Ephesians 4:11

Ephesians 4:11 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

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

Free Bible Version FBV

The gifts he gave were so that some could be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Hee therefore gaue some to be Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Euangelists, and some Pastours, and Teachers,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and He gave some [as] apostles, and some [as] prophets, and some [as] proclaimers of good news, and some [as] shepherds and teachers,

World English Bible WEB

He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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

Translation for Translators T4T

He appointed some people to be apostles. He appointed some people to be ◄prophets/ones who reveal messages that come directly from God►. He appointed some people to be ◄evangelists/ones whose work is to tell others the message about Christ►. He appointed some people to lead and teach the congregations.

Plain English Version PEV

And Jesus Christ gives these special gifts to his people, so that they can help other people in the church. These gifts are the powers he gives to Christians. He gave some of his people the power to be his special workers, and he sent them out to other people to tell them his good news. And he gave other Christians the power to tell God’s messages to people. And he gave some of them the power to help other people to believe in Jesus. And he gave some Christians the power to be pastors, to look after Christians and teach them God’s way. God gave all these powers to his people to get them ready, so that they can work together for him. God works like that, so that his people get stronger, and so that more people join his family. We are like the body of Jesus Christ here on earth, and he wants that body to get bigger and stronger.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ephesians 4:11

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Ephesians 4:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK και αυτος εδωκεν τους μεν αποστολους τους δε προφητας τους δε ευαγγελιστας τους δε ποιμενας και διδασκαλους

και kai G2532 and Conj

αυτος autos G846 it/s/he Pron-NSM

εδωκεν didōmi G1325 to give Verb-AAI-3S

τους ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APM

μεν men G3303 on the other hand Particle

αποστολους apostolos G652 apostle Noun-APM

τους ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APM

δε de G1161 then Conj

προφητας prophētēs G4396 prophet Noun-APM

τους ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APM

δε de G1161 then Conj

ευαγγελιστας euangelistēs G2099 evangelist Noun-APM

τους ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APM

δε de G1161 then Conj

ποιμενας poimēn G4166 shepherd Noun-APM

και kai G2532 and Conj

διδασκαλους didaskalos G1320 teacher Noun-APM

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Greek Word Reference — Ephesians 4:11

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

αυτος autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-NSM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

εδωκεν didōmi G1325 "to give" Verb-AAI-3S

To give, as seen in Matthew 4:9 and John 1:12, means to bestow or grant something to someone, often with a sense of generosity or sacrifice, like God giving his only son in John 3:16

Definition: δίδωμι, [in LXX chiefly for נָתַן (53 words in all) ;] to give—in various senses, accusative to context—bestow, grant, supply, deliver, commit, yield: absol., Act.20:35; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s), Mat.4:9 5:31, Jhn.1:12, al. mult.; with dative of person(s), before ἐκ, Mat.25:8; id. with genitive part.. Rev.2:17; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.3:16, Rev.20:13, al.; δεξιάς, Gal.2:9; φίλημα, Luk.7:45; γνῶσιν, Luk.1:77; κρίσιν, Jhn.5:22; of seed yielding fruit, Mrk.4:7, 8; ἐργασίαν (Deiss., LAE, 117f.), Luk.12:58; with inf. fin., Mat.27:34, Mrk.5:43, Luk.8:55, Jhn.6:52, al.; with dative of person(s) and inf., Luk.1:74, al.; with accusative and inf., Act.2:27, Rev.3:9; with dupl. accusative, Mat.20:28, Mrk.10:45, Eph.1:22 4:11, 2Th.3:9, 1Ti.2:6, al.; ἑαυτὸν δ. εἰς (Polyb., al.), Act.19:31; with dative of person(s), before κατά (MM, Exp., xi), Rev.2:28 (LXX); δ. ἵνα, Rev.3:9; δέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἀνεῳγμένην, Rev.3:8. SYN.: δωρέομαι. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 380 NT verses. KJV: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield See also: 1 Corinthians 1:4; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:21.

