Bible Commentaries
Ephesians 4

Verse 11

gave

In 1 Corinthians 12:8-28 the Spirit is seen as enduing the members of the body of Christ with spiritual gifts, or enablements for a varied service; here certain Spirit-endued men, viz. apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, are themselves the gifts whom the glorified Christ bestows upon His body the church. In Corinthians the gifts are spiritual enablements for specific service; in Ephesians the gifts are men who have such enablements.

some

The Lord, in bestowing the gifted men, determines, providentially (e.g.) Acts 11:22-26 or directly through the Spirit (e.g.) ; Acts 13:1; Acts 13:2; Acts 16:6; Acts 16:7 the places of their service. "Some" (churches or places) need one gift, as, (e.g.) evangelist; "some" (churches or places) need rather a pastor or teacher. Absolutely nothing in Christ's service is left to mere human judgment or self-choosing. Even an apostle was not permitted to choose his place of service Acts 16:7; Acts 16:8.

Verse 12

perfect

(See Scofield " :-") .

Verse 22

old man

(See Scofield " :-") .

Verse 24

new man

The new man is the regenerate man as distinguished from the old man (See Scofield " :-") and is a new man as having become a partaker of the divine nature and life 2 Peter 1:4; Colossians 3:3; Colossians 3:4 and in no sense the old man made over, or improved ; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:10. The new man is Christ, "formed" in the believer ; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 4:19; Colossians 1:27; 1 John 4:12.

righteousness (See Scofield "1 John 4:12- :") .

Verse 26

sin

Sin. (See Scofield " :-") .

Verse 29

grace

Grace (imparted). vs. Philippians 1:7; Romans 6:1; 2 Peter 3:18.