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Ephesians Chapter Three
Commentary by Ron Beckham
Verse 1. “For this reason I, Paul,
the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles —
“
At the time the
words of this verse were written, Paul was, from a human
perspective, a prisoner of the Roman Empire. He refers to
his imprisonment in this letter (Ephesians 3:1, 4:1 and
6:20), including a statement in 6:20 that he was literally “in
chains” at the moment. References to this term in
prison also occurred in his letters to the Philippians,
Colossians and to Philemon, and probably all those letters
were written within days of each other.
But Paul had
better vision, a higher perspective than most will ever
begin to understand. Paul knew the “mystery
of Christ” (verse 4), revealed to him “in
the Spirit” (verse 5). He KNEW that ALL on earth
(not JUST the Jews) are being offered salvation in Christ
Jesus. Yes, he was a “prisoner,”
and his Roman guards no doubt thought he was THEIR prisoner,
but it was not so. He went to prison for Christ, for the
Ephesians, for you and me, that we might read these words
and come to the Lord!
Verse 2. “if indeed you have heard
of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for
you;”
The phrase, “if
indeed you have heard,” is a gentle reminder to his
readers. He had told the Ephesians of “God’s
grace” (undeserved favor with God) while he was with
them at Ephesus, and others had told them also. They had
heard the words, but were they LISTENING? Here he was,
tenderly reminding them of what they already knew; that
God’s grace had been given to Paul for a purpose outside of
himself – it was for THEM (and for all who would
subsequently read these words.)
“Stewardship”
can also be “dispensation,” a time, a period of amazing
grace in the history of mankind, when God’s love has been
poured out upon us in Christ Jesus. And Paul knew that he
was God’s man to be a key part in this. He also knew it
wasn’t because he was such a wonderful guy. It was because
he had become willing to help those who, like you and me,
have sinned in the sight of God. Yes, we are sinners, but
God has given us His “grace”
– and Paul was carefully chosen to be a “steward” of that
grace.
Verse 3. “that by revelation there
was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in
brief.”
As we shall see in
the next verses, specifically in verse 6, the “mystery”
in this context is not precisely the gospel (good news)
itself, but the reference is instead its destination – to
the Gentiles (non-Jews). “Mystery”
in the Greek language didn’t refer to something that could
not be understood, but instead, it is like the wrapping
around a present. The mystery of what’s inside the present
will be revealed as soon as the wrapping paper is removed.
God wants to show
His people – everything! and His intention is glimpsed
within the “gifts of the Spirit” dramatically seen on the
Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and mentioned in various places
within Paul’s letters. A certain understanding or ability
is given to you and further gifts are given to others, to
the end that all might see that we NEED God and His Word,
and also that we need one another.
Verse 4. “By referring to this,
when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery
of Christ,”
The knowledge and
understanding that was given to Paul is incredible. One
minute he was storming along the Damascus Road, intending to
harm God’s little ones and the next he was literally struck
down by the love of God in Christ Jesus (Acts 9). You would
think that God would place him on some kind of probation to
see what he would do, but Paul “immediately…
preached Christ” (Acts
9:20).
Suddenly he had “insight
into the mystery of Christ” (this verse) and he right
away “confounded the Jews…
proving that this Jesus is the
Christ” (Acts 9:22). We need to read Paul’s words,
for he indeed had “insight”
into what we all must know. And while you read – pray! The
Holy Spirit of God who gave Paul understanding, will do the
same for you.
Verse 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;”
The Bible is FULL
of the words and acts of God’s apostles (His sent ones) and
His prophets. We NEED to read the words they wrote and the
words that were written about them. God changed their lives
and He intends to change us through them. All of what
happened to them was unprecedented and unexpected, not only
by them, but also by everybody else. God entered history
through ordinary men and women like you and me!
There is much that
is hidden about God, but the greatest reason for humanity’s
lack of understanding is that they don’t WANT to know. It’s
a voluntary act called “unbelief,” in which we choose to not
know that which has been clearly shown to us in God’s Word.
God has REVEALED what we need to know, “through
His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit,” for
this life and for all eternity.
Verse 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,
God’s promises and
His Law were given to the people of Israel, the Jews. What
was not understood by the Jews or anybody else was that the
promise was given to the WORLD THROUGH THEM. When God spoke
to Abraham, Moses, David and the rest, He was always
patiently addressing us all. It was AMAZING to those who
first heard Paul’s words and it should be a DELIGHT to us
now that God extends His promise of salvation in the Jewish
Messiah, Christ Jesus, to ALL who are willing to believe.
