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7. Ἐνὶ δὲ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν. Cf. Eph 4:16. The all-embracing unity which St Paul has been describing calls for resolute self-repression on the part of each individual. Strange as it may seem, individuality is not thereby destroyed or weakened. It is consecrated and perfected. For, on the one hand, the perfection of the whole requires the perfection of each separate part, and on the other hand no part can attain its perfection except by consecrating its characteristic activity to the service of the whole.
ἐδόθη [ἡ] χάρις. Cf. Eph 3:2; Eph 3:7 of the grace given to St Paul. In his case the revelation made to him was his call and his endowment for his special office as Apostle of the Gentiles. It is possible to take (as Robinson) ἡ χάρις here in the same sense. The one revelation may be regarded as conferring on each his peculiar responsibility for making it known to others, and the endowment necessary for the task. See Hort Chr. Eccl. p. 156. In any case cf. 1Co 1:4; 1Co 12:7; Rom 12:6; 1Pe 4:10.
κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ χριστοῦ. Cf. Eph 4:13; Eph 4:16. What comes to each is none the less due to the free bounty of the giver, though it is not given indiscriminately or in like measure to all. The Parable of the Talents (Mat 25:14 ff.) supplies a partial illustration of the thought, cf. also Mar 13:34. Here the giver, as the context shows, is the Ascended Christ. Cf. Act 2:33.