Devine Scripture

Ephesians 4:11

What does Ephesians 4:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 4:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 4:11 means

Christ’s gifts include people set apart for particular ministries. Apostles and prophets were foundational messengers of revelation, bearing Christ’s authority in establishing the church. Evangelists herald the good news, planting and advancing the gospel. Pastors and teachers (closely linked) shepherd congregations through caring oversight and instruction in sound doctrine. These roles are gifts, not self-made careers. Their aim is not to do all ministry themselves, but to equip others to serve. Christ’s care for His body is shown in providing leaders who teach truth, guard against error, and guide the flock. A healthy church receives these gifts gratefully and measures them by faithfulness to Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he gave some as Apostles, and some, prophets; and some, preachers of the good news; and some to give care and teaching;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and He gave some <FI>as<Fi> apostles, and some <FI>as<Fi> prophets, and some <FI>as<Fi> proclaimers of good news, and some <FI>as<Fi> shepherds and teachers,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and he has given some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some shepherds and teachers,

Context

Following the ascent imagery (verses 8–10), Paul now names specific gifted persons Christ gave. This sets up verse 12’s purpose statement: these leaders equip the saints for ministry and edify the body. The flow moves from Christ’s triumph to His provision of ministers, then to the church’s participation in service and growth (verses 12–16). The emphasis remains that leadership is Christ’s gift to His people for their maturity, not a status for personal prestige.

v.10He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

v.11This passage

v.12for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 12:7

    or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching;

  • Revelation 21:14

    And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

  • Matthew 28:20

    teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

  • 1 Peter 5:1

    The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

  • Hebrews 5:12

    For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.

  • Acts 13:1

    Now there were at Antioch, in the church that wasthere, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

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