EPHESIANS CHAPTER 3

Paul’s Stewardship

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.

(1) “For this reason” - You may ask the logical question for what reason? This letter written while a prison while Nero was emperor. Paul is saying although he was in chains he was not Nero’s prisoner.

(2)“prisoner of Christ Jesus - although Paul was a physical prisoner of Nero he was a spiritual captive of Jesus (stated again in - Philemon 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:8).

(2) “stewardship of God’s grace” – coming from the Greek word: oikonomia oy-kon-om-ee'-ah from 3623; administration (of a household or estate); specially, a (religious) "economy":--dispensation, stewardship. 623 Paul was given the mission to bring the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles. With this commission Jesus was placing Grace. The word grace was translated from the Greek word: charis khar'-ece from 5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):--acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, grace (- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy). Paul was given God’s divine influence upon his heart to witness of Jesus.

(3) “the mystery” - In previous studies we were told of this mystery Paul is speaking of. The mystery of course is Jesus was the Christ promised by the profits. And He had joined the Gentile and Jew into one church. A mystery because only those who have been enlightened by the Holy Spirit will it be revealed.

4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 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; 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, 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.

(4 ) “insight into the mystery of Christ” – the Holy Spirit granted Paul the wisdom to understand Gods plan. His plan was to provide a sacrifice for the sons of man, and make this sacrifice available to Jew and Gentile.

(5 ) “other generations was not made known” - All prior Jewish generations were under the law, and were not allowed to see the truth in God’s plan for the son of man.

(6) “to be specific” - We see here Paul does not want the Jewish believers to think they alone were heirs to the kingdom.

“Of the body” – As we know the body refers to the universal church of Christ which is the culmination of all believers. This body, like our own bodies, are comprised of several parts each having its own function, each equally important to the health of the body.

(7) “made a minister” – Paul is declaring his ordination given to him by Jesus to proclaim through the gospel the promise made to all believers. It is through the power of God that he Paul has the authority to proclaim His promise.

8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 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; 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.

(8 ) “the very least of all saints” - Why did Paul consider himself so lowly?

Perhaps it was because Paul felt unworthy because he once persecuted the saints (1 Corinthians 15:9).

(8 ) “grace was given” This mission was given to Paul, not because he deserved it, but rather because he was chosen by Jesus (Acts 9:5) .

This gift also serves as an example of the power of God to mold and shape a person.

(9 ) “administration” This was translated from the Greek word: oikonomia oy-kon-om-ee'-ah from 3623; administration (of a household or estate); specially, a (religious) "economy":--dispensation, stewardship. see GREEK for 3623 [2]

(9) “of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God” - Up to this time God had not revealed to mankind, nor to those in heavenly places, His plan of redemption.

(10) “be made known through the church” We can now clearly see God’s wisdom in establishing the church with Jesus as its head. The Church would be the manifestation of God’s wisdom.

(10) “rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.” The angels, all having different powers and authority, would now see God’s plan whereby all would come under Christ Jesus, His name is above all names in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 6:12 , Matthew 28:18 & Philippians 2:9-11).

11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

(11) “eternal purpose” - From the very beginning God’s plan for mankind, was to provide the only acceptable sacrifice for man’s sin, Jesus. Paul is saying now God has revealed this His plan for mankind.

(12) “boldness and confident” – We no longer need to fear going before God, because we have free access through Jesus the Christ (Hebrews 4:11 & 2 Corinthians 3:4).

13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

“my tribulations” - Paul was suffering in prison. This suffering, for the most part, was due to his separation from the newly converted Ephesians, who he loved. Paul was concerned that his imprisonment might cause them to lose their zeal for Christ Jesus.

“for they are your glory” – Paul had told them of his prior persecutions. It was these persecution which served to further God’s plan.

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 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, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

(14) “I bow my knees before the Father - It was a Jewish custom to stand while praying ( Matthew 6:5 ; Luke 18:11 . In kneeling Paul was following Philippians 2:10).

(15) “family in heaven” – The father of a child brings life to the child at conception. God created man and therefor is the Father of all men those in heaven and those on earth.

(16) “His glory” We can see Gods glory through the eyes of Moses as recorded in Exodus 33:22.

(16) “strengthened with power” – God is all powerful and we can nothing without the channeling of His to us.

(16) “inner man” – The inner man is that part of each of us which is the core of our being that which makes us unique this is also called the soul.

(Gods Spirit dwells souls of all who have accepted Christ Jesus and welcomed the Spirit of God.

(17 ) “Christ may dwell” As a follower of Jesus the Spirit of Christ lives with our inner being.

(17 ) “rooted and grounded in love” – Our lives become like the plant, with its roots going deeply in the ground, so too our lives are solidly grounded in the love of Jesus, which is reflected with r love for each other.

(18) “breadth and length and height and depth” God's love is limitless and it extends to all mankind. Paul wanted the Ephesians to know and appreciate all aspects of God’s love.

(19) “love of Christ “ – “Just as our hearts and minds are guarded by a faith in God that produces a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), there is a knowledge that comes from our experience of Christ's love for us that surpasses the knowledge we have of Him intellectually.”[8] We can’t fathom the magnitude of the love Jesus has for us.

(19) “fullness of God” Nothing can fill us to the point of fullness, except the Spirit God.

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, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Paul concludes his prayer in praise for the Lord of creation.