EPHESIANS: The Purpose of Gifts

EPHESIANS Number 45
The Purpose of Gifts

So, Father has gifted His people in ways like these. Why has He done this? What are these gifts for?

Ephesians 4:12
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

This is such a wonderful verse. It is one of the verses that inspired the stated purpose of my teaching ministry—Edify, Encourage, Equip (E3).

The reason Father gives the Church the gift of gifted people is so that the saints will be perfected. The word here means “to EQUIP God’s people (literally ‘the holy ones’) for service through training and discipline” (BDAG). This discipline is not punitive or harsh but rather gentle redirection to the truth through careful handling of the word.

He gives us gifts so that the saints will be ENCOURAGED for the work of the ministry. Most people do not consider themselves to be in ministry unless they are in church leadership. Nothing could be further from the truth. The work of the ministry is simply performance of a service. It is functioning in the interest of a larger public. Ministry is helping others, and it encompasses any activity that is outward facing.

These gifts are also to EDIFY the saints. That means to build up the body of Christ. To help them see their true identity. To help them understand that God’s will for them is good. To remind them of their forgiveness so that guilt and shame do not stunt their growth and hamper their effectiveness.

These are tactics, but Father’s strategy here is found in the verses that follow.