τους ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

μεν men G3303 "on the other hand" Particle

This word means 'on the other hand' and is often used to contrast ideas. It appears in the New Testament, like in John and Romans, to show a difference between two things. It's usually translated as 'even' or 'indeed'.

Definition: μέν, conjunctive particle (originally a form of μήν), usually related to a following δέ or other adversative conjunction, and distinguishing the word or clause with which it stands from that which follows. It is generally untranslatable and is not nearly so frequent in NT as in cl. Like δέ, it never stands first in a clause. __1. Answered by δέ or some other particle: μὲν . . . δέ, indeed . . . but, Mat.3:11, Luk.3:16, al.; with pronouns, ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, one . . . another, Mat.21:35, al.; pl., Php.1:16, 17; ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δὲ . . . ὃ δέ, some . . . some . . . some, Mat.13:8; τοῦτο μὲν . . . τοῦτο δέ, partly . . . partly, Heb.10:33; μὲν . . . ἔπειτα, Jhn.11:6; μὲν . . . καί, Luk.8:5. __2. μέν solitarium, answered by no other particle: πρῶτον μέν (Bl., l.with), Rom.1:8 3:2, 1Co.11:18; μὲν οὖν in narrative, summing up what precedes or introducing something further (Bl., §78, 5), so then, rather, nay rather: Luk.11:28 (WH, μενοῦν), Act.1:6 9:31, al.; μὲν οὖν γε (Php.3:8, WH): see: μενοῦνγε. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 194 NT verses. KJV: even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily See also: 1 Corinthians 1:12; Hebrews 3:5; 1 Peter 1:20.

αποστολους apostolos G652 "apostle" Noun-APM

An apostle is a delegate or messenger of Jesus Christ, sent to spread the Gospel. The apostles were given special powers and authority by Jesus, as seen in Matthew 10:2 and 2 Corinthians 8:23.

Definition: ἀπόστολος, -ου, ὁ (ἀοστέλλω), [in LXX; 3Ki.14:6 A (שָׁלַח) * ;] __1. a fleet, an expedition (Dem.). __2. a messenger, one sent on a mission (Hdt., LXX, l.with, and π.; see M, Pr., 37 f.; MM, see word; M, Th., i, 2:7 and reff.): Jhn.13:16, 2Co.8:23 Php.2:25. __3. In NT, an Apostle of Christ __(a) with special ref. to the Twelve: Mat.10:2, Mrk.3:14, Luk.11:49, Eph.3:5, Rev.18:20, al., equality with whom is claimed by St. Paul, Gal.1:1, 11 ff, 1Ti.2:7, a1.; __(b) in a wider sense of prominent Christian teachers, as Barnabas, Act.14:14, apparently also Silvanus and Timothy, 1Th.2:6, and perhaps Andronicus and Junias (Junia?), Rom.16:7 (see ICC, in l); of false teachers, claiming apostleship: 2Co.11:5 11:13, Rev.2:2. (On the different uses of the term in NT, see Lit., Gal., 92-101; Cremer, 530; DB, i, 126; DCG, i, 105; Enc. Br., ii, 196 ff.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 80 NT verses. KJV: apostle, messenger, he that is sent See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; Acts 8:14; 1 Peter 1:1.

τους ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

προφητας prophētēs G4396 "prophet" Noun-APM

A prophet is someone who acts as an interpreter of God's will, as seen in Matthew 5:12 and Romans 11:3. They speak forth God's message to others.

