In our study of Ephesians chapter three, we will look at the great mystery of how God brings together Jews and Gentiles to form a new unified body.
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It is a consequence of this that I, Sha'ul, am a prisoner of the Messiah Yeshua on behalf of you Gentiles.
Paul opens by explaining that his mission from God is to share the good news with the Gentiles. Paul describes himself as a "prisoner of Christ Jesus" which might seem strange to us but a prisoner is one that cannot leave or do whatever they want. Paul wants them to know that this is from God and not a decision that he made on his own.
I assume that you have heard of the work God in his grace has given me to do for your benefit, and that it was by a revelation that this secret plan was made known to me. I have already written about it briefly,
When Paul accepted Christ and went to Jerusalem to testify, you can bet that it was big news and the story would have spread rapidly. So, Paul assumes that they have heard of his calling and the fact that he was sent to the Gentiles.
and if you read what I have written, you will grasp how I understand this secret plan concerning the Messiah. In past generations it was not made known to mankind, as the Spirit is now revealing it to his emissaries and prophets,
The mystery that Paul refers to is the fact that, through Jesus, Jews and Gentiles are united into one body. The Old Testament talked of all men knowing God but the Jews were always separate as God's chosen people. The mystery is that they are still God's chosen people but Gentiles are included.
that in union with the Messiah and through the Good News the Gentiles were to be joint heirs, a joint body and joint sharers with the Jews in what God has promised.
Not only are Gentiles included in the relationship with God but we are joined with Israel into one body. This is only possible through Jesus.
I became a servant of this Good News by God's gracious gift, which he gave me through the operation of his power.
Paul explains that it is by God's power that he is able to share the gospel. It is also only because of God's grace that he is allowed to do so.
To me, the least important of all God's holy people, was given this privilege of announcing to the Gentiles the Good News of the Messiah's unfathomable riches, and of letting everyone see how this secret plan is going to work out. This plan, kept hidden for ages by God, the Creator of everything,
Paul sums up his ministry here and he never strayed from God's calling on his life. He shows humility in saying that he is less than the least and knew that it was only a gift of God that allowed him to serve. His ministry was twofold in that he was to bring Gentiles to Christ and to explain to everyone how God brought Jews and Gentiles together into one body. When you serve, do you serve with the same attitude (humility and gratitude for the chance to serve)?
is for the rulers and authorities in heaven to learn, through the existence of the Messianic Community, how many-sided God's wisdom is. This accords with God's age-old purpose, accomplished in the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord.
The purpose for this great mystery is for God to be glorified. Imagine the surprise when the angels and others in heaven saw Jesus crucified and then raised again. You see they don't know everything so God gets to reveal things about himself and enjoy watching His creation as they come to understand Him more. They had no idea that God was going to bring the Gentiles into a relationship with Him. Just imagine their wonder. We, too, should have that same wonder as we see what God has done for us.
In union with him, through his faithfulness, we have boldness and confidence when we approach God.
What a wonderful promise in this verse. Because of the blood of Jesus Christ, we can go to God in prayer anytime and have the assurance that He listens and cares. We can also be sure that, as Jesus said, if we ask for things in faith God will provide.
So I ask you not to be discouraged by the troubles I endure on your behalf - it is all for your glory.
Paul reminds the believers that, because of the promise we have through Jesus, suffering does not need to cause depression. The suffering we have here is only temporary and the promise of being with Jesus is for always.
For this reason, I fall on my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its character.
Paul was a man of prayer and once again he goes to pray for others. Today, prayer is popular but, as we see here, the prayer is to the Father in heaven and not to or through anyone else.
I pray that from the treasures of his glory he will empower you with inner strength by his Spirit, so that the Messiah may live in your hearts through your trusting.
We see Paul's specific prayers for the Ephesians as he starts by praying for them to be strong in the Spirit.
Also I pray that you will be rooted and founded in love, so that you, with all God's people, will be given strength to grasp the breadth, length, height and depth of the Messiah's love, yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing, so that you will be filled with all the fullness of God.
Paul continues to share his prayers for the Ephesians as we see that he now prays for them to know how much God loves them. This is more than a head knowledge as it is of the heart. We see that the power to grasp this comes from God and the purpose is so that we will grow closer to Him.
Now to him who by his power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the Messianic Community and in the Messiah Yeshua from generation to generation forever. Amen.
Paul concludes his prayer by reminding the Ephesians (and us as well) that El Shaddai (God Almighty) is the one who created all things and therefore owns everything. He can do more than we could ever even dream of and that same power is alive in us as He is in us through the Holy Spirit. The purpose of all things is to bring Him glory.
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