Anton,
Just a thought. Even though this is an aorist verb, it does not necessarily limit the endowment represented to the past. It may limit the act, but does not limit the nature of the endowment. IMHO the tense cannot dtermine this. Only the context can really determine whether or not Paul intended a permanent endowment or a temporary one.
Paul F. Evans
Pastor
Thunder Swamp Pentecostal Holiness Church
MT. Olive
E-mail: evans@esn.net
Web-page: http://ww2.esn.net/~evans
----------
> From: Anton Hein <ahein@xs4all.nl>
> To: B-GREEK@virginia.edu
> Subject: Ephesians 4:11?
> Date: Tuesday, October 07, 1997 9:00 AM
>
> Hi,
>
> I have a question regarding Ephesians 4:11. In the Greek, is the "gave"
> in this verse a continuing action, or a one-time act.
>
> 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?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Anton
> --
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