Definition: προφήτης, -ου, ὁ [πρόφημι, to speak forth), [in LXX chiefly for נָבִיא ;] one who acts as an interpreter or forth-teller of the Divine will (see Lft., Notes, 83f.; Tr., Syn., §vi), a prophet; __1. in cl. (Æsch., Hdt., Plat., al.), of the interpreters of oracles. __2. In NT, __(a) of the OT prophets: Mat.5:12, Mrk.6:15, Luk.4:27, Jhn.8:52, Rom.11:3, al.; __(b) of prophets in general: Mat.10:41 13:57 21:46, Mrk.6:4, Luk.13:33, al.; __(with) of John the Baptist: Mat.21:26, Mrk.6:15, Luk.1:76; __(d) of Christ: Mat.21:11, Jhn.6:14, Act.3:22, 23 7:37" (LXX) ; __(e) of Christian prophets in the apostolic age: Act.15:32, 1Co.12:28, Eph.2:20, al.; __(f) by meton., of the writings of prophets: Luk.24:27, Act.8:28, al.; __(g) of a poet: Tit.1:12 (on the use of the term in π. and Inscr., see Deiss., BS, 235f.; MM, xxii). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 142 NT verses. KJV: prophet See also: 1 Corinthians 12:28; Luke 9:19; 1 Peter 1:10.

τους ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

ευαγγελιστας euangelistēs G2099 "evangelist" Noun-APM

An evangelist is a preacher of the gospel, as seen in Acts 21:8 and Ephesians 4:11. This person shares the good news of salvation with others. The role of an evangelist is to spread the message of God's love.

Definition: εὐαγγελιστής, -οῦ, ὁ an evangelist; __(a) in NT, a preacher of the gospel: Act.21:8, Eph.4:11, 2Ti.4:5; __(b) later, a writer of a gospel (eccl.).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: evangelist See also: 2 Timothy 4:5; Acts 21:8; Ephesians 4:11.

τους ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

ποιμενας poimēn G4166 "shepherd" Noun-APM

A shepherd is someone who cares for and guides a group of people or animals. In the Bible, Jesus is called the Good Shepherd, and church leaders are also shepherds, responsible for guiding their flock, as seen in Matthew 9:36 and John 10:11. This role involves leadership and protection.

Definition: ποιμήν, -ίνος, ὁ [in LXX for רָעָה ;] a shepherd: Mat.9:36 25:32 26:31" (LXX), Mrk.6:34 14:27, Luk.2:8, 15 2:18, 20 Jhn.10:2, 12 Metaphorical, of Christ; Jhn.10:11, 14 10:16 Heb.13:20, 1Pe.2:25; of Christian pastors, Eph.4:11 (cf. Hom., Il, i, 263, ποιμένα λαῶν).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 17 NT verses. KJV: shepherd, pastor See also: 1 Peter 2:25; Luke 2:8; Hebrews 13:20.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

διδασκαλους didaskalos G1320 "teacher" Noun-APM

This word means a teacher or instructor, like Jesus in John 3:2 or Jewish teachers in Luke 2:46. It is often used as a title of respect.

Definition: διδάσκαλος, -ου, ὁ (διδάσκω), [in LXX: Est.6:1, 2Ma.1:10 * ;] given as rendering of Heb. רַבִּי ,רַבּוֺן (NT, Ῥαββεί, Ῥαββουνεί which see); a teacher: Jhn.1:39 20:16; of Jewish teachers, Luk.2:46, Jhn.3:10, cf. Rom.2:20-21; of John Baptist, Luk.3:12; of Jesus, Jhn.3:2, 10 8:4 11:28 13:13-14, and often in Syn., most frequently in voc., as title of address, as Mat.8:19, Mrk.4:38; of Jesus by himself, Mat.23:8; of an apostle, 1Ti.2:7, 2Ti.1:11; of Christians, 1Co.12:28-29, Eph.4:11, Act.13:1, Jas.3:1; of false teachers, 2Ti.4:3 (Cremer, 181; DB, i, 609, iii, 294, iv, 691) SYN.: παιδευτής, q.v (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 57 NT verses. KJV: doctor, master, teacher See also: 1 Corinthians 12:28; Luke 20:21; Hebrews 5:12.

