“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”
King James Version (KJV)
4:11 And, among other his free gifts, he gave some apostles - His chief ministers and special witnesses, as having seen him after his resurrection, and received their commission immediately from him. And same prophets, and some evangelists - A prophet testifies of things to come; an evangelist of things past: and that chiefly by preaching the gospel before or after any of the apostles. All these were extraordinary officers. The ordinary were. Some pastors - Watching over their several flocks. And some teachers - Whether of the same or a lower order, to assist them, as occasion might require.
Eph 4:11 And he gave. It has just been shown that Christ "gave gifts to men" (Eph 4:7,8). Of these gifts were various offices. The object of all these offices was to promote "the unity of the faith" (Eph 4:13). Christ has appointed the offices, and gives the men in the church who are fitted for these offices. In the matter of those offices that continue, it is the duty of the church to recognize and call out the men who meet the conditions Christ has given. Some, apostles. The apostles were all chosen by Christ. All had to be witnesses of his resurrection (Ac 1:22). They, therefore, could have no successors, but their own office continues. They still remain teachers and in authority by their writings and example. And some, prophets. An inspired office, essential in the church for its teaching until the New Testament was completed. And some, evangelists. Such as Philip (Ac 8:4-12 21:8), Timothy (2Ti 4:2), Titus (Tit 2:1,15), etc. This office is to preach the gospel, and will be necessary as long as the church continues on earth. As this office did not require extraordinary gifts, it is permanent. And some, pastors and teachers. These were not distinct offices. Bishops, or elders, and especially those "who labored in word and doctrine" (1Ti 5:17), came under this head. A pastor should always be an elder, but it is not certain that a teacher was always an elder. These offices were all given for the purposes indicated in Eph 4:12.
And he gaue some, Apostles: and some, Prophets: and some, Euangelists: and some, Pastors, and teachers:
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
And He gave some {as} apostles, and some {as} prophets, and some {as} evangelists, and some {as} pastors and teachers,
- New American Standard Version (1995)
And he gave some `to be' apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
- American Standard Version (1901)
And he gave some as Apostles, and some, prophets; and some, preachers of the good news; and some to give care and teaching;
- Basic English Bible
and *he* has given some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some shepherds and teachers,
- Darby Bible
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
- Webster's Bible
And He Himself appointed some to be Apostles, some to be Prophets, some to be evangelists, some to be pastors and teachers,
- Weymouth Bible
He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;
- World English Bible
And he yaf summe apostlis, summe prophetis, othere euangelistis, othere scheepherdis and techeris,
- Wycliffe Bible
and He gave some [as] apostles, and some [as] prophets, and some [as] proclaimers of good news, and some [as] shepherds and teachers,
- Youngs Literal Bible