Are you a Jew? A
Gentile (non-Jew)? The promise of salvation and eternal life
given through the life, death and resurrection of Christ
Jesus is – yours! This was unprecedented information at the
time it was first given, and it is surprising to most of the
world at the present time. The “gospel”
(good news) is this: you merely have to BELIEVE in Him and
what HE has done to be made right with the Father! That
indeed IS good news and it is given – to you!
Verse 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.”
When we are
“saved” (“born-again,” John
3:7) by the power and love of God, it is because of His “grace,”
the UN-merited favor of God. We sometimes forget that EVERY
good and perfect thing in our lives is because of God’s
grace. Our very LIFE is His gift, loaned to us for a time
and then the offer will be extended throughout all eternity
- if we accept the offer of His Son.
Ministry takes
energy, by the way. It requires thought, planning and
especially prayer, in order to do the work of God in the
lives of men. It’s easy, during pressure-filled times, to
forget that we really “minister”
NOT in our own strength, but by the grace of God and in “His
power.” To be able to speak or act for Him is His
incredible “gift,” wonderful
in all its ways. When you pray for someone, it is not a
burden, but instead, it is His “gift”
– to you!
Verse 8. “To me, the very least of
all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles
the unfathomable riches of Christ,
We see the Apostle
Paul as a great man of God, to be respected, admired and
emulated. But he recognized correctly that NONE of us
deserve God’s grace and NO ONE is qualified to preach or act
in the Name of the Lord. Many of his contemporaries had
doubts about this man who had formerly persecuted the Early
Christian Church. Using his Hebrew name, “Saul,”
he had “made havoc of the church”
(Acts 8:31 & context).
And yet, Paul was
changed and made God’s “apostle”
(sent-one), to the Gentiles (non-Jews) and was entrusted
with the creation, in and through the Holy Spirit of God, of
a great portion of what we call the New Testament. He SAW
that he did not deserve such an honor, and if you are called
to pray or otherwise do the work of God in this world,
remember that you and I, like everyone else, don’t deserve
such honors either. These are CHRIST’S “riches,”
shared with us – without Him we can do nothing.
Verse 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;”
God always
intended that His many blessings, freely offered in Christ
Jesus, would become open to the whole world. Paul was given
precisely that ministry, to “bring
to light” (reveal) that which was “hidden
in God” before. Individual men and women had
previously been given great gifts and understanding, but now
God showed His intention that ALL who are willing can
receive.
God had this in
mind from before the creation of the world. No one, not
even the angels were aware of God’s incredible intent in
relation to mankind. People everywhere have wanted to “see”
God, but His intention is to be “seen” in the GRACE that is
given to us, that ordinary people like Paul, along with you
and me are to be gifted to do the works of God in the lives
of men.
Verse 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.”
God’s “wisdom”
is infinitely higher than anything that might be devised or
thought about by human minds. If you think about it, those
who are brought to salvation in Christ Jesus and elected by
God to service in His Name, are typically not great or
amazing in any manner. We are just ordinary men and women –
it is GOD who does through us what we, by ourselves, are not
able to do.
Probably most of
the people in the world think disparagingly of the “church”
of our Lord, in one manner or another. Some have never even
heard of it. Others think it’s a “narrow religion,” failing
to understand that true Christianity is not a religion at
all. Still more have been “hurt” by some experience in a
church and won’t go back. But it is “through
the church” that God has chosen to manifest His “wisdom.”
It isn’t that you have to “trust” in the church or the
people in it. What you have to see is that you CAN find God
“THROUGH the church.”
Verse 11. “This was in accordance
with the eternal purpose which He carried out
in Christ Jesus our Lord,
God ALWAYS
intended to bring salvation in Christ Jesus to ALL
humanity. He has extended this amazing grace to each and
every one who is willing to trust in the Son of God. And,
as in verse 10, He always had in mind that mere PEOPLE would
promote His “eternal purpose.”
Do you believe? It is because He intended that you would
believe. Do you tell others the good news? It’s due to His
“eternal purpose” that you
are able to tell them.
The Holy Spirit of
God revealed much through the Apostle Paul, and He intends
that you will understand God has called YOU to this moment
for a purpose. Note this was not just some “afterthought.”
