“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”
So Christ himself gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers — the risen Christ gave (didōmi) the charismatic gifts (domata) to the church: apostoloi ('apostles,' sent ones), prophētai ('prophets,' God-speakers), euangelistai ('evangelists,' gospel-proclaimers), poimenes kai didaskaloi ('pastors and teachers,' shepherds and instructors), the fourfold or fivefold ministry.
Church Fathers on Ephesians 4:11
“And He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ.” What he said elsewhere, “Wherefore also God has highly exalted Him” Philippians 2:9, that says he also here. “He that descended, is the same also that ascended.” It did Him no injury that He came down into the lower parts of the earth, nor was it any hindrance…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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