Week Five
Ephesians 3:1-13
The Mystery Revealed
Establishing Your Bearing
Paul is pushing ahead in his letter to the Ephesian church. He’s established everything God has done for them through Christ, and he has shown what God continues to do among His church. But there is still a question to answer, a mystery to reveal.
And Paul will unconver for us what seems to be hidden, for certain. In fact, he very clearly outlines for us the details of God’s plan. But there is something equally interesting in these verses that willl help set up his explanation. There is another question that will shed light on Paul’s greater purpose through this letter.
Who does Paul claim to be? What gives him the credibility to speak with authority concerning the will of God?
Setting Your Course
A Prisoner of Jesus Christ
Ephesians 3:1
Ephesians 3:1 (NASB)
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
We understand that Paul is writing this letter from prison in Rome. That is not what he claims here, though. By his estimation, Paul is “the prisoner of Jesus Christ,” not Rome. Even in prison, Paul experiences the freedom that he has come to know through Jesus Christ – through everything he has stated in this letter up to this point.
Don’t lose the reason for his prisoner status, though. He is not merely choosing a path like so many others who express allegiance to some idol or lifestyle or religious system. He commits himself to Jesus Christ “for the sake of you Gentiles.” He is in prison, he is writing this letter, he is reminding the Ephesians of everything they have and are in Christ for their sake. He is constrained for their edification.
Paul is the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of the Ephesians
An Apostle and a Prophet
Ephesians 3:2-6
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, 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,
Paul clearly states in verse three that God has revealed the mystery to him. In verse four, he tells the Ephesians that he has “insight into the mystery of Christ.” When he gets to verse five, he aligns himself with a larger group that understands God’s purpose for His church – “His apostles and prophets.”
An apostle is one who is sent by God. A prophet speaks the words of God. Paul aligns himself with these two offices in the early church, specifically for understanding and instructing on the mystery of Christ.
Paul is an apostle and a prophet of the mystery of Christ.
A Minister
Ephesians 3:7–12
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; 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.
Paul’s next two descriptions he gives himself intertwine with each other through these verses. First, here in verse seven he claims the title of “minister.” A minister here is one who serves. Paul provides a picture of this service in his work, beginning with his calling by “the gift of God’s grace.” Paul attributes his ministry to God, not anything he devised or desired. It is completely because of God.
Paul also identifies the two significant activities in which he is. Involved as a minister – preaching to the Gentiles (v. 8) and managing the use of this mystery of God (v. 9). He was not tasked with only speaking about Christ, but also with helping others live their new life in Christ within their church and community. He had done this during his 2 years with the Ephesians, and he apparently continued to act as a minister even from prison.
Paul identifies as a minister in the church.
Less than the Least of all Saints
In the same part of this passage in which Paul describes himself as a a minister, he also assigns to himself a very unique qualification – “less than the least of all saints” (v. 8, KJV). This is not false humility. This is a fair assessment by a man who has spent a good part of his adult life sharing the gospel across the Roman Empire. The more that Paul learned about Christ and God’s work on our behalf, the more he realized how little he deserved everything he experienced from God.
Despite apostleship, Paul maintained a humble understanding of his place in Christ.
Tribulations
Ephesians 3:13
13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.
Paul does not choose a title or position for himself as he finishes this section. Rather he brings everything full circle, reminding the Ephesians of the tribulations that he is facing. Despite being “the prisoner of Christ Jesus,” Paul is also in actual prison. Notice, however, his encouragement even in this, “on your behalf, for they are your glory.” There are no wasted opportunities with God, and even Paul’s imprisonment is intended to encourage His church.
Paul closes with encouragement despite his tribulations.
Refreshing Your Bearing
As further encouragement to the Ephesians, Paul reminds them that everything he does and experiences is for their benefit. We see Paul as prisoner, apostle, prophet, minister, and humble believer. He also expresses his attitude that his tribulations are for their benefit. Regardless of his experiences and circumstances, Paul emphasizes his calling to serve and edify the Ephesians, reminding us that our highest calling in God is to serve others by revealing Christ wherever he places us.
Continuing Your Journey
Week Six
Paul’s Prayer for the Church
Read: Ephesians 3:14-21
Read. Meditate. Pray.