This is a Mystery!!!
Ephesians 3:1-13
Remember: In Eph 2:11-22, Paul has laid out God’s plan for His “international family”.
This is not an issue of God “changing His Mind” about saving all of Israel. Paul addresses that in Romans 9-11. It has always been a remnant as in Rom. 9:6b-8:
“For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “in Isaac your seed shall be called.” (See also Gal. 3:7) That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” He quotes Isa 10:22-23 as evidence of this truth from the lips of the prophet.
What Paul has addressed is the Lord’s eternal plan to “expand the field” from which He harvests the remnant of adopted children for His Family. See also Rom. 4:16
Ephesians 3:1-7 The Mystery of Christ.
Vs 1 Paul seems to be headed in the direction of Vs 14–Prayer for that which is essential for the family to “grow into a holy temple in the Lord, a dwelling place of God in the Spirit”. But something more seems essential to him–expressing the validity of his previous words. (2:11-22)
Vs 1b He is the prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles. Acts 9:1-18 Paul’s arrest and commission. esp. vs 15&16
Vs 2 This is Paul’s “dispensation”= #3622 “Primarily signifies the management of a household or of household affairs, a stewardship.” New Strongs DOBW. Paul’s Divinely Appointed job was to manage the beginning affairs of this bringing Gentiles into the Family of the Father.”
Vs 3 This “in-gathering” is a mystery, the mystery of Christ, which he was taught by God by special revelation. See Acts 22:17- 21; 26:14-18 (He has already explained the “process of the mystery” in 2:11-22–in a few words.)
Vs 4 Paul is careful that his readers understand that his understanding of this understanding (yes I intended to multiply "understanding") isn’t his own “flight of fancy”. After all, Paul, the Jewish terrorist who tried to stamp out the people of the Way of Christ would be the last person to invent such an incredible “transition” in the movement of the Gospel, from Jew to Gentile.
Vs 5 This purpose of God “in these last days” was not openly declared in the Old Testament, but it was by no means hidden totally from view.
In Rom. 9:23-26, he quotes Hosea 2:23 & 1:10 as testimony to the ingathering of Gentiles into the Family of the “vessels of mercy.” (Rom 9:23)
In Acts 26:19-23, in his defense before Agrippa, Paul claims that he has said “nothing other than that which the prophets and Moses said should come.” And then states that the Risen Christ would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles. (See Isa 42:5-10; 49:5-6; 60:1-3 / Matt. 4:12-16; Luke 2:25-33; Acts 13:46-48)
Vs 6 And here, Paul states plainly the mystery simply and concisely: That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body (not two separate bodies or families), and partakers of HIS PROMISE IN CHRIST in the Gospel.”
This Promise is the Holy Spirit!!! John 14:15-18/Acts 10:44-48 + Acts 11:15-18
Vs 7 Paul doesn’t mention, nor does he look to, his years at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) as even a help in this understanding of and ministry of this mystery. Only the Gift of Grace and the effective Indwelling Power could prepare him and sustain him in this ministry. It is no different for we peons who seek to declare the plain and simple Word of God in this day. All the training and education in this world are useless apart from this Gift of Grace and Indwelling Power of the Holy Spirit!
Ephesians 3:8-13 The mysterious display of the manifold wisdom of God.
Vs 8 Only grace alone could turn the arch enemy of the Gospel Mystery into the chosen preacher of the unsearchable Riches of Christ to the Gentiles.
“Unsearchable” #421–untraceable–“the stress is on the fact that God’s Ways are not ways that leave a trace behind. They are unique for each situation.” NSDOBW
Perhaps this means that we should spend less time trying to figure how and when God is going to “supply all of our needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19) and instead “wait in worship” because He has promised and His Word is enough, and we won’t figure it out anyway.
Vs 9 Paul’s calling was to make all see, to make clear, what is the “fellowship” (#2842 Koinonia–participation, a having in common) of this mystery. All the adopted children, no matter what nationalitty, are joint heirs and a joint body, and joint partakers (Berry’s Interlinear) of God’s Promise in Christ Jesus.
