Can someone please explain what this verse means?
"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” Eph 4:7
I understand Grace is unmerited favor. I don’t deserve it, but I have it. I looked up the word apportion… my humble understanding of the word, leads me to believe that Paul is refering to the gifts of the Spirit?
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Ed, looking at the context of the pericope in Ephesians 4:1-16, Paul is talking about the gifts of grace which God gives to believers to be used for the edification of the church.
Here's an entry from the Reformation Study Bible from Ligonier Ministries:
Here is a link to it in the Study Bible Note: "4:7 But grace was given to each one of us. All Christians share the grace of salvation through faith (2:5, 8). Each Christian is also given some p 2097 particular gift of grace to benefit the church (Paul speaks of his own in 3:2, 8). See Rom. 12:3–8; 1 Cor. 12:3–13, 27–30."
R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 2096–2097.
I recommend using a Passage Guide look up, or even the improved Factbook search on Ephesians 4:7, and even other verses, would be of assistance in digging further into the text.
Blessings to you, Ed!
-Jon
Pastor, Mt. Leonard Baptist Church, SBC
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Smart search really shines here.
For traditional search, I would start with books search for
Grace IN Bible:"Ephesians 4:7"
That will find passages where the word grace is used in a section that is tagged as being about Ephesians 4:7.
You could further refine it to include the Greek word
(Grace OR charis OR χάρις) IN Bible:"Ephesians 4:7"
That gives me lots of great results
You might want to restrict it from all books to type:commentary or create a collection of word study books.
Using Logos as a pastor, seminary professor, and Tyndale author
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I have no problem with your post, but I'd like to remind you that the software forums are not intended to provide you with answers as to what the verse means, however, it is intended to show you how to use Logos to find for yourself what the verse means. @Jonathan Bradley did a good job of doing the second.
Edit: as did @Justin Gatlin while I was typing my comment.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
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Thank you Jonathan. Interesting that you mention RC Sproul. My retired pastor’s favorite preacher. And then there are the 5 Solas: Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Fide (faith alone), Sola Gratia (grace alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone). Pastor Gary is an avid advocate for these five tenets, and he preaches salvation by grace alone about 75% of the time…. Thank you for explaining Grace as a gift, which it is, but as it relates to the spirit, there are a few gifts and not just the gift of salvation…
also thank you @Justin Gatlin,
@MJ. Smith … my apologies, I did not know about the community just being focused on the software only… Is there a subforum where I should've post this query or just messaging someone about it? Thank you again for your response and for previous assistance to other threads I posted.
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@Ed FernandezThere really isn't a Forum within the Logos Communities for theological discussion, or at least not one that I am aware of. However, there are other Christian forums out there, one of them being the Puritan Board, that you might want to look at.
Pastor, Mt. Leonard Baptist Church, SBC
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Well, within the Logos Communities (in plural) are also the Faithlife Groups, where the forum-rules don't apply, thus theological discussion as well as explaining the meaning of bible verses from a specific perspective is possible. One possible group could be Unfortunately, many of those groups are not really active.
Have joy in the Lord!
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@Jonathan Bradley Hey thanks for pointing me out to that forum… to be honest with you, it might be a little bit too much, as I am a member of other forums, not having to do with Bible study and reflection…but… I like @NB.Mick ’s forum on Faith Life, as it is not too crowded, as he stated. The forum seems geared towards Reformed Theology and would be something interesting to have some sharing and fellowship…Perhaps we can ignite the fire…
I encourage you to join me. Perhaps we can revive the place.
Have a safe and happy Memorial Sunday and tomorrow as well!
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@MJ. Smith Not sure what your christian roots are, but I encourage you to join the Faith Life forum that NB.Mick shared with us as well…
Have a happy and safe Memorial weekend!
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