Paul's Ministry To The Gentiles

INTRO

Dr. Tom Constable points out that in chapter 3, “Paul began to pray for his readers again (cf. vv. 1, 14), but he interrupted himself to tell them more about the church.”¹

TEACHING

Ephesians 3:1-5: In the first five verses, Paul explains to the Ephesians what is important to him. John Eadie explains that in verse 1, “‘For this reason’ refers to what Paul had said in the first two chapters, about God’s blessings that are now the possession of both Gentile and Jewish believers.”² As we’ve already mentioned, Paul was under house arrest in Rome and was therefore “the prisoner of Christ Jesus” (v. 1b). Paul underscored that his ministry was for the Gentiles (v. 1c). In verse 2, the word “administration” can also mean stewardship, or managing someone’s household.³ Paul was explaining that he had been given the responsibility for stewarding God’s grace to the Gentiles. Nelson’s Commentary explains stewardship as “the work of a person who took care of all the financial affairs of a large household or business” and states, “Paul was entrusted with the stewardship of God’s economy, to dispense the riches of Christ to God’s household and to preach the Good News.”⁴

In verse 3, Paul refers to the “mystery” that was revealed to him. Nelson’s Commentary explains, “The dispensation (stewardship) that God gave Paul for the benefit of the Ephesians had previously been a mystery. Now God was revealing this mystery more fully in Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. The mystery was that Jews and Gentiles were to have an equal status in the church, the body of Christ.”⁵

The Bible Knowledge Commentary identifies the New Testament passages that reference the “mysteries”⁶:

• Matthew 13:11 and Luke 8:10 speak of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God, respectively.
• Romans 11:25 and 16:25–26 explains that Israel had a hardening of heart, and that the plan of salvation would come through Jesus.
• 1 Corinthians 4:1 and 15:51 speak of New Testament revelation and the rapture.
• Ephesians 1:9; 3:2–4 are about God’s will, the administration of God’s grace, and Christ. Ephesians 3:9 and 5:32 speak of Christ and the church.
• Colossians 1:26-27 speak of Christ in us.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:7 shares the secret power that comes with lawlessness.

Arnold Fruchtenbaum provides four characteristics of the church, which are described as a mystery:⁷

Jews and Gentiles are to be united in the church (Ephesians 3:1–12).

Christ dwells within each believer (Colossians 1:24–27).

The church functions as the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22–32).

The church will be raptured (1 Corinthians 15:50–58).

Fruchtenbaum explains, “These four mysteries describe qualities that distinguish the church from Israel.”⁸

Paul explains that because the Ephesians were reading his words, they could now understand what Paul was saying about the mystery (v. 4). Paul explained that no one in earlier generations had been given this revelation and implied that this revelation was not just given to Paul (v. 5). Nelson’s Commentary states, “People who lived in the other ages, before Pentecost, had a great deal

2 John Eadie, Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians, 2d ed. (Edinburgh: %. & T. Clark, 1883; reprint ed. Minneapolis: James and Klock, 1977), pp. 208–209; quoted in Thomas L. Constable, Dr. Constable’s Expository Bible Study Notes: Ephesians, p. 65; available online at https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/ephesians.pdf.

of knowledge about God and His grace, as the OT demonstrates. However, that knowledge was not as all-embracing as the revelation that we receive in Christ Jesus . . . equality with the Jews in one body was a secret never before revealed.”⁹

Ephesians 3:6–13: Wiersbe explains, verse 6 shows the Gentiles “are fellow-heirs with the Jews and share in the spiritual riches God gave them because of His covenant with Abraham (Galatians 3:29).”¹⁰ In verse 7, Paul explains he was “made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace.” Some translations use “minister” in the place of “servant.” Nelson’s Commentary states, “It took divine grace to transform Paul from a blasphemer into a saint, from a Pharisee into an apostle, and from a persecutor of Christians into a preacher of Christ. Then it took divine power and authority to enable Paul to function as a minister of God.”¹¹ Paul repeats that the grace of this mystery had been given to him—one who was “the least of all the saints” (v. 8) (1 Timothy 1:15). Paul’s assignment was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (v. 8b) and explain the mystery of the church to everyone (v. 9). In verse 10, Paul said his work was “God’s multi-faceted wisdom” and would be known to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. Nelson’s Commentary explains, “God’s manifold wisdom is to be displayed to the angelic beings by the members of the church . . . Angels are also learning about God’s wisdom as they watch His grace working in us (1 Corinthians 11:10).”¹¹ This was all part of God’s eternal plan (v. 11). Because of the work of Christ, we can have boldness and confidence in our access to God (v. 12). Paul told the Ephesians not to be discouraged that he was under arrest because it too was all part of God’s plan (v. 13).

Ephesians 3:14–21: In verse 14, Paul begins to teach the Ephesians how to pray. Paul says he kneels before God who was/is the Father of everyone in heaven and on earth (v. 15). He prayed that the Ephesians would be strengthened by God’s power through His Spirit (v. 16). Paul also prayed that the Ephesians would be firmly rooted in the love of Christ and to be able to understand the depth of God’s love (vv. 17-19). Paul used this prayer to speak to the debate going on about whether the Jews and the Gentiles were meant to come together as the body of Christ. Paul’s response was that God’s love was beyond anything they could comprehend. In verse 20, Paul began his doxology––his benediction at the end of the prayer: “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us––to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

CLOSING

Because of God’s grace and power, Paul believed God could bring the Jews and the Gentiles together to be the body of Christ. Jesus is The Head of the body.