Study Notes — Ephesians 4:11

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Ephesians 4:11 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Ephesians 4:11
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ephesians 4:11
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ephesians 4:11
Trapp's Commentary on Ephesians 4:11
Ellicott's Commentary on Ephesians 4:11
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ephesians 4:11
Cambridge Bible on Ephesians 4:11
Barnes' Notes on Ephesians 4:11
Whedon's Commentary on Ephesians 4:11
Sermons on Ephesians 4:11

Context — Unity in the Body

9What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.

11And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

12to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Jeremiah 3:15	Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
2	1 Corinthians 12:28–29	And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
3	Ephesians 2:20	built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
4	2 Timothy 4:5	But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
5	Matthew 28:20	and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
6	Acts 20:28	Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
7	Romans 10:14–15	How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
8	Ephesians 4:8	This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”
9	Ephesians 3:5	which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
10	1 Peter 5:1–3	As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Ephesians 4:11 Summary

[God gives different people different roles in the church, like apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, to help build up and serve the body of Christ. This is similar to how Jesus gave gifts to His disciples, as seen in Matthew 10:1-4, and how the early church was organized, as described in Acts 6:1-7. These roles are not just limited to a few special people, but are given by God to equip and serve the whole church, as stated in Ephesians 4:12. By working together and using our different gifts and roles, we can grow in unity and maturity, as described in Ephesians 4:13, and become more like Jesus, as seen in Romans 8:29.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different roles that God gives to people in the church?

According to Ephesians 4:11, God gives some people to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, each with unique roles to serve the body of Christ, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Romans 12:4-8.

Are these roles limited to a specific time or place?

The Bible does not specify that these roles are limited to a particular time or place, but rather they are given by God to build up the body of Christ, as stated in Ephesians 4:12, until we reach unity in the faith, as described in Ephesians 4:13.

Can anyone be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher?

The Bible teaches that these roles are given by God, and it is He who appoints and equips people for these positions, as seen in Acts 13:2-3 and 1 Timothy 4:14, so it is not a matter of personal choice or ambition.

How do these roles contribute to the growth of the church?

These roles are essential for equipping the saints for works of ministry and building up the body of Christ, as stated in Ephesians 4:12, and for promoting unity and maturity in the faith, as described in Ephesians 4:13 and Colossians 1:28-29.

Reflection Questions

What role do you think God has given you to play in the body of Christ, and how can you use your gifts and talents to serve others?
How can you support and pray for those who are serving in these different roles in your church or community?
What does it mean to you that God gives people different roles and gifts, and how does this impact your understanding of the church as a whole?
How can you seek to use your role or gift to build up and equip others, rather than seeking personal recognition or advancement?

Gill's Exposition on Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some apostles,.... That is, he gave them gifts by which they were qualified to be apostles; who were such as were immediately called by Christ, and had their doctrine from him, and their

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [ Autos (G846)] 'Himself,' by His supreme power. 'It is HE that gave,' etc.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ephesians 4:11

And he gave; distributed several gifts, , according to his Father’ s appointment, who is said to set in the church what Christ is here said to give, . Objection. Nothing is here said of gifts, but only of offices. Answer. Christ never gave offices without suitable furniture; this diversity therefore of offices includes diversity of respective gifts. Apostles; extraordinary officers, with an immediate call, universal commission, infallibility in teaching, and power of working miracles, appointed for the first founding the Christian church in all parts of the world, . Objection. The apostles were appointed by Christ before his death. Answer. The apostle here speaks not of Christ’ s first calling them, but: 1. Of his fully supplying them with gifts necessary to the discharge of their office, which was after his resurrection, . And: 2. Of their solemn inauguration in their office, by the pouring out of the Holy Ghost upon them in a visible manner, . Prophets; extraordinary officers who did by immediate revelation interpret the Scriptures, ,5, and not only such as did foretell things to come, 21:10. Evangelists; these were likewise extraordinary officers, for the most part chosen by the apostles, as their companions and assistants in preaching the word, and planting churches in the several places where they travelled. Such were Timothy, Titus, Apollos, Silas, &c. Pastors and teachers; either two names of the same office, implying the distinct duties of ruling and teaching belonging to it; or two distinct offices, but both ordinary, and of standing use in the church in all times; and then pastors are they that are fixed to and preside over particular churches, with the care both of instructing and ruling them, ; called elsewhere elders, and bishops, ,7 ,2. Teachers; they whose work is to teach the doctrine of religion, and confute the contrary errors.