This Mystery has been hidden in God Who Created all things through Christ Jesus. (See Heb. 1:1-2) This is crucial because Christ, the Creator, has come, according to this Mystery, to be the Restorer of all things. (See the parallel passage–Col. 1:24-29 where Paul says, “what are the riches of the Glory of this mystery among the Gentiles:” which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory.” And his purpose is to present every adopted child perfectly restored in Christ.”)
Vs 10 And here is the reason for God working through this Mystery!!! That He might display the MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.
“Manifold” #4164 poikilos–which denotes “particolored, variegated, hence diverse.” NSDOBW In other words, God chose through this mystery to reveal the many facets of the diamond of His wisdom through this ingathering of His adopted children into the body of Christ by the preaching of this incredible Gospel of His Beloved Son, and that to an innumerable host of angels of which we are well nigh totally ignorant!!! I Pet. 1:12; Luke 2:8-15
Note: This truth was illustrated by the two cherubim above the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. Ex 25:22, Num 7:89, I Sam 4:4, II Sam 6:2, II Kings 19:15, Ps 80:1, Ps 99:1, Isa 37:16
Vs 11 This is God’s Eternal Purpose as laid out in chapter 1, according to the revealed Will of the Father, and notice that Paul says it is already a done deal!! It has been accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. When Jesus said “It is finished” (Jn 19:30) It was finished. Jesus states this in His prayer to His Father in John 17:4 “I have finished the work which you have given me to do.”
Vs 12 Because our Jesus has finished the Father’s work given to Him, we have boldness, access, and confidence “through faith in Him.” This is Hebrews territory! Heb 4:14-16, 7:24-26, 10:19-25 (Note: Don’t forsake the assembling–the family reunions!)
A christianity that is Christ-less is devoid of confidence. Christ Jesus is our all in all.
Vs 13 All of this was to show that Paul considered his sufferings, his abuse at the hands of both Jews and Gentiles as nothing compared to the unveiling of this Glorious Gospel to the Gentiles. This being bound as the Prisoner of Christ compelled him to Rome and his eventual martyrdom, and that was nothing compared to the glory that was revealed in him and through him.
Beloved, this is our Eternal Purpose, to be, in Christ Jesus, the display of the many faceted diamond of God’s Wisdom on display for the awe and understanding of the principalities and powers in heavenly places!!!
Ephesians 3:1-13
Remember: In Eph 2:11-22, Paul has laid out God’s plan for His “international family”.
This is not an issue of God “changing His Mind” about saving all of Israel. Paul addresses that in Romans 9-11. It has always been a remnant as in Rom. 9:6b-8:
“For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “in Isaac your seed shall be called.” (See also Gal. 3:7) That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” He quotes Isa 10:22-23 as evidence of this truth from the lips of the prophet.
What Paul has addressed is the Lord’s eternal plan to “expand the field” from which He harvests the remnant of adopted children for His Family. See also Rom. 4:16
Ephesians 3:1-7 The Mystery of Christ.
Vs 1 Paul seems to be headed in the direction of Vs 14–Prayer for that which is essential for the family to “grow into a holy temple in the Lord, a dwelling place of God in the Spirit”. But something more seems essential to him–expressing the validity of his previous words. (2:11-22)
Vs 1b He is the prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles. Acts 9:1-18 Paul’s arrest and commission. esp. vs 15&16
Vs 2 This is Paul’s “dispensation”= #3622 “Primarily signifies the management of a household or of household affairs, a stewardship.” New Strongs DOBW. Paul’s Divinely Appointed job was to manage the beginning affairs of this bringing Gentiles into the Family of the Father.”
Vs 3 This “in-gathering” is a mystery, the mystery of Christ, which he was taught by God by special revelation. See Acts 22:17- 21; 26:14-18 (He has already explained the “process of the mystery” in 2:11-22–in a few words.)
Vs 4 Paul is careful that his readers understand that his understanding of this understanding (yes I intended to multiply "understanding") isn’t his own “flight of fancy”. After all, Paul, the Jewish terrorist who tried to stamp out the people of the Way of Christ would be the last person to invent such an incredible “transition” in the movement of the Gospel, from Jew to Gentile.
Vs 5 This purpose of God “in these last days” was not openly declared in the Old Testament, but it was by no means hidden totally from view.
