CONTEXT: In chapter 2, Paul talked about the Gentile Christians in Ephesus. They had been "dead in transgressions and sins," (2:1), but God in his mercy "made (them) alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (2:5-6). The salvation accorded these Gentiles, then, was "the gift of God, not of works" (2:8-9).
In times past, there had been a deep division between Jew and Gentile-between the circumcised and the uncircumcised. Gentiles had been "alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (2:12).
But Jesus broke down the dividing wall that separated Jews and Gentiles. He made the two one, "making peace" (2:15). The result was that these Gentiles were "no longer strangers and foreigners, but... fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (2:19).
EPHESIANS 3:1-4. ON BEHALF OF YOU GENTILES
2 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles- 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
"For this cause (toutou charin) I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles" (v. 1). The words toutou charin mean, "because of this" or "for this cause" or "for this reason" or "wherefore." They tie this chapter to what Paul said in chapter 2 about Gentile Christians. Because God brought Gentiles into the kingdom, Paul became a prisoner on their behalf.
That requires some explanation. After Paul's vision on the road to Damascus (Acts 9; 22:1-16), Christ appointed Paul as his "chosen vessel to bear (his) name before the nations" (ethnos-nations or Gentiles) (Acts 9:15). God "called (Paul) through his grace, to reveal his Son in (him), that (he) might preach (Christ) among the Gentiles" (Galatians 1:15-16). Paul became "a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:16). In other words, God assigned Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles, and that became the mission that consumed the rest of Paul's life.
"if it is so that you have heard of the administration (oikonomia-administration or stewardship) of that grace of God which was given me toward you" (v. 2). Apparently, a number of the Gentiles in the Ephesian church know Paul only by reputation rather than having known him personally. The Greek word oikonomia (administration or stewardship) combines two words, oikos (house) and nomos (parcel out-law). It meant the manager of a household. Paul uses oikonomia here to mean the management or stewardship of God's grace. God gave Paul the responsibility for conveying grace to the Gentiles. Paul has been faithful to his calling, which is how these Gentiles happen to know about Christ. It is because of Paul's stewardship that they have been recipients of God's grace.
"how that by revelation (apokalypsis) the mystery (mysterion) was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words" (v. 3). The sort of mystery (mysterion) that Paul is talking about here is something sacred that can be known only by revelation. We cannot ferret out an understanding of the mystery by use of reason or intuition. We can understand only when/if God chooses to open the door to our understanding. We can understand only if God makes known what otherwise would remain hidden. The word revelation (apokalypsis) is interesting. An apokalypsis is a revelation or a disclosing or an unveiling-plus the ability to interpret or to understand what is seen. Apokalypsis is sometimes used for the turning on of a light, as in Luke 2:32, which speaks of "a light for revelation (apokalypsis) to the nations" (ethnos-nations or Gentiles).
That verse from Luke is on-point here, because the word that is translated nations is ethnos, which also means Gentiles. The mystery that God revealed to Paul was that God has given Gentiles equal access to the kingdom of God. They no longer must submit to Jewish law (such as circumcision) to be eligible for God's grace. They are no longer second-class citizens.
"by which, when you read" (v. 4a). This probably refers to a public reading in the church of Paul's letter. Any copying of his letter would have to be done by hand, and would be slow and expensive. Most people couldn't read anyway. Widespread Bible reading would have to await the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century.
"you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ" (v. 4b). Paul didn't come to his understanding of the mystery of Christ by his own initiative. In his letter to the Galatian church, he says: "For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.... It was the good pleasure of God...to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles" (Galatians 1:12, 15-16).
EPHESIANS 3:5-6. FELLOW HEIRS AND FELLOW MEMBERS
5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
"which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit" (v. 5). That which had not been known in earlier generations was that Christ would bring Gentiles into God's family (see v. 6).
