The verb is aorist tense. The aorits, however, does not merely function as
a punctiliar; it can also have an ingressive sense. Thus, it would be
legitimate to here translate "he continuously gives..." etc.
>The question behind the question is: can this verse be used to support
>the idea of a present-day five-fold ministry? Or did the church at one
>time have apostles and people ministering in the office of apostle, but
>currently we have evangelists, pastors and teachers?
>
in fact, an "apostle" is a missionary- a sent one. That the author of
ephesians thought that there were only 12 "apostles" is not correct. By the
time ephesians was written (around 70-80 a.d.) there were in fact none of
the 12 still alive- but there were plenty of "missionaries".
>Thanks,
>
>Anton
>
Jim
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Jim West
Adjunct Professor of Bible,
Quartz Hill School of Theology
jwest@highland.net