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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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The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
3:1 For this reason I, Paul, o a prisoner of Christ Jesus p on behalf of you Gentiles—
2 assuming that you have heard of q the stewardship of r God’s grace that was given to me for you,
3 s how the mystery was made known to me t by revelation, u as I have written briefly.
4 v When you read this, you can perceive my insight into w 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 is1 that the Gentiles are x fellow heirs, y members of the same body, and z partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 a Of this gospel I was made b a minister according to the gift of c God’s grace, which was given me d by the working of his power.
8 To me, e though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, f to preach to the Gentiles the g unsearchable h riches of Christ,
9 and i to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery j hidden for ages in2 God, k who created all things,
10 so that through the church the manifold l wisdom of God m might now be made known to n the rulers and authorities o in the heavenly places.
11 This was p according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have q boldness and r access with s confidence through our t faith in him.
13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering u for you, v which is your glory. 1
For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
3:1 For this reason I, Paul, o a prisoner of Christ Jesus p on behalf of you Gentiles— 1
o o ch. 4:1; Acts 23:18; Phil. 1:7; [ch. 6:20]
p p ver. 13; Col. 1:24
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:1). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
This is why
For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
3:1 For this reason I, Paul, o a prisoner of Christ Jesus p on behalf of you Gentiles— 1
o o ch. 4:1; Acts 23:18; Phil. 1:7; [ch. 6:20]
p p ver. 13; Col. 1:24
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:1). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
A prisoner - a slave - a servant
I can go no where else
I am bound
I owe
I am not my known
I am not allowed to move without guidance or permission
3:1 For this reason I, Paul, o a prisoner of Christ Jesus p on behalf of you Gentiles— 1
o o ch. 4:1; Acts 23:18; Phil. 1:7; [ch. 6:20]
p p ver. 13; Col. 1:24
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:1). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
On behalf
In him
For him
For his purposes
For him alone
For God
To add to his mission
assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
2 assuming that you have heard of q the stewardship of r God’s grace that was given to me for you, 1
q q ch. 1:10; Col. 1:25; 1 Tim. 1:4
r r ver. 7; ch. 4:7; See Acts 11:23; Rom. 1:5
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:2). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
The stewardship
To manage something that is not my own
To watch after something that is not my own
To care for something that is not my own
To hold something that is not my own
To be responsible for
To watch after
how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
3 s how the mystery was made known to me t by revelation, u as I have written briefly. 1
s s Acts 22:17, 21; 26:16–18
t t [Dan. 2:29]; See Rom. 16:25; 2 Cor. 12:1
u u [ch. 1:9, 10]
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:3). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Give to me by God
Not mine
Not my creation
3 s how the mystery was made known to me t by revelation, u as I have written briefly. 1
s s Acts 22:17, 21; 26:16–18
t t [Dan. 2:29]; See Rom. 16:25; 2 Cor. 12:1
u u [ch. 1:9, 10]
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:3). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
By revelation
The making known of something that was previously secret or unknown
disclosure telling
divulgence publication
broadcasting unveiling
communication
When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
4 v When you read this, you can perceive my insight into w the mystery of Christ, 1
v v [2 Cor. 11:6]
w w Col. 4:3
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:4). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Not that I am wise
But that I understand
Insight - translates to “union”
Joining
Oneness, unity
The state or quality of being identical
identicalness sameness
uniformity alikeness
parity identity
equality resemblance
indistinguishability unity
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.
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. 1
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:5). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
This is new
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.
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. 1
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:5). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
One of the jobs of the spirit is to reveal things to us
He has intentions, shows willfulness and discretion, loves, communicates, testifies, teaches, and prays (Neh 9:20; Jn 15:26; Ac 13:2; Rm 8:26,27; 15:30; 1Co 12:11).
These are qualities that distinguish Him as a person.
You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. - Nehemiah 9:20
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. - John 15:26
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” - Acts 13:2
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. - Romans 8:26-27
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. - Romans 15:30
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. - 1 Corinthians 12:11
To teach us all things
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.
6 This mystery is1 that the Gentiles are x fellow heirs, y members of the same body, and z partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 1
1 1 The words This mystery is are inferred from verse 4
x x See Gal. 3:29
y y ch. 2:16
z z ch. 5:7
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:6). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
This is the mystery...
Something the Jews had misplaced or forgotten.
They were the chosen people for His purposes, also stewards like Paul to carry something that wasn’t theirs...
But they lost thier place...
od’s Word affirms that the Jews are God’s chosen people: “You are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6).
From eternity past God knew that He would need to be born into the human race in order to save us from the spiritually dead condition that we were in (Ephesians 1—2; Genesis 3).
God had planned from the beginning to be born into a very small nation or race of people called the Jews. The Old Testament tells the story of how God set about creating, distinguishing, and preserving that race.
The ultimate goal of God’s choice of the Jews as His chosen people was to produce the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would be the Savior of the world. Jesus had to come from some nation or people, and God chose Israel. God first promised the Savior/Messiah after Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis 3).
Later, God specified that the Messiah would come from the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12). Later still, He narrowed the Messiah’s ancestry to the line of David (2 Samuel 7).