That, however, has now been revealed to Christ's "holy (hagios) apostles and prophets in the Spirit."The Greek word hagios means holy or set apart for God. The tabernacle and temple were holy, because they were set apart as the dwelling places of God. Sacrificial animals were holy, because they were set apart for a Godly purpose. God has set these apostles and prophets apart for Godly work-bringing Gentiles into God's family-God's household.
Some scholars have suggested that the word holy modifies only apostles and not prophets. In other words, it is "holy apostles" and "prophets" (not "holy prophets"). That idea gains support elsewhere when Paul prioritizes various callings: "First apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages" (1 Corinthians 12:28).
It is "the Spirit" who has revealed the mystery to the apostles and prophets-who have, in turn, make known to the church what the Spirit has revealed to them.
"that the Gentiles are fellow heirs" (synkleronoma) (v. 6a). Synkleronoma combines two Greek words-syn (with) and kleronomos (an heir). The Gentiles are joint-heirs with the Jews. Gentiles haven't displaced Jews, but have been invited to sit at God's table and to share on an equal basis.
An heir is a person who has the legal right to an inheritance. Jewish law regulated inheritances, giving two shares to the firstborn son and one share each to the other sons (Deuteronomy 21:17).
God's first family was the nation of Israel (Romans 9:4-5). God said, "Israel is my son, my firstborn" (Exodus 4:22). Paul says that we have become "joint heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:14-17)-the result of God adopting us into his family (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:15, 23; Galatians 3:16; 4:4-6; Ephesians 1:5; Revelation 21:7).
"and fellow members of the body" (sussomos) (v. 6b). Sussomos combines syn (with) and soma (body)-one body. "And fellow members of the body" translates this one Greek word. In this context, the word body refers to the church, the body of which Christ is the head. Elsewhere, Paul says:
and fellow partakers (symmetochos) of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News" (v. 6c). Symmetochos combines syn (with) and metochos (partaker). The image that comes to my mind is that of people sitting together at a table-food served family style from large bowls-each person taking what he/she needs. Note that all three of these words, synkleronoma (fellow heirs), sussomos (fellow members), and symmetochos (fellow partakers) start with the word syn (with). Syn suggests a close bond, and that is certainly implied in each of the three syn words. Also note the way the original recipients of this letter would have heard this verse:
There is a graceful, poetic note to these similar-sounding words that is difficult to convey in a translation. "of his promise." In chapter 2, Paul reminded these Gentiles that they had been "strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world." But then he went on the say:
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition" (2:12-14).
In other words, the Gentiles, who had been ineligible to receive the promise, had by the grace of Christ become eligible.
EPHESIANS 3:7-9. GRACE TO PREACH TO THE GENTILES
7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;
"of which I was made a servant" (diakanos) (v. 7a). Diakonos (servant) is the Greek word from which we get our word "deacon." The way that diakonos is used in the New Testament makes it clear that the diaconate is a humble position. Jesus said, "Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant" (diakonos) (Matthew 20:26; see also Matthew 23:11). Paul uses the word frequently to show that he is merely a servant of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:5, 9; 2 Corinthians 6:4; Ephesians 1:23; 6:21; Colossians 1:23, 25). He also calls Christ a diakonos (servant) (Romans 15:8)-and even a doulos-a slave (Philippians 2:7)-an even more humble status than diakonos).
"according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power" (v. 7b). Paul's (Saul's) call to ministry was totally unexpected (Acts 9). Saul was "breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord," when he saw a bright light in the sky and a heard Jesus' voice calling, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Blinded by the light, he was led into Damascus, where Christ called Ananias to care for Saul. Ananias protested that Saul was persecuting Christians, but Jesus said, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15; see also Acts 26:16).
The point of this verse is that Paul's call was a Godly initiative, and Paul served by the grace given by God and by the Godly power imparted to him. He had a vital ministry, but he couldn't claim that it was by dint of his intellect or wisdom or religious fervor or anything else that he could have brought to the table. It was all by the grace of God.
