Mark

Cheryl- if you are still floating around out there!!!

I came across an interesting verse while reading the bible the other day and wondered your opinion (or others)

In other posts you have said that an elder is a work (ergon) and NOT a gift. Note, in Eph 4:11 which we have discussed one of the gifts is an ‘evangelist’.

Now this is the verse that struck me

” As for you, ?always be sober-minded, ?endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, ?fulfill your ministry.” 2 Tim 4:5

The key phrase is ‘do the work (ergon) of an evangelist.’ Here Paul instructs Timothy to do a work (note same word as 1 Tim 3:1 used of elders- ergon). So the question has to be raised. Is an ‘evangelist’ a gift or a work? Perhaps both? Or are we all evangelists (in fulfillment of the great commission- Matt 28) which is a ‘work’ but the gifting of an evangelist is different?

Whatever the outcome how would this effect your understanding of an elder being a ‘work’ and not a gift per-se. Or is the officiating role of an elder (i.e shephard) simply another term for a pastor (literally a shephard) but Paul calls it a ‘work’ in 1 Tim 3. Since Eph 4 does not have the term ‘gift’ in it (i dont think anyway) have we been wrong by distinguishing between a so called gift and a work.

Interested on peoples thoughts?