Throughout their history, the people of Israel were aware of their “chosen” status before God (see 1 Kings 3:8; 8:53; Psalm 105:43; Isaiah 43:4; 65:9; and Amos 3:2). The fact that God has an eternal future for Israel is evident in that five sixths of the Bible bears directly or indirectly upon them—Jesus being the central figure who brought the Jews and Gentiles together (Ephesians 2:14).
The fact that the Jews are God’s chosen people means that they have been held to a high standard. From those who are given much, much is required (Luke 12:48), or as God said through one prophet, “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins” (Amos 3:2).
Israel’s responsibilities have included keeping and preserving the Law (Joshua 22:5); being “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6); and bringing “renown and praise and honor” to the Lord (Jeremiah 13:11).
Their high calling is straight from the God who chose them out of all the nations of the earth.
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.
7 a Of this gospel I was made b a minister according to the gift of c God’s grace, which was given me d by the working of his power. 1
a a Col. 1:23, 25
b b See 2 Cor. 3:6
c c See ver. 2
d d [ver. 20]; See ch. 1:19
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:7). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Good news
We are one
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.
7 a Of this gospel I was made b a minister according to the gift of c God’s grace, which was given me d by the working of his power. 1
a a Col. 1:23, 25
b b See 2 Cor. 3:6
c c See ver. 2
d d [ver. 20]; See ch. 1:19
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:7). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
The sacrifice of his son
Eph 1:20-21
"20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. "
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,
8 To me, e though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, f to preach to the Gentiles the g unsearchable h riches of Christ, 1
e e See 1 Cor. 15:9
f f See Acts 9:15
g g [Job 5:9; Rom. 11:33]
h h See ch. 1:18; Rom. 2:4
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:8). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Certainly the last
The last? That’s questionable
Paul felt this way because of all the things that he’s done in his past
-persecuting Christ
-persecuting Christians
-persecution Christ’s Church
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,
8 To me, e though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, f to preach to the Gentiles the g unsearchable h riches of Christ, 1
e e See 1 Cor. 15:9
f f See Acts 9:15
g g [Job 5:9; Rom. 11:33]
h h See ch. 1:18; Rom. 2:4
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:8). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
What Christ provides is beyond all measure
Wisdom
Power
Etc etc
The Greek word translated “unsearchable” describes something that cannot be fully comprehended or explored. In other words, there is no limit to the riches of Christ; they are past finding out. Try as we might, we can never plumb the depths of Christ’s worth.
Paul delineates some of these riches in Ephesians 1:7–14: redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, the knowledge of the mystery of His will, the message of truth, the sealing of the Holy Spirit, and the guarantee of our inheritance. These are spiritual riches with eternal benefits, and we cannot fully comprehend them.
Jesus taught two short parables that emphasize the value of eternal life and the kingdom of God:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:44–46).
Like a hidden treasure or a pearl of great price, admission to the kingdom is of incalculable worth—and it is Jesus Christ who grants the admission.
The unsearchable riches of Christ are on display in every believer’s heart.
The unsearchable riches of Christ cannot be fully traced out. “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9), so the riches of Christ include all that God is. The unsearchable riches of Christ are the Glory of God, the Truth of God, the Wisdom of God, the Life of God, and the Love of God. In Christ, God “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3).
In Christ are hidden “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). In Christ, God “has given us everything we need for a godly life” (2 Peter 1:3).
In Ephesians 3:8 Paul refers to himself as “less than the least of all the Lord’s people.” This humble statement is then contrasted with “the boundless riches of Christ.” Paul describes himself as the lowest of believers while lifting Jesus up as the greatest of all. Every believer, in like humility, acknowledges the all-surpassing goodness and grace of God: “The LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Psalm 84:11).
Christ’s riches that He makes available to us are not material but spiritual. The unsearchable riches of Christ provide salvation to everyone who believes (John 3:16; Romans 1:16).
We may be the worst of sinners, yet Jesus can forgive us and transform our lives (Romans 12:1–2). It is the gift that truly keeps on giving, as we are changed, by God’s Spirit, into “loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled” people (Galatians 5:22–23, CEV).
The treasures of Christ are inexhaustible, they are unsearchable, and they are forever.
so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
9 and i to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery j hidden for ages in2 God, k who created all things,
10 so that through the church the manifold l wisdom of God m might now be made known to n the rulers and authorities o in the heavenly places. 1
i i See ver. 2, 3
j j Col. 1:26
2 2 Or by
k k Rev. 4:11; [ch. 2:10]
l l Rom. 11:33
m m [1 Pet. 1:12]
n n ch. 1:21; [ch. 6:12]
o o See ch. 1:3
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:9–10). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
He wants us to know ...
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
11 This was p according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have q boldness and r access with s confidence through our t faith in him. 1
p p See ch. 1:11
q q Heb. 4:16; 10:19
r r See ch. 2:18
s s 2 Cor. 3:4
t t Mark 11:22; Phil. 3:9
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:11–12). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
His righteousness empowers us
So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering u for you, v which is your glory. 1
u u ver. 1
v v [2 Cor. 1:6]
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 3:13). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
I know you might see me suffering and wonder how a guard so great so immeasurable can allow me to suffer in this way but do not be discouraged
Romans 8:28 Paul wrote...
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.