Paul was faithful to his call. Later, reporting on his call, he said, "By the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was bestowed on me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1 Corinthians 15:10).
"To me, the very least (elachistoteros) of all saints (hagios), was this grace given" (v. 8a). See the comments above on verse 5 for the meaning of hagios (saints).
But instead of claiming superiority, Paul says that he is the elachistoteros (less than the least, far less)-an unusual word that emphasizes Paul's inferior status. He doesn't claim to be the very least among the apostles (a select group), but among the saints (all believers).
Church leaders of all stripes can bless the church by adopting this "least, very least" attitude. The higher up the church ladder, the more important the dose of humility! Pastors of churches-especially pastors of large churches-will bless their congregations by being honestly humble. Bishops and other denominational officials need to work even harder not to get the "big head." The same is true of seminary professors-and others who have a wide impact, such as popular authors or musicians.
The same is true for the leadership of local churches. Marginal people often seek church offices to gain the kind of prominence that they have been denied elsewhere. Their self-serving leadership can be devastating.
"to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" (v. 8b). Paul outlined the nature of these "unspeakable riches" in the introduction to this letter. Christ "has blessed us with every spiritual blessing"-to include becoming "holy and without blemish"-and being adopted as God's children-and receiving "the glory of his grace" and forgiveness of sins-and being privy to "the mystery of his will"-and gaining an inheritance and the Good News of salvation (1:3-14).
The fruits of the Spirit come to mind: "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Wouldn't we consider the person who possesses those fruits to be blessed with "the unsearchable riches of Christ"!
Paul is aware of these riches-these blessings-and has been faithful to his calling to "preach to the Gentiles," letting them know "the unspeakable riches of Christ" that are available to them as believers.
"and to make all men see what is the administration (oikonomia) of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God" (v. 9a). For the meaning of oikonomia, see the comments on verse 2 above.
Paul has been tasked, not only to preach (directed to the ears), but also to "make all men see" (directed to the eyes). Of course, Paul is speaking metaphorically here, using word-pictures to help us understand. Just think of the ways that the church uses the five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste) to proclaim Christ. The following is just a short list:
The point of this verse is that "the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God" is no longer a mystery, because Christ has made God's will known.
"who created all things through Jesus Christ" (v. 9b). Jesus Christ is no Johnny-come-lately. While he became visible to us when he was born, he was present with the Father from the beginning-from before the beginning. He participated in the creation. John says:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made" (John 1:1-3).
EPHESIANS 3:10-12. ACCORDING TO THE ETERNAL PURPOSE
10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
"to the intent that now through the assembly (ekklesia-church) the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities (arche-rulers) and the powers (exousiais-authorities) in the heavenly places" (epouranios) (v. 10). Paul tends to write long sentences that require the reader to stay alert and remember what Paul has been saying-and how the present verse connects to that which went before. Paul has been talking about his call "to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" (v. 8)-and to help people see what God had hidden for so long (v. 9).
"to the intent that." These words signal that Paul is getting ready to state the purpose of his apostolic ministry.
"now through the assembly" (ekklesia-church). Don't miss the word "now." Until Christ's death and resurrection, God's plan was a mystery-hidden (v. 9). But now God has revealed what had been hidden-and has called Paul "to preach to the Gentiles" (v. 8), so that "through the ekklesia" (the church), God's wisdom might be revealed.
"the manifold (polypoikilos) wisdom (sophia) of God." The word polypoikilos means very many-or highly diverse-or multifaceted.
Just think for a moment about the wide reach of God's wisdom. God knows the universe from the tiny particles that make up an atom to the huge galaxies that extend almost beyond our imagining.
God knows us-knows us as our creator-knows our ins and outs and our ups and downs. The Psalmist says, "My frame wasn't hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth." He goes on to say, "How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum! If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand" (Psalm 139:15, 17-18).
