Efesios 4:7-8 NVI

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 4:7

But unto every one of us - Every Christian.Is given grace - The favor of God; meaning here that God had bestowed upon each sincere Christian the means of living as he ought to do, and had in his gospel made ample provision that they might walk worthy of their vocation. What “are” the endowments thus given, the apostle states in the following verses. The “grace” referred to here, most probably means “the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit,” or his operations on the heart in connection with... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 4:8

Wherefore he saith - The word “he” is not in the original; and it may mean “the Scripture saith,” or “God saith.” The “point” of the argument here is, that Christ, when he ascended to heaven, obtained certain “gifts” for people, and that those gifts are bestowed upon his people in accordance with this. To “prove” that, he adduces this passage from Psalms 68:18. Much perplexity has been felt in regard to the “principle” on which Paul quotes this Psalm, and applies it to the ascension of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ephesians 4:7-10

Ephesians 4:7-10. But Though there be so many, and those infinitely important particulars, in which the true members of the church agree, and which furnish such powerful motives to love and unity, yet there are some things wherein they differ. For they occupy, by God’s appointment, different stations in the church, and for these they are fitted by different gifts. These distinctions, however, ought to be regarded by them, not as matters of emulation, and causes of contention, but rather as... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

4:1-6:24 THE DAILY LIFE OF THE CHURCH MEMBERSUnity in the church (4:1-16)God’s great purposes for his church should produce a new quality in the lives of the church members. The blessings that God gives should not lead the believers to pride. On the contrary, when they see that these blessings are an indication of the standard God expects, they will develop a new humility. When people or circumstances annoy them and try their patience, they will show love by being patient and helpful... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ephesians 4:7

unto = to. every = each. is = was. grace = the grace. App-184 . according to . App-104 . measure . Greek. metron. See Romans 12:3 . gift . Greek. dorea . See Ephesians 3:7 . Christ . App-98 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ephesians 4:8

When, &c . From Psalms 68:18 . See App-107 . up . Omit. on . App-104 . high . See Luke 1:78 . Rendered "height" in Ephesians 3:18 . Revelation 21:16 . led . . . captive . Greek. aichmaloteuo. Only here and 2 Timothy 3:6 . In Luke 21:24 . Rom 7:23 . 2 Corinthians 10:5 , the word is aichmalotizo. captivity = a body of captives. See Matthew 27:52 .Romans 1:4 . gave . Having received according to Psalms 68:18 , He gave . gifts . Greek. doma. Here; Matthew 7:11 .Luke 11:13... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ephesians 4:7

But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.It is incorrect to construe this as a reference to supernatural gifts. Paul was not dealing with that kind of gift in this letter, because the thrust of its message was toward all future generations, and the age of miraculous gifts was rapidly passing. Some of these no doubt still existed, but they are not in focus here. What Paul said of all gifts coming from Christ, of course, applied to all kinds of... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ephesians 4:8

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men."This quotation is from Psalms 68:18; but Paul altered it, from Thou didst take gifts to He gave gifts!"[17] Wesley's explanation is the usual one; but it is perhaps better to understand this as a Scripture that Paul was here writing, not one that he was merely quoting. This would be to understand "wherefore he saith" as meaning "Thus saith the Lord," after the manner of Old Testament prophets. There... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ephesians 4:7

Ephesians 4:7. Is given grace, &c.— That their differing in some respects, though united in so many, might not be urged as a plea for self-esteem, or neglect of others who wanted such advantages, the Apostle insists upon it, that all is communicated to us in the way of free gift and unmerited liberality. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 4:7

7. But—Though "one" in our common connection with "one Lord, one faith, c., one God," yet "each one of us" has assigned to him his own particular gift, to be used for the good of the whole: none is overlooked none therefore can be dispensed with for the edifying of the Church (Ephesians 4:12). A motive to unity (Ephesians 4:3). Translate, "Unto each one of us was the grace (which was bestowed by Christ at His ascension, Ephesians 4:3- :) given according to," c. the measure—the amount "of the... read more