Trapp's Commentary on Ephesians 4:11

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Ver. 11. Some pastors and teachers] Distinct officers, Romans 12:7-8, yet one man may be both, 1 Corinthians 12:28-29. The essential differences between pastors and teachers in each congregation is much denied by many learned and godly divines.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ephesians 4:11

(11) He gave.—In the original “He” is emphatic—He and He alone, as the ascended Head of humanity. The word “gave,” instead of the more obvious word set, or appointed (used in 1 Corinthians 12:28), is, of course, suggested by Ephesians 4:8. They who are ministers of His gifts are themselves gifts from Him to the Church. Some, apostles; and some, prophets . . .—With this passage we must compare 1 Corinthians 12:28, “God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings,” &c.; and, perhaps, Romans 12:6-8, “Having then gifts . . . whether prophecy . . . or ministry . . . or teaching . . . or exhortation . . .,” although this last passage is lass formally apposite. In all three cases there is the same general idea, first of the one body, and then of the one Spirit, guiding and animating it through various ministries. The parallel between this passage and the passage in 1 Cor. is very close; for in the latter all that follows the words “after that” may be put aside, as describing, not special offices or ministries, but special gifts. We have, therefore, in both, “first apostles, secondly prophets.” Then come, in the earlier Epistle, “teachers;” and this class, in our own later Epistle, is subdivided into “evangelists” and “pastors,” both being teachers—the one in conversion of those still aliens from Christ, the other in edification of those already brought into His flock. Some, apostles.—The name “apostles” is certainly used here in its technical and restricted sense, as applying to the Twelve, whom “the Apostle” of God Himself (Hebrews 3:1) named as His Apostles (Luke 6:13), and with whom St. Paul claims equality (see 1 Corinthians 9:1; 1 Corinthians 15:9-11; Galatians 1:1) on the ground of his own special mission and revelation from the same Lord. It is, indeed, used in a wider sense; sometimes with words distinctly implying a derivation and human mission, as in 2 Corinthians 8:23, “apostles (or, messengers) of the churches;” Philippians 2:25, “Epaphroditus, your apostle (or, messenger);” sometimes without such qualification, as in 2 Corinthians 11:5; 2 Corinthians 11:13; 2 Corinthians 12:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 2:7; and, perhaps, Romans 16:7. But such use is rare, and cannot be applied to a passage like this, which is distinctive of a special and primary class. In direct charge from the Lord, universal scope of mission, special inspiration and power of miracle, which are “the signs of an apostle” (2 Corinthians 12:12), the Apostles, properly so called, stood out in office absolutely unique and supreme. What was said of the first age of the Church is true of all ages—“of the rest durst no man join himself unto them” (Acts 5:13). Some, prophets.—For the nature and function of prophecy in the Church, see the detailed treatment of the subject by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 14.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ephesians 4:11

Verse 11. He gave some, apostles] He established several offices in his Church; furnished these with the proper officers; and, to qualify them for their work, gave them the proper gifts. For a full illustration of this verse, the reader is requested to refer to the notes on 1 Corinthians 12:6-10; 1 Corinthians 12:28-30; and to the concluding observations at the end of that chapter.