God made a great deal of wisdom available to Israel through the law and prophets. Proverbs 10-22 in particular contains a multitude of short, pithy wisdom sayings.
In his teachings, Jesus added to our wisdom (see Matthew chapters 5-7, 10, 13, 18, 24-25). Paul and the other New Testament writers further expanded our wisdom.
But God's ultimate expression of wisdom was the gift of his Son to die on a cross-and to break the bonds of death through his resurrection. This appeared as "a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:23-24).
If you are tempted to wonder whether the wisdom of God is really wise, consider how different our world would be if everyone would adopt "love God and neighbor" as their guiding principle (Mk. 12:30-31).
Or consider how different it would be if everyone sought to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit-"love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). What we see instead is a world that embraces the fruits of the flesh--"adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these" (Galatians 5:19-21). The result has misery beyond measure.
"to the principalities (arche-rulers) and the powers (exousiais-authorities) in the heavenly places." This combination of principalities (arche) and powers (exousiais)-often translated rulers and authorities-is usually used in a negative way in the New Testament.
When Paul speaks here of "the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places," he means the angelic host, both good and bad. Angels are God's messengers (Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 1:1). They are part of the created order-not the creator (Colossians 1:16). They are subject to judgment for wrongdoing (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6). Paul says that humans will judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). Angels deserve respect (1 Corinthians 11:10; 1 Timothy 5:21; Hebrews 2:7, 9)-but Christ is far superior to angels (Hebrews 1:4-6, 13; 1 Peter 3:22).
"according to the eternal (aion) purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (v. 11). What God planned from the time before time existed-his eternal purpose-has come into fruition through Jesus Christ-his cross, resurrection, and ascension.
"in whom we have boldness (parresia) and access in confidence through our faith in him" (v. 12). Paul has already stated that, through Jesus, we have access to the Father (2:18). Now he adds that we can go to the Father with boldness (parresia) and confidence (pepoithesis).
In the tabernacle and temple, the inner sanctum was the Holy of Holies, where God's seat was perched atop the Ark of the Covenant. In other words, the Holy of Holies was the dwelling place of God. Ordinary mortals were not allowed access to the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest was permitted entrance, and he
only once a year on the Day of Atonement. But when Jesus died on the cross, "the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom" (Mark 15:38)-signifying that Jesus' death has ripped open the barrier between God and humans-breaking down the dividing wall (Ephesians 2:14)-granting free access.
The Greek word parresia (boldness) has to do with freedom to speak openly and frankly. In our prayers, we have no reason to fear that we might say the wrong thing-or express ourselves badly-or violate some sort of heavenly norm. God has granted us freedom, not only to come into his throne room, but also to speak freely.
The word pepoithesis (confidence) tells us that we can trust God-can be confident that God will treat us as beloved children, even when we are guilty of doing what God would not approve.
A verse by verse study of Ephesians 3:1-13, about the mystery revealed in the gospel of Christ.
Paul is given a revelation which he shares with the Ephesians, so that they may have the same enlightenment that was granted him.
Ephesians 3, Verses 1-4
¶"1I Paul am the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles. 2You heard about the stewardship of God's grace given to me for you, 3and how by revelation the mystery was made known to me. I have already written to you briefly about this. 4By reading my letters you will understand the mystery of Christ as I do" (Ephesians 3:1-4).
Paul is a Genuine Messenger of Christ
Paul spent a lot of time in prisons because of his activities as a Christian preacher. So he calls himself "the prisoner of Christ". His willingness to suffer deprivations shows the genuineness of his heart. But his message is also genuine -having been given him as a revelation from God.
Paul, several times in his writings, mentions that he had no input into his message: God put it into him! It had been a mystery to Paul, but God graciously gave Paul complete understanding by revelation.
For example Paul says to the Galatians, ¶"Brethren, I make known to you that the gospel I preached is not according to man. I did not receive it from man. I was not taught it by man. I received it by revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11-12). Incidentally, Paul uses the word "man" here to denote mere humans as opposed to the divine Son of God.
