Ephesians 3 — Mystery of Christ
Introduction: Paul reinforced the fact that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. He encouraged the believers at Ephesus to carefully consider what he has already written as he continued to explain the mystery revealed in Christ.
NOTE: All Bible passages are taken from the 1901 American Standard Version.
A — Gentiles Are Fellow Partakers of the Promise in Christ
Ephesians 3 “1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles, 2 if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; 3 how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, 4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; 5 which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.”
Comments: Paul said that he would consider himself a prisoner in the behalf of the Gentiles if they had heard that he had administered to them the grace of God. The mystery of the gospel in Christ was given to him by revelation, and if they read it carefully they could be aware of his understanding of that mystery. In other generations this was not revealed to men, as it had now been revealed to God’s holy apostles and prophets through the Spirit — that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Paul had closed his letter to the Romans with a similar doxology about this mystery which had been kept silent through times eternal, but now is manifested by the scriptures of the prophets, made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith, to the only wise God through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever (Romans 16:25–27).
B — Preaching the Unsearchable Riches of Christ
Ephesians 3 “8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things; 10 to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. 13 Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.”
Comments: Paul referred to himself as being less than the least of all saints to emphasize how much God’s grace had worked within him — giving the credit not to him, but to God. He had written similarly in 1 Corinthians 15:9–11 that by the grace of God he is what he is, and that grace was not found vain. Paul wanted all men to see the explanation of the mystery which for ages had been hidden in God who created all things, to the intent that the many kinds of wisdom of God might be made known through the body of believers unto the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was an eternal plan prepared in Christ Jesus. Through faith in Christ believers have boldness and access to God in confidence. Therefore Paul asked them not to be discouraged by his tribulations for preaching to Gentiles. The apostle Peter covered similar points in 1 Peter 1:8–12, including that even angels desire to look into these things.
C — Be Filled unto All the Fullness of God
Ephesians 3 “14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.”
Comments: Paul wanted the Ephesian believers to know that he was praying to God the Father that they would not become discouraged and lose the boldness and access in confidence that they have through their belief in Christ. Paul’s request in prayer was that God would grant according to the riches of his glory that they be strengthened with power through God’s Spirit in the inward man, that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith. The desired result was that being rooted and grounded in love, they may be strong to apprehend with all the saints the grand dimensions of their status — and to know the love of Christ which surpasses full comprehension, that they may be filled unto all the fullness of God.
D — Glory to God unto All Generations Forever
Ephesians 3 “20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.”
Comments: As Paul reached this point in his thoughts as he wrote to the believers at Ephesus, his own spirit was lifted to directly praise the Lord as the one who is able to do not just what we might ask of him or even think about, but so much more in amazing abundance through the power that he has given by his Spirit within us. As we agree with Paul we should understand his unrestrained enthusiasm and joy in saying that all generations shall see the glory of God in the church and in Christ Jesus forever — and therefore we will joyfully add our amen!
Reflections in Prayer
LORD, I thank you for the mystery of the gospel in Christ that has been revealed to me through your chosen apostles and prophets in the scriptures written by them as guided by your Holy Spirit. This had not been made known to previous generations over many centuries until you, Father, sent the Son into the world to completely open the way for all people to have access to salvation by grace through faith. I praise you, LORD that I am now among so many others who have become heirs to your promises without being physically a descendent of Abraham. Lord Jesus, help me to fully grasp the boldness and access in confidence that I have to you through my faith in Christ. I want to follow Paul’s prayer to ask that you grant to me according to the riches of your glory, to be strengthened with power through the Holy Spirit in the inward man. As Christ dwells in my heart making me rooted and grounded in love, may that bring me to a more complete surrender of my own will that I might apprehend all the fullness of God by the love of Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit that works within every believer, may all glory be yours alone, LORD, through the church in Christ Jesus forever! Amen.
Published 5 May 2015