Mystery made known. A series on Ephesians part 5 (Ephesians 3:1-13)

 



Read Ephesians 3:1-13 (see below)

Paul writes to say that God revealed to the apostles that the gospel is also for the gentiles.  They are fellow heirs, members of the"same body" and partake in the promise in Christ, through the gospel. It's God's grace Paul was sent to outreach to the Gentiles and that through him God's plan for them would be made known.  All this is according to God's plan. 

Paul packed a whole lot into these verses. He reiterates that man, including himself, can do nothing to earn salvation. God chooses us and has a plan. He uses us to fulfill the plan and gives us what we need to do the works He has set for us. Any Jews reading the letter would have had a hard time with Paul's next point. The Jews believed that only the Jews would be saved; they didn't share the gospel with the nations around them. It was probably hard to be open to Paul's God-given task. The gospel is not only for the Jews but also for the gentiles! Paul tells them that his God-given task is to bring the gospel to the Gentiles; both Jews and Gentiles all become one body in Christ. We are united by Christ. We must see each other as one whole. Not just individuals but part of Christ's body working together. We currently live in a world of acceptance, so this may not seem like a big deal to us. But this world of acceptance has actually made it harder to spread the gospel. We're supposed to accept others as they are and not "push" our beliefs on others. Are we so intimidated by the world that we lose sight of our calling? We, too, are called to share the gospel! Paul wants their faith to be obvious. He says that their faith should shine so bright that even the angels (heavenly authorities) might see it. (We know he's not referring to God as God knows everything. The angels then must be the Heavenly rulers and authorities). We can be bold and confident through our faith in Jesus. Do you boldly share the gospel with those around you?


Ephesians 3:1‭-‬13 ESV

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.


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