He meant you for His kingdom before the world began. You
have purpose - His purpose. You have worth and your life
MATTERS, when you trust in Him.
Verse 12. “in whom we have
boldness and confident access through faith in Him.”
The reason we
often have lacked boldness to speak of and for God, is
simply because we don’t understand the great, eternal
purpose in which we were called. He knew who you were
before you ever existed. He has SAVED us from sin and death
in Christ Jesus. He has filled those who have faith with
His Holy Spirit. We are given continual access to the King
of Glory.
Remember Adam, who
hid among the trees in Eden (Genesis 3:8). Think of Gideon,
hiding the wheat (and himself) in a winepress (Judges
6:11). Consider Peter who denied the Lord out of personal
fear (Matthew 26:69-70 & context). He used THEM – He will
use YOU, too. God is setting us FREE from fear in Christ
Jesus and has given us “boldness
and confident access” to the throne of God. We only
need to have FAITH in His Son. Are you grateful? He is
offering you confident access right now, waiting expectantly
for you to pray.
Verse 13. “Therefore I ask you not
to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they
are your glory.”
We tend to think
that because our circumstances are bad, we have somehow
displeased God. That’s not the case. Yes, our troubles CAN
be corrective in nature, but they can also be about other
people, just like it was for the Apostle Paul. Note 2
Corinthians 1:4 – God “comforts us
in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those
who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we
ourselves are comforted by God.” He may well be
shaping you to help OTHERS in the future, through the “tribulations”
of YOUR life right now.
The fact that Paul
was a convict, in chains, a prisoner of the Roman
authorities, was a concern for many, in and out of the
church. They had the same problem that many have – we tend
to look at outward circumstances and not understand that God
has much more in mind than just the obvious things of this
world. Yes, God allows our SITUATIONS to be difficult, but
it is always for a purpose and it is always based in His
love.
Verse 14. “For this reason I bow
my knees before the Father,”
As we should be,
Paul was awestruck by the glory, the infinite patience, the
love and amazing intentions of God the Father. What we call
“tribulations” (verse 13)
are tools in the hands of God to bring much good into the
world. The Apostle Paul’s circumstances were “bad” by
anyone’s analysis of them. He was in prison (verse 1). He
had a disturbing “thorn in the
flesh” and God said “No” to the alleviation of his
distress (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
His beloved
countrymen hated him and wanted to kill him (Acts 25:2-3 &
other places). And yet Paul, who had many reasons to
complain, said, “I bow my knees
before the Father.” Why? Because he had been given
EVERYTHING in Christ Jesus! His earthly situation was
difficult, but he was loved and blessed to the extent that
he fell on his face in love before the Lord. And note that
God’s blessings are offered to us all – to people like you
and me.
Verse 15. “from whom every family
in heaven and on earth derives its name,”
The “name”
of a person carries his or her IDENTITY. When we pray “in
Jesus’ Name,” we are praying in His power, on His behalf, in
His authority. Do you feel you lack power? Look to Christ,
for in Him you have great authority in His Name, because of
His grace, operative through your faith in the Lord. Let
yourself gradually become attuned to His will, and you will
discover that He HEARS you, and is providing the ANSWERS you
have sought all this time (1 John 5:14-15).
Where do OUR names
come from? The names of countries, states, cities and
individual people? They are from the Father. Where did you
get YOUR name? It was from God the Father. He carefully
selected your parents, nationality, relatives, the people
who have surrounded you, your weaknesses, strengths, even
your name. And He has a “new name”
in store for you, just as He has for all those who trust in
the Lord. This name “no one knows
except him who receives it” (Revelation 2:17). Our “new
name” is HIS name, given to those who believe. We
are His.
Verse 16. “that He would grant
you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strengthened with power through His
Spirit in the inner man,”
What are “riches?”
We know this: “Riches” are
worthless if they don’t last. One of the hardest things in
life is to have wealth, fame, power, a good marriage,
relative youth, etc., and then lose it all. Jesus taught us
that it’s pathetic to seek the “treasures”
of this world because we can’t keep them (Matthew 6:19). If
they don’t wear out, we will, and they’ll just go to
somebody else; maybe someone who doesn’t like us.
What is “power?”
