Paul: Preacher To The Gentiles

PAUL: PREACHER TO THE GENTILES

Ephesians 3:1-13

Introduction:  God sent Paul, especially, to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; 22:21).  In our passage for study Paul is reminding the Ephesians of that.  He knows what he is talking about because what he gave them he got from God, Himself. 

I. Paul:  Apostle to the Gentiles

     A. Prisoner of Christ    vs. 1    Prison Epistle

     B. The stewardship of God’s grace was given to Paul   vs. 2, 9

          1. οἰκονομία: a task involving management and organization; task, commission, responsibility.

          2. οἰκονομία: a plan which involves a set of arrangements (referring in the NT to God’s plan for bringing salvation to mankind within the course of history); purpose, scheme, plan, arrangement.

          3. οἰκονομία: to manage and provide for a household; to manage a household, to run a household, to be in charge of a household.

     C. The mystery was given to Paul by revelation    vs. 3-6

          1. Mystery is “Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

          2. By revelation     It was made known to him by direct revelation from God. We are not told where this happened, or how; all we know is that in some miraculous way God showed Paul His plan for a church composed of converted Jews and converted Gentiles. [1]

          3. Mystery was not revealed to earlier generations   (hidden for ages, vs. 9)

              a. Matthew 13:17   Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

              b. 1 Peter 1:10-12   10 It was concerning this salvation that the prophets made careful search and investigation, and they prophesied about this gift which God would give you. 11They tried to find out when the time would be and how it would come. This was the time to which Christ’s Spirit in them was pointing, in predicting the sufferings that Christ would have to endure and the glory that would follow. 12God revealed to these prophets that their work was not for their own benefit, but for yours, as they spoke about those things which you have now heard from the messengers who announced the Good News by the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These are things which even the angels would like to understand.

     D. Paul was made a servant    vs. 7

          1. διάκονος: a person who renders service; servant.

          2. 1 Corinthians 9:16-18     16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may make the gospel free of charge, not making full use of my right in the gospel.

     E. Paul considered himself the least

          1. Unworthy

          2. ἐλαχιστότερος: (an unusual comparative formed from the superlative eláchistos, least.) Less than the least, far less, far inferior (Eph. 3:8). [2]

     F. Paul’s mystery was at that time being made known through the church   vs. 10     Possibly by preaching or worship

II. “So”    vs. 13 

     A. “Do not lose heart”   vs. 13  

     B. ἐγκακέω: to lose one’s motivation to accomplish some valid goal; to become discouraged, to lose heart, to give up.

     C. Now Jew and Gentile can approach God     vs. 12

          1. παρρησία: a state of boldness and confidence, sometimes implying intimidating circumstances; boldness, courage, confidence, fearlessness; outspokenness, frankness, plainness of speech, that conceals nothing and passes over nothing; openness, willingness to share feelings

          2. πεποίθμσις: to believe in something or someone to the extent of placing reliance or trust in or on; to rely on, to trust in, to depend on, to have (complete) confidence in, confidence, trust.

Conclusion:  Paul is telling us that he got his message from God, Himself.  Paul’s message is/was inspired by God.  It is inerrant, perfect for those to whom it was written.  We learn from the same inspired word to be confident in our relationship with God. 

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[1]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[2]Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.