Cambridge Bible on Ephesians 4:11

11. And he gave] The “He” is emphatic; it was He who gave. See above on Ephesians 4:7.—Immediately, the Holy Spirit is the Giver (1 Corinthians 12:8, &c.; cp. Acts 2:4; Acts 13:2). But His action is in Divine union with that of the Son, and vicariously for Him.some apostles] I.e., some men as apostles, and so through the passage. Cp. 1 Corinthians 12:28.—The gift is to the Church, from the Lord, of spiritually called and enabled human ministers.—“Apostles”:—see above on Ephesians 1:1.prophets] In the enumeration, 1 Corinthians 12:28, this “ministry” comes second, as here. On the “prophets” of the N. T. see above on Ephesians 2:20, and Appendix F.evangelists] The word occurs thrice in N.T.; here, Acts 21:8, and 2 Timothy 4:5. It seems, like our word “missionary,” to indicate not a defined ecclesiastical order (for Timothy “does the work of an evangelist,” while also an authoritative superintendent of pastors and churches), but rather a special kind of personal function in the ministry; the work of one called and devoted to direct proclamation of the Gospel message. It was thus an elastic word, like “missionary,” sometimes and oftenest denoting a minister’s special function, sometimes one only of his functions. “This passage,” our present passage, “would lead us to think of the evangelists as standing between the two groups,” (apostles and prophets, pastors and teachers,) “sent forth, as missionary preachers of the Gospel, by the first, and as such preparing the way for the labours of the second” (Smith’s Dict. of the Bible, under the word Evangelist). “The omission of evangelists in the list of 1 Corinthians 12 may be explained on the hypothesis that the nature of St Paul’s argument there led him to speak of the settled organization of a given local Church” (Ibidem).pastors and teachers] Not, “some pastors and some teachers.” The two functions are regarded as coinciding and combining in the one settled guardian of a local flock; an instructive fact.—Such a “pastor-teacher” had St Paul himself been at Ephesus (Acts 20), where indeed he had also been so conspicuously the “evangelist.”—On the pastoral aspect of the Christian ministry cp. John 21:16 (Gr. “shepherd my sheep”); Acts 20:28 (Gr., “shepherd the church of God”), 29; 1 Peter 5:2-3. See also Luke 17:7 (Gr., “a slave … shepherding”). And note the Lord’s own references to His supreme Pastorate, Matthew 25:32; Matthew 26:31; John 10; and Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 1 Peter 5:4; and Matthew 2:6 (Gr., “shall shepherd my people”). On the teaching aspect of the ministry, cf. esp. Acts 13:1; Acts 15:35; Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28-29; 1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24.

Barnes' Notes on Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some, apostles - He gave some to be apostles. The “object” here is to show that he has made ample provision for the extension and edification of his church On the meaning of the word

Whedon's Commentary on Ephesians 4:11

11. He gave—The fact that St. Paul here makes the gifts consist, not of the offices bestowed, but of the officers, seems to indicate that he nevertheless retained in thought the other interpretation,

Sermons on Ephesians 4:11

	Sermon	Description
	Don't Judge Your Spiritual Condition by Feelings by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on 1 Thessalonians 4:1, urging the brethren to walk in a way that pleases God and to continue growing in their faith. The preacher uses the ana
	Full Salvation by Martyn-Lloyd Jones	In this sermon, the preacher highlights how people in the modern world are enslaved by various things. They are slaves to the world, being governed by what others do, think, and sa
	The Gifts of the Spirit by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of unity and the role of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ. He highlights the need for every member of the church to work
	(Spiritual Gifts): Gifts of the Spirit 3 by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church. He criticizes those who lack the necessary qualities to effectively comm
	Gospel Healing for Hurting Marriages by Voddie Baucham	In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of people coming to church when they are facing difficulties in their closest relationships. He emphasizes the importance of underst
	The Missing Presence of Christ by Rolfe Barnard	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of moving back under the discipline of Christ as exercised in his church. He outlines the four things that constitute Christ's
	The Maturity of a Spiritual Leader by J. Oswald Sanders	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having someone behind us pouring on oil to keep us moving and generating power in our leadership positions. He encourages l