Ephesians 3:1-13 “The Mystery of the Church – Jews and Gentiles Together in One Body”

¹  For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
²  assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
³  how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
⁴  When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
⁵  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.
⁶  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.
⁷  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.
⁸  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,
⁹  and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,
¹⁰  so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
¹¹  This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
¹²  in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
¹³  So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

As the Apostle Paul continues his “Doctrinal” section of Ephesians, he continues his explanation of this “New” thing that God is doing – the Church.

As the LORD allows, I will cover this passage under three headings:

(3:1-6) The Meaning of the Mystery

(3:7-10) The Minister of the Mystery

(3:11-13) The Masterplan of the Mystery

We will see in these verses the reason that God gave Paul this new revelation of HIS plan and purpose for the church. Paul will include some personal information that will help us fully appreciate his Apostleship and why and how God was using him.

Paul tells us several facts about this “New” reality in which he – and we – are living out our lives…

Amazingly, God will include Gentiles in HIS One Body the Church. Not as mere proselytes, as they were in the Old Testament, but, “fellow-heirs” with the Jews as the Elect People of God.

God had made Paul a minister of the gospel by grace just as HE has every minister of the gospel. HE had a work and a plan for that work for Paul.

While ministers today do not write Scripture, it is our work to rightly interpret and apply the Scripture to our life and the life of those whom we serve.

We will see God’s ULTIMATE purpose for doing this: “the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

One more big thing… God reminds Paul, the Ephesians, and all of us who serve HIM that our service is for others.

I hope that you will prayerfully and carefully read over and pray over these thirteen verses this week to prepare your mind and heart to hear the Word of God on Sunday.

“I hope to see you Sunday with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your family and friends by your side.”