ephesians 4 and 1 corinthians 12

Ephesians 4:11-16

Ernest Best writes, ‘2.20 and 3.5 imply strongly that those called apostles and prophets filled foundational roles and were not contemporary with the author and his readers.’ [1] I agree with Best about the likely meaning of Ephesians 2:20 and 3:5 - 2:20 seems to refer to the universal church while Ephesians 3:5 appears to speak of the apostles as the recipients of normative revelation. (In both cases, though, the possibility of other readings cannot be excluded). [2] Even if Best is right, we have already seen that different models of apostleship can operate within a single NT book and I submit that the immediate context of Ephesians 4:11 should determine its interpretation. Though he ultimately rejects a Restorationist reading, Clark admits that ongoing apostleship is ‘certainly the impression that the passage gives.’ [3] Kreitzer admits the possibility that the passage allows for ongoing apostleship. [4] According to Barth, ‘In 4:11 it is assumed that the church at all times needs the witness of ‘apostles’ and ‘prophets’ … Ephesians 4 does not contain the faintest hint that the charismatic character of all church ministries was restricted to a certain period of church history and was later to die out.’ [5]

1 Corinthians 12:28

Similar debate surrounds 1 Corinthians 12:28. Garland believes that the apostles referred to here are ‘witnesses of the resurrection,’ [6] but he does not explain why apostles are grouped together with at least one ministry which clearly continues – that of teachers. [7] Fitzmyer’s reading seems more consistent: ‘In this passage the apostolic role is to be understood as a form of diakonia ‘ministry’ or ‘service’ (12:5), as are the next two.’ [8] Here no wedge is artificially driven between the ministries listed. Collins allows for a plurality of meanings in association with the term apostle. In this verse, however, ‘its presence at the head of the list and its specific enumeration seem to identify it as a most significant, that is, a foundational function. Those who are apostles in this sense are those who, having preached the gospel, are involved in the foundation of a Christian community.’ [9] Τhere is nothing in this interpretation which restricts apostleship to the early church.

---

[1] Ernest Best, Essays on Ephesians, (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1997)

 p160, cf. also R. Schnackenburg, The Epistle to the Ephesians, (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1991), p.182

[2] cf. M. Barth, Ephesians, (New York: Doubleday, 1974), p.437

[3] Clark (1989), p.64

[4] L. J. Kreitzer, The Epistle to the Ephesians, (Peterborough: Epworth, 1997), p.

[5] Barth (1974), p.437

[6] Garland (2003), p.599

[7] Garland (2003), p.598

[8] Fitzmyer (2008) p.482

[9] Collins (1999), p.469