Ephesians 3
September 2
Reading: Ephesians 3
1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles-- 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
The first sentence of this chapter in Greek runs through verses 1-7. Paul is explaining that he has been made a steward of the mystery of Christ to the nations. A steward is a caretaker. The second sentence runs through verses 8-13. Here Paul explains that he has been made a preacher of this mystery of Christ to the nations.
What is this “mystery of Christ?” (vs. 4)
It is the grace of God made known by revelation. (vss. 2-3) It has “now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” (vs. 5) It was “hidden for ages” but now by the wisdom of God it is made known through the church according to God’s eternal purpose. (vss. 9-11) The word “mystery” shows up in Ephesians 1:9, 5:32, and 6:19. It shows up in Colossians four times and in 1 Corinthians 2:7. 1 Peter 1:10-12 helps us understand the mystery of the Gospel without using the word.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
This mystery is a mystery no longer. That is Paul’s point. God has been planning something through the ages that now has been revealed through Jesus Christ in the Scriptures. And this truth is for the whole world! Isn’t it amazing that you get to have insight into this mystery.
This is why Paul begins to pray in Ephesians 3:14. It is a prayer that believers would comprehend the power and love of God in Christ which surpasses knowledge. Only God can answer a prayer like this, which is the point of verses 20-21. Amen!