How the World is Able to Understand
God did not give revelation to everyone, only to a few like Paul. The mystery was "revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets" (Ephesians 3:5). Everyone else can understand the mystery by hearing those who were given revelation.
Paul says, "By revelation the mystery was made known to me... By reading my letters you will understand the mystery of Christ as I do" (Ephesians 3:3-4). Many people today love to say, "God spoke to me and he told me..." It isn't popular any more to say, "The scriptures tell us..."
Paul claims that the gospel he preaches makes known the mystery as never before. His gospel embraces the heathen nations and offers them full unity and fellowship with God's holy people.
Ephesians 3, Verses 5-7
¶"5This mystery was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6The Gentile nations are now heirs jointly with Israel; members together of a united body; and sharers together of God's promise in Christ Jesus. All this comes through the gospel. 7I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace. That grace was given me through God's power at work" (Ephesians 3:5-7).
The Mystery of Unity
The Gentiles, as Paul has already said, "were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise... Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:12,19 NKJV).
In Paul's understanding this was the great eye-opener. What Christ did favoured Jews and Gentiles equally and "made both one, and broke down the barrier between"(Ephesians 2:14).
So now Paul mentions three marvels. Gentiles are "heirs jointly with Israel; members together of a united body; and sharers together of God's promise in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 3:6).
Paul is conscious of the burden laid on him to get the gospel out among the nations
Ephesians 3, Verses 8-9
¶"8I am less than the least of all God's holy people, yet I was given this grace. It's my task to preach to the Gentile nations the boundless riches of Christ. 9I must enlighten everyone about sharing in the mystery. It was kept hidden from the world -hidden in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3:8-9).
Paul's Humility
Paul was given the task of taking the gospel to the wider world. He was at the forefront of this campaign. Paul is amazed at God's grace in choosing him, of all people, for this work.
When Paul calls himself "less than the least" he isn't referring to his ability or his desire for the work. He is referring to his worthiness to be chosen. He had been a chief activist in the persecution of the Christian Way. Christ stopped Paul dead in his tracks. Christ appointed him to the opposite task, to be a chief activist in spreading Christ's message to all nations. Paul marvelled at this grace.
Paul's Commitment
Paul could see the terrible darkness in the world. Humanity stumbled in ignorance, spiritually destitute. Paul had been given a great light and "boundless riches" to share. He was totally dedicated to that end.
Paul's Power
Paul was granted the power to achieve his commission. It was not himself that accomplished it, but God
working in him and giving him the revelation, the answer to the mystery, the answer the whole world needed. It was now in Paul's power to help everyone share in the mystery of Christ.
Paul was always conscious that he was carrying out God's Plan. God purposed to make his wisdom known. And of course God's wisdom would be a mystery unless he made it known.
Ephesians 3, Verses 10-13
¶"10God intended that now all the many sides of his wisdom should be made known. This mystery is made known to the rulers and authorities in the highest realms. It is made known through the people God has called out. 11This fits God's purpose for the world, accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12We may boldly come to God in Christ. We are confident in his faith. 13So I ask you not to get discouraged because of the distress I endure for you. My trials are your glory" (Ephesians 3:10-14-3).
Wisdom, Purpose, Confidence
God's "wisdom" was glimpsed by the prophets of old. But now through Jesus Christ the veil of mystery is removed and the good message is revealed. The wisdom of God for salvation is fully known!
God's "purpose" is achieved through Jesus Christ. Without him, there would not even have been any mystery in which to find hope. However Jesus tasks all those he calls into his one body of holy people. He gives them all the great commission, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them... teaching them..." (Matthew 28:18-20).
Our "confidence" is in Christ, not in ourselves. We come boldly to God "in Christ" We are confident "in his faith". It is now an open secret that life is not about believing in yourself. It's about believing in Jesus Christ.
