Note 23 at Eph. 4:13: We now have stated the duration of the gifts listed in verse 11. It is, "Till we all come in the unity of the faith," i.e. until every individual Christian sees and believes alike on the fundamentals of our faith. These gifts will also continue to function until we all come into "the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man," i.e. unto a perfect knowledge that results in maturity. And they will continue until we come "Unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." This phrase contains the idea of a child developing into maturity.

The results of all this should be that we are no longer immature, tossed to and fro by every teaching, caught by the sleight and cunning craftiness of men. It is certain that these results haven't happened yet, so apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers must still be around today.

Note 24 at Eph. 4:13: Many people think it will never happen that all Christians will come into unity and a maturity approaching that of Christ. But this verse makes it very clear that this is the purpose and design of God giving these gifts to men. He anticipates the church growing up (v. 14).

Note 25 at Eph. 4:13: This is amazing that Paul is proclaiming that Christians should come to the full stature of Christ. That was the design of the Lord when he gave gifts to men (v. 11). This isn't considered possible by most Christians today and therefore, it certainly is not their goal. However, if this is what the Lord intended, we should at least be striving towards this mark (Phil. 3:14).