Eph. 4:11-16

Eph. 4:11-16

In this passage the exalted Christ, leading captivity captive, gave gifts to men (v.8). Here, we are primarily concerned with the “pastor-teacher” gift of v.11.

In the Puritan tradition, verses 11-12 have been taken to mean that Christ has given pastors and teachers (“doctors”):(1) for perfecting the saints; (2) for the work of the ministry; and (3) for the building up of the body of Christ (cf. “A True Description... of the Visible Church,” [1589], The Reformation of the Church, ed. Iain Murray, p.200; Owen, True Nature, pp. 46-47; “The Form of Presbyterial Church Government,” [1645], The Reformation of the Church, p.209). With this interpretation, the entire edification process fell upon the shoulders of “the officers” (cf. Thomas Goodwin, Works, Vol.11, p.310).

However, this interpretation does not appear to be accurate. The King James translation has in v.12, “for...for...for.” But there is in the Greek a change in prepositions not reflected in this rendering. The Greek original has pros ...eis...eis [”for...unto...unto”].

Thus, this verse can be rendered, “He gave... pastors-teachers for equipping the saints unto the work of ministry, unto the upbuilding of the body of Christ.” In other words, the function of the pastors-teachers is to equip the saints so that they can minister.
This construction is further borne out in the context. Verse 16 reveals Christ as joining the whole body together. The emphasis here, as in 1 Cor 12, falls on the total body ministry, not the exclusive ministry of pastors. The elders’ function is a crucial part of the edification process. But the broader body ministry unto edification is specifically mentioned two times in v.16: (1) “every joint supplies”; (2) “in the measure of every part.” Thus, edification is not conceived of as being achieved by the ministry of one part (the “pastor”), but by a mutual ministry of every part.

~ Jon Zeus