In Rom. 9:23-26, he quotes Hosea 2:23 & 1:10 as testimony to the ingathering of Gentiles into the Family of the “vessels of mercy.” (Rom 9:23)
In Acts 26:19-23, in his defense before Agrippa, Paul claims that he has said “nothing other than that which the prophets and Moses said should come.” And then states that the Risen Christ would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles. (See Isa 42:5-10; 49:5-6; 60:1-3 / Matt. 4:12-16; Luke 2:25-33; Acts 13:46-48)
Vs 6 And here, Paul states plainly the mystery simply and concisely: That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body (not two separate bodies or families), and partakers of HIS PROMISE IN CHRIST in the Gospel.”
This Promise is the Holy Spirit!!! John 14:15-18/Acts 10:44-48 + Acts 11:15-18
Vs 7 Paul doesn’t mention, nor does he look to, his years at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) as even a help in this understanding of and ministry of this mystery. Only the Gift of Grace and the effective Indwelling Power could prepare him and sustain him in this ministry. It is no different for we peons who seek to declare the plain and simple Word of God in this day. All the training and education in this world are useless apart from this Gift of Grace and Indwelling Power of the Holy Spirit!
Ephesians 3:8-13 The mysterious display of the manifold wisdom of God.
Vs 8 Only grace alone could turn the arch enemy of the Gospel Mystery into the chosen preacher of the unsearchable Riches of Christ to the Gentiles.
“Unsearchable” #421–untraceable–“the stress is on the fact that God’s Ways are not ways that leave a trace behind. They are unique for each situation.” NSDOBW
Perhaps this means that we should spend less time trying to figure how and when God is going to “supply all of our needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19) and instead “wait in worship” because He has promised and His Word is enough, and we won’t figure it out anyway.
Vs 9 Paul’s calling was to make all see, to make clear, what is the “fellowship” (#2842 Koinonia–participation, a having in common) of this mystery. All the adopted children, no matter what nationalitty, are joint heirs and a joint body, and joint partakers (Berry’s Interlinear) of God’s Promise in Christ Jesus.
This Mystery has been hidden in God Who Created all things through Christ Jesus. (See Heb. 1:1-2) This is crucial because Christ, the Creator, has come, according to this Mystery, to be the Restorer of all things. (See the parallel passage–Col. 1:24-29 where Paul says, “what are the riches of the Glory of this mystery among the Gentiles:” which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory.” And his purpose is to present every adopted child perfectly restored in Christ.”)
Vs 10 And here is the reason for God working through this Mystery!!! That He might display the MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.
“Manifold” #4164 poikilos–which denotes “particolored, variegated, hence diverse.” NSDOBW In other words, God chose through this mystery to reveal the many facets of the diamond of His wisdom through this ingathering of His adopted children into the body of Christ by the preaching of this incredible Gospel of His Beloved Son, and that to an innumerable host of angels of which we are well nigh totally ignorant!!! I Pet. 1:12; Luke 2:8-15
Note: This truth was illustrated by the two cherubim above the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. Ex 25:22, Num 7:89, I Sam 4:4, II Sam 6:2, II Kings 19:15, Ps 80:1, Ps 99:1, Isa 37:16
Vs 11 This is God’s Eternal Purpose as laid out in chapter 1, according to the revealed Will of the Father, and notice that Paul says it is already a done deal!! It has been accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. When Jesus said “It is finished” (Jn 19:30) It was finished. Jesus states this in His prayer to His Father in John 17:4 “I have finished the work which you have given me to do.”
Vs 12 Because our Jesus has finished the Father’s work given to Him, we have boldness, access, and confidence “through faith in Him.” This is Hebrews territory! Heb 4:14-16, 7:24-26, 10:19-25 (Note: Don’t forsake the assembling–the family reunions!)
A christianity that is Christ-less is devoid of confidence. Christ Jesus is our all in all.
Vs 13 All of this was to show that Paul considered his sufferings, his abuse at the hands of both Jews and Gentiles as nothing compared to the unveiling of this Glorious Gospel to the Gentiles. This being bound as the Prisoner of Christ compelled him to Rome and his eventual martyrdom, and that was nothing compared to the glory that was revealed in him and through him.
Beloved, this is our Eternal Purpose, to be, in Christ Jesus, the display of the many faceted diamond of God’s Wisdom on display for the awe and understanding of the principalities and powers in heavenly places!!!