The opinion of this world would indicate that “power”
is to rule a country, be famous, dominate a family, run a
corporation, or have a lot of money. But Paul tells us the
truth in this verse: It is to let Christ rule in you through
faith, and as in this verse, be filled with “His
Spirit” inside. Real “power”
is HIS “power” and it’s
yours – “through faith”
(verse 17) in the Lord and “through
His Spirit in the inner man.”
Verse 17. “so that Christ may
dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being
rooted and grounded in love,”
This verse is
about the One “called Wonderful,
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,”
by Isaiah the Prophet (Isaiah 9:6). He is Jesus the Christ,
who remarkably changed the Apostle Paul (the author of
Ephesians) into a man who knew the true “riches”
and “power” of God (verse
16) and shared the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ
with everyone he met.
This same Christ
that changed Paul will dwell in your heart also, when you
simply say “Yes” to His call and place your faith in Him.
The Lord makes us rich beyond our dreams to comprehend it,
and all we have to do is be willing to take Him at His
word. As in this verse, He will fill you with His amazing
love, and in verse 18, we’ll see that, through His love, He
will enable you to understand – everything.
Verse 18. “may be able to
comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and
length and height and depth,”
You become able to
“comprehend,” to understand
because of the power and love of God, when you place your
faith in Jesus Christ. What is the size of God’s promise
for you? How much does it weigh? How deep does it go? Can
it somehow be measured in height? Paul is expressing that
what you are given in Christ is INFINITE, with no end or
beginning; no limitations whatsoever.
I don’t know about
you, but I’ve always been CURIOUS. If I saw a clock as a
little boy, I wanted to take it apart, and did just that on
more than one occasion. God in Christ Jesus will SATISFY
you. You won’t have to wonder about anything because you
will have all you need, if not here and now, then certainly
in eternity. He who knows everything will share His wonders
with you.
Verse 19. “and to know the love of
Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up
to all the fullness of God.”
Greater than any “knowledge”
of this world is to “know the love
of Christ.” If you attempt to find and know God
through some king of human “knowledge”
or by a mental exercise such as “meditation,” you will
ultimately be disappointed, and worst of all, you may be
terribly deceived. But if you place your trust in Jesus
Christ, you will KNOW the “fullness
of God,” which is wonderful indeed and infinite in
scope.
“Filled
up” means that everything you are capable of knowing
will be given to you, and if you need to know even more,
your capacity will be enlarged until you are capable of
containing His “fullness.”
God intends to BLESS you, beyond any expectation or dream
you might have. And the “love of
Christ” He offers will satisfy you – forever.
Verse 20. “Now to Him who is able
to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works within us,”
What God in Christ
can do for you and me is beyond our ability to contemplate
or understand it. We have no words, thoughts or actions
that can even remotely express or contain the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus. The “power
that works within us” is the Holy Spirit of God; and
it is not in any way our own power. You might wonder – why
are there so many miracles in the New Testament, and so few
right now? The answer that we should prayerfully consider
is this – it is because of unbelief! Those who have every
reason to believe, often don’t!
But there is no
limit to what God CAN do in your life and mine. And He
WANTS to do great miracles for you and me. He proved both
His interest in us and His love for us, when Jesus Christ
died on the Cross for every one of our sins. If that isn’t
enough for you, look to His Holy Spirit, Himself God (as is
the Son), and they BOTH indwell believers in the Lord,
rendering such a person able to love in God’s strength and
become acceptable in the sight of God the Father.
Verse 21. “to Him be the glory in
the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever
and ever. Amen.”
There have been
many in history and there are a lot of people right now who
want to receive the glory. Nations want the glory. Many
religions want it and incredibly, so do a lot of religious
people! Philosophers, recording artists, scientists, movie
stars and explorers have been among those who want the
adulation of others. But the “glory” that matters belongs to God alone. Any church worth its
salt will glorify the Lord and not themselves, and this is
to be true – forever.
As touched upon in
the commentary on verse 20, the glory that was seen visibly
in and around the church is not the same as it was on and
shortly after the Day of Pentecost (Acts Chapter 2).
Thousands were being saved, innumerable people were being
healed and the world was being changed. Perhaps the dimming
of the “glory,” that was so
evident at that time, reveals our need today. It’s time to
recognize that any “glory”
we might think we have, belongs to Him. Let’s love our Lord
without limit, “forever and ever.
Amen.”
Ron
Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
The First Church On The Net
www.FridayStudy.org
www.FirstChurchOnTheNet.org
"While
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
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