Ephesians 3

Introduction

In chapter 2, Paul explained in detail how gentiles are included in the salvation plan. Chapter 3 follows the explanation with two outcomes. The first outcome was the calling of Paul to "specialize" in the ministry to the Gentiles (v2-v13). Paul was both an orthodox Jew as well as a persecutor of Christians - he would not be someone we would choose to spread the gospel to gentiles, yet once again God did the unexpected and changed a hardened person inside out. The second outcome (v14-v21) encourages the saints to be grounded and to be confident in God's love, and to know that they have been given the power to live the new faith in victory. Because of what Christ had done, we fight not for victory, but from victory.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-6

"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." (v6)

Observation 

Paul explained that the plan (or the so called "mystery") for the gentiles to be fellow heirs with the Jews - were given to him via revelation. This first occurred on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–7) and at other times (Acts 22:17–21). 

The old testament did have references to the promised Messiah and eluded that He will save the gentiles as well but it was only at the time of the apostles that the full meaning and implications were plainly explained. (eg. See Isaiah 49:  `It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'")

Application 

Paul uses a number of flowery descriptions about himself here: "prisoner of Christ" and  "steward of God's grace."  Do we identify with these description as we live for Christ and minister to His people? In what specific aspects or for what specific purposes are you (willing to be) a prisoner of Christ and a steward of his grace?

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-13

"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," (v9)

Observation: 

Paul shared how he was called to be the minister of the gospel to the gentiles. He admitted  it wasn't because he is the best of the apostles or have great qualification in this area. As a Jewish, dealing with gentiles won't come naturally.

Paul said it is by the gift of God's grace - this is not referring to the grace of Salvation, but the grace that that gives him the power and desire to do God's will, and to endure the hardship. Together with such grace comes spiritual gifts that equip Paul for this great and difficult mission.

Application:

Pastor Edmund Chan from CEFC Church  said: "discovering your gift gives you purpose, giving it away gives you meaning."

We cannot rely on human strength to do God's work. God gives grace with power to all believers. Are you aware what is your spiritual gift? And what is your calling to use that gift? Is it to minister to a specific group of people (race, age, gender, social status?) To a specific geography? Or simply within your own family and church? You need to find out,  and when you do, discuss with your house and church authority how best to serve.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-17a

"that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (v16-17)

Observation:

Paul repeats "for this reason" here in verse 14 to continue his thought he started in verse 1, after side tracking to explain his calling to be the apostle to the gentiles (v2-13). In this prayer, he wishes the saints to be strengthened by power, and to be grounded in love.

The purpose of the power is to strengthen their faith in Christ,  especially in times of persecution and difficult life circumstances. The power flows through the Spirit which is already in each of us, into our inner being. (see acts 1:8)

Application: 

The power (GK. dynamis) enables us to be "dynamic" in our faith, embolden us supernaturally when the time calls for - be it to share the gospel, to stand up for our faith in public, to resist peer pressure to compromise our values, to pray for miraculous intervention, to endure persecution and even to lay down our lives for Christ.

Let us claim this power that is already within us, to accomplish things that we can never imagine we could do. "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."  2 Tim 1:7

Scripture: Ephesians 3:17b-21

"that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."  (v17-19)

Observation: 

How does a human become "God like"? It is by having the perfect understanding of all the dimensions of Christ's love - for God is love, and Christ the manifestation of love in the flesh. 

Christ's love will take a lifetime to truly appreciate. And if one has perfect understanding of it, one would not be able to describe it, for it surpasses (transcend) all rational knowledge. What is more important is that as we understand His love more and more, it should transform our inner and outer perspectives, so that we are filled with more fullness of God.

Application:

What do you think are the "God like" characters? I suppose the obvious one is that our love will be more consistent with the description in 1 Cor 13. We would also have more humility, more understanding and tolerance, more forgiving, have greater compassion,  and so on. 

What are the qualities you wish to be more Christ like? Will praying Paul's prayer above - that God gives you the desire and ability to know Christ's love deeper help to develop those qualities? Pray and see.


Prayer for Ephesians 3

Lord, we thank you for raising up servants like Paul and all the subsequent evangelists, preachers and pastors so that we, the gentiles, can hear of the good news and be saved. We submit ourselves to be prisoners of Christ, and the stewards of your grace, so that through us others may also hear of your unsearchable riches stored for us together. Help each of us to continue to grow in the knowledge of your love and in spiritual maturity and to be more like Christ. Amen.