Ephesians 3:1-13 Gospel Revealed
The apostle Paul was no stranger to being a prisoner. He was held for two years in Caesarea and many more years in Rome. However, he is not saying he is a prisoner of the Jews or even of Caesar. He clearly states that he is a prisoner for Jesus Christ on behalf of the Gentiles. On the surface that simply does not sound appealing, why would Paul claim to be a prisoner of Jesus? Because he knew something that all Christians will eventually learn, Jesus knows best! Paul lived and worked by faith, he trusted God, much like a prisoner can only do what the prison warden allows them to do. To Paul being a prisoner was not a negative thing, remember he is the one that 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.” (Romans 8:28, ESV) We may not like being called a prisoner but we should, as we need more of Him and less of us.
We see early in his ministry that Paul would have preferred to evangelize to his own people but he knew his ministry was primarily to reach out to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:15; 26:17; Romans 11:13; 15:16 and 1 Timothy 1:12-17, perhaps that is why he called himself a prisoner!) He assumes the Gentiles already knew about his outreach to them but restates it using a term that is generally associated with the management of someone else’s property or wealth, namely the word ‘stewardship’. Being a steward of God’s grace was undoubtedly a serious responsibility for each one of Jesus’ apostles (and it should be for us today too), however in Paul’s case much of his instruction came by means of revelation (see Romans 16:25; 2 Corinthians 12:1). He called the concept of God inviting Gentiles to be saved as a mystery.
We touched briefly on the meaning of the word ‘mystery’ as used in this epistle in Chapter 4. The Greek word mystērion (used six times in this epistle) does not refer to some mystery to solve, it simply means that it was something that was not known or seen before. It could be a secret or something that could not be naturally known thus requiring some form of instruction or in this case a revelation to be made known.
What is this great mystery? The mystery that was in a sense concealed in the Old Testament and now revealed in the New Testament was the plan of God reconciling both Jew and Gentile together as fellow heirs, members of the same body, the church. The gospel, or good news he refers to is that Jesus made it possible for all people who accept His grace to live with Him for eternity.
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.
The word stewardship implies the careful and responsible management of something that has been entrusted from one group or person to another. Paul was given the responsibility to preach to the Gentiles, he lovingly and carefully preached God’s grace wherever he went.
The term ‘revelation’ (or apokalypsis in the Greek, the root word for the word apocalypse) simply means a revealing of something that was not previously known, a disclosure of truth or manifestation. Sometimes the use of the word or its Greek equivalent imply some form of “end time” scenario, this is not an accurate use or interpretation of the word. The end time connection comes from the name of the last book in the Bible (Revelation from the Latin language or Apocalypse from the Greek language) since the bulk of the book describes many end-of-age events and as a result the use of the term has taken on a different connotation. But that is not how the Bible uses that term. Paul is saying that he learned about God from instruction given to him from God.
By using the phrase, “perceive my insight” Paul is asking his readers to understand his wisdom. Paul is very careful when he is teaching the Gentiles since he knows that many of them do not have a Jewish background and may not understand certain traditions or cultural idioms (another reason why Christians should know the entire Word of God including the Old Testament).
Paul was revealing through the Holy Spirit that Jesus was the Christ, He came to suffer and die, He came for both the Jew and the Gentile and that He was offering salvation freely. The role of the apostles was to take the information they learned during their time with Jesus to the world as the Holy Spirit guided them. Paul, being the last apostle of Jesus was given his instruction through direct revelation by the Holy Spirit (see 2 Corinthians 12:7). Just like the Old Testament prophets that spoke the words given to them by God. Much of the Old Testament contains stories and prophecies that cannot be fully understood without the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
Here again we read about, “fellow heirs” or “co-heirs” (as discussed in chapter 5) referring that two or more people will inherit the same inheritance. Paul tells us that we will be fellow heirs with Jesus in heaven (see Romans 8:12-17). No matter how many times we may hear that statement, we humans on earth may never be able to fully comprehend what this truly means (until we’re there of course).
In its simplest form, to ‘partake’ means to do something with someone else. Being ‘partakers’ means we will jointly participate in something. Here Paul is saying that all believers will be able to participate in the promise, which begins with eternal life with Jesus, we are also to share in His blessings. The New Living Translation renders verse six, “And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.” (NLT)
To say that Paul was enthusiastic for God and evangelism would be an understatement. Paul was a changed man, his priority of teaching and preaching the gospel never wavered. Telling others about Jesus was his passion. In today’s terms we would call Paul, “on fire for the Lord.” Besides understanding the text that he wrote we need to understand the urgency and the importance of helping others find salvation through Christ. We might admire or perhaps envy Paul’s boldness and confidence, thinking he is strong in the Lord. Paul is reminding us here that we all have the same access to God and can be just as successful as Paul was in his outreach ministry.
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.
With phrases like, “according to the gift” and “working of his power,” Paul is acknowledging that he would not be able to do what he was called to do without the power of God available to him through the Holy Spirit beginning with the gift of grace.
Paul referred to himself as the least of all of Jesus’ apostles on more than one occasion. This was not a reference to being the last apostle or one that was taught through revelation and not through directly witnessing Jesus during his ministry. Even though Jesus forgave him for his treatment of the early church apparently Paul never got over what he did and for that he called himself, the least (see 1 Corinthians 15:9).
The term ‘unsearchable’ is not a reference to something that cannot be found. The good news is that the unsearchable riches of Christ can be found! The term refers to the fact that they are beyond comprehension (see also Job 5:9 and Romans 11:35). God’s riches are beyond our ability to think or imagine!
Paul was chosen to preach to the Gentiles so that the manifold (literally “many varied” or diverse) wisdom of God may be known. We can know God’s wisdom, James teaches, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8, ESV) God’s wisdom is certainly diverse in so many ways. Out of God’s mouth come not only sound wisdom but all knowledge and understanding (see Proverbs 2:1-15).
The rulers and authorities that Paul are referring to are in heaven. Apparently the church not only proclaims the truth to others here on earth but also while doing that here on earth, we are revealing the truth to the rulers and authorities in heaven as well! Who are these rulers and authorities? This is a subject of debate, they could be the angels or perhaps something more sinister like what Paul will discuss in later chapter six.
When we consider the “eternal purpose,” knowing that from the beginning of time God wanted us to spend eternity with Him, we should be able to move boldly for Christ knowing that we have access to Him and His power beyond our ability to understand. Our faith in this confidence allows us to be used as powerful witnesses to others.
Paul did not want the church to lose heart for his suffering (undoubtedly referring to his imprisonment in Rome), as he didn’t want the church to feel responsible for his sufferings (he will later ask for prayers for himself in Ephesians 6:19-20, but not to alleviate suffering but for him to be more bold!) The request to not lose heart also implied that he didn’t want them to get angry over his incarceration. Paul wrote extensively about suffering (see Romans 8:12-17; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7).