to live a holy life.
2. The church is a diverse body composed of many different people who must give attention to preserve their unity. The Spirit gives gifts to every believer so that, by all of us exercising these gifts, we will build each other up to be more and more like Christ, thus to preserve the unity of the church.
3. This list of gifts (v11) is by no means exhaustive.  Similar lists appear in Paul’s other letters.  Here, Paul says that the purpose of these gifts is “to train Christ’s followers, so that the body of Christ may be built up”.
4. What gifts has God given you?  How are you using them?  Thank God for the gifts he’s given you and other members of the church.  Pray that you will do your part to help build up the church.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 21:25-28

²⁵ The desire of the sluggard kills him,
    for his hands refuse to labor.
²⁶ All day long he craves and craves,
    but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
    how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
²⁸ A false witness will perish,
    but the word of a man who hears will endure.