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"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers."

Text: Ephesians 4:11

PASTORS AND TEACHERS (“poimen” and “didaskalos”)

It is possible to appreciate this text in two different ways.

1. Pastors/Teachers- one and the same

It is possible to argue that pastors were teachers of the word of God. Hence the particle “and” can be translated as “pastors, even teachers.”

2. Pastors and Teachers- two separate ideas

It is also possible to argue that Paul was making a reference to two distinctive offices that were known in the New Testament era. The teaching ministry and the pastoral ministry may indeed be distinguished.

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

We must at all cost avoid the danger of splitting hairs over a text that can be read in more than one way. The important thing to remember is that all these gifts were given by the Lord to the Church to benefit it.

The Corinthian Church had a good number of gifted people as members. But where care was not adequately taken, trouble erupted. The apostle Paul then had the painful duty of giving strong words of admonishment to the Church, to correct it. His emphasis was unity.

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God
who works all in all.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-6

GOD’S REASON FOR HIS GIFTS

The apostle Paul went further to speak about the reason why God gave out these precious spiritual gifts through the Spirit of God.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one
for the profit of all:
for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit,
to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit…
1 CORINTHIANS 12:8

A GREAT CHALLENGE TO APPRECIATE GOD’S GIFTS TO THE CHURCH

God’s gifts are often taken for granted. The apostle Paul was subject to much persecution from unbelievers, enemies of the faith. That may be expected.

However, he was also subject to abuse by churches he founded (e.g. the Corinthian Church). That is so wrong. How sad it is to note that “no prophet is accepted in his own country” (Luke 4:24). May we always have a heart of love for God’s servants- His gift to the Church!