Ephesians

Ephesians 3:1–13 ESV

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 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. 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. 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. 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, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

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What it is:

Ephesians 1:7–10 ESV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Paul: Who he is, what his ministry is

Ephesians 6:18–20 ESV

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Gospel: Purpose and significance

The NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians Paul the Steward of Grace and Servant of the Gospel (3:2–7)

Paul is a steward in charge of God’s grace. If he fails in his task, the Gentiles will be deprived of God’s grace.

Romans 16:25–26 ESV

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—

English Standard Version Chapter 16

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 ESV

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

The NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians Paul the Steward of Grace and Servant of the Gospel (3:2–7)

As indicated above, this term does not refer to something unknown. Rather, in a Semitic context it refers to what is known only because God revealed it. More specifically here, it refers to the revelation that the Gentiles are included in Christ as equals (see esp. 3:6)

Colossians 1:25–27 ESV

of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Ephesians 1:9 ESV

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Colossians 2:2–3 ESV

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2–3

Colossians 2:2–3 ESV

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Mystery: All things are brought together in Christ…a Double union. With Christ, and union of Jews and Gentiles

Ephesians 3:6 ESV

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.

Galatians 3:7–8 ESV

Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

Colossians 4:3 ESV

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—

3:6 Heirs together…this is poetic. It is alliteration.

synkleronoma kai syssoma kai symmetocha

Heirs: The inheritance

Why it is significant:

The NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians The Purpose and Significance of the Gospel (3:8–13)

The focus in Ephesians on “the rulers and authorities” has to do with evil powers, not good angels or human institutions. This verse should thus be understood in the context of the display of God’s glory even to those who oppose him. In 1:19–22 and Colossians 2:15, Paul announces the defeat of the powers in Christological terms, based on the cross and resurrection.

The NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians The Purpose and Significance of the Gospel (3:8–13)

“His eternal purpose” is literally the “purpose of the ages,” which connects to “for ages past” in verse 9 and to the discussion of God’s purpose in 1:9–11. Note the past tense “accomplished.” The “not yet” part of faith is still there, but God’s purpose has already been accomplished in Christ. What remains is an unfolding of what has already been established. Once again Ephesians is theocentric, focusing on what God has accomplished in Christ.

The NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians Bridging Contexts

Are we not required to see that proclaiming the gospel includes insistence on unity as part of the message? Our divisions are not between Jew and Greek, but both our divisions and our individualism are attacked by the theology of unity in this text. To be in Christ is to be made one with all who are in him.

Unity: Even in relationship…all christians, friends, workers: SPOUCES

Beatitude

The NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians Bridging Contexts

The biggest problem in bringing the boldness offered in this passage into our lives is that we are often not convinced of the truth of our own gospel. Possibly we have been too inattentive or the message has been too frequently distorted by the messengers

The NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians Contemporary Significance

The gospel is not merely about getting to heaven; it is about life now as well as in eternity. It is as much about discipleship as about initial conversion, as much about unity as about individual faith, and as much about new life as about forgiveness. Focusing on the gospel will require the recovery of a full-orbed gospel.

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Beatitude