Ephesians 3:1-21
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Chapter 3 - How wide and deep his love is for the you
*Week 6: Eph 3:1-20
(Summary: The Purpose of the Mystery )
a. The Mystery Revealed: The Mystery’s...
b. Prisoner
c. Preaching
d. Plan
e. Purpose
f. Privileges
Q: What are the main points of this chapter?
The revelation of the mystery (1-13)
Paul’s second prayer: for their enablement (14-21)
( 3:1-4 ) For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
#1 Prisoner - The Mysteries Prisoner
Paul
Paul, a prisoner of the Lord, must have been a bombshell to his hearers
— Tells the Philippians church a few months that it is all for the best (cf. Phil 1:12-13)
Prisoner
(3:1) The prisoner of Christ Jesus for the Gentiles
Q: Who was holding Paul prisoner?
In Prison 5 Years
2 years in Caesarea
— Arrested on false charges by the Jews
— Accused of taking a gentile (Trophimus) into the temple
— To see how backwards this was, the punishment was for the Gentile to be thrown into prison and killed not the Jew
— The Jews stirred up the crowd and Paul was arrested
— Faced a hearing before the Sanhedrin
— Roman Gov Felix
— Roman Gove Festus
— King Agrippa (Acts 21:27-28:160
— Fanatical opposition to his message
— He was teaching that God had broken down the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile (cf. Eph 2:14-18 )
Ephesians 3:2-13
Paul interrupts himself and provides us with a parenthetical thought going back to the Mystery he started in Chapter 2
Dispensation
1. exemption
2. order of an organization
3. stewardship or administration
Paul Paul did not choose the stewardship (dispensation) of his ministry
— God called him, gave him gifts, knowledge, authority to to minister to the Gentiles
— “and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.” ( Gal 2:9 )
Q: What did Paul say we can have by reading what he had written? ( 3-4 )
— That by revelation God made know to him the “mystery”
Mystery Revealed
The Mystery Gentiles would be partakers of God’s blessings along with the Jews (v6)
Q: How was this new?
Universal blessings God promised universal blessings
“All peoples of the earth will be blessed through you” (Gen 12:3)
— Isaiah predicted salvation for all races (Isa 49:6) You had to become Jewish first
6 Indeed He says, ‘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.’ ”
Missions rejected The Jews rejected their role of missionaries
— Rejected the gospel
— God used Paul to turn to the Gentiles and fulfill Isa 49:6
— Hard to appreciate how radical this idea was.
( 3:5-6 ) which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
No One Knew Before the church age no one knew the truths that Paul was describing
— Paul explained (Gen 12:3)
— “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” ( Gen 12:3 )
— End of the age (Law); Harvest time for the Old Testament. (Took captivity captive)
— Beginning of new dispensation (Grace); Revealed by Holy Spirit
— Not just that Gentiles will be converted; rather, that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ Jesus by the Gospel
Explained Paul explained in Gal 3:8 the meaning of the promise to Abraham
— “ And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” ( Gal 3:8 )
Gospel goes out The prediction in Isa 49:6 is explained in Acts 13:46-47
— The OT knew nothing of the church
— Or the gathering of Jews and Gentiles
Together, Together, Together
Joint Blessings Very striking in Greek
— Lost in our English translations
— In Greek each word begins with συγ ( syn, together with)
— Joint-Heirs συγκληρονομα
— A joint-body συσσωμα
— Joint Partakers συμμετοχα
— NIV Captures the thought best (Eph 3:6)
6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
#2 The Mystery’s Preaching ( 3:7-13 )
( 3:7-13 ) of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Q: How is the gospel spread?
Spread by ministers Romans calls them preachers Rom 10:14
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
(3:7) of which I became a minister
— Was made (ESV, ASV, KJV)
— I became a minister (NKJV)
— I became a servant (NIV
Not Paul, All God
Paul did not make himself a minister but was made a minister by God (cf. Acts 26:16)
16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
Matthew Henry What God calls men to He fits them for, and does it with an almighty power
Q: On what basis?
Basis
Not because of education, or social standing, personality, public speaking abilities
— Made a minister by the Will of God, power of God The choice was not his
— Therefore, he deserved no congratulations
Q: Are you called?
Example Old preacher said to a young preacher - were you sent or did you just went?
Usurper A man not called but who enters the ministry is a usurper (cf. Jer 23:21,32)
def. a person who takes a position of power or importance illegally or by force.
21 “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the Lord, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the Lord.
( 3:8 ) To me who am less than the least
Q: What is Paul’s attitude towards himself?
Humility Not a proud person (cf. 1 Cor 15:9, 1 Tim 1:15)
9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
#3 The Mystery’s Plan
( 3:8 ) To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
The Plan preach the gospel to Gentiles
— disclose Christ’s plan for Jew and Gentile
( 3:8 ) Unsearchable riches of Christ
The unsearchable riches of Christ. There is a mighty treasury of mercy, grace, and love, laid up in Christ Jesus, and that both for Jews and Gentiles. Or, the riches of the gospel are here spoken of as the riches of Christ: the riches which Christ purchased for, and bestows upon, all believers. And they are unsearchable riches, which we cannot find the bottom of, which human sagacity could never have discovered, and men could not otherwise attain to the knowledge of them but by revelation.
( 3: 9 ) fellowship of the mystery
Fellowship To show the world the full extent of Jews and Gentiles together
#4 The Mystery’s Purpose
(3:10) to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
Q: What was the intent for proclaiming the revelation of this mystery? (v10)
Angels God has brought his church into being to manifest His great glory to the angels both holy and fallen
Glory Everything that God does has the ultimate purpose of giving Him glory
The Purpose
Universe The purpose of the Universe is to praise God, give Him glory (cf. Ps 19:1)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Angels Holy angels forever give God praise (cf. Ps 148:2, Heb 1:6)
2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!
6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
Salvation Redeemed man enhances his praise (cf. Rev 4:8-11; 5:8-14; 7:9-12; 14:1-3; 19:1-8)
Q: How do wicked angels glorify God?
Wicked Angels Even wicked angels glorify God
— They sought their own glory, cast out of heaven
— His Holy wrath also shows His justice and brings Him glory
— God is glorified when their plans are frustrated to destroy His church (cf Matt 16:18)
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Angels Watch They see the power of God at creation
— His anger at Mt. Sinai
— His love at the cross of Calvary
(3:10) the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church
— They see his manifold [multi-colored, multi-faceted] wisdom that is made known in the church (v10)
— Taking Jew, Gentile, slave, free man, making them all one in Christ in the church
— They see God breaking down every spiritual wall, Jesus said that there is Joy in the presence of the angels when one sinner repents (cf. Luke 15:10)
10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Because of the Angels
Paul admonished the Corinthian women to show submission to their husbands by wearing long hair because of the angels
Why?
— so as not to offend the angel’s submissiveness and they have reason to glorify God when they are obedient to God (cf. 1 Cor 11:10 )
10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
Holy Living
Angels are concerned about the discipline needed to produce holy and pure living and the leadership of the church (cf 1 Tim 5:21)
21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
John MacArthur
“In the classroom of God’s universe, He is the teacher, the angels are the students, the church is the illustration, and the subject is the manifold wisdom of God.”
(3:11) according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Q: According to what was all this being done (v11)
The eternal purpose or plan which God accomplished in Christ Jesus
Salvation
The whole of salvation is according to His purpose
— Fixed in the eternal trinitarian council before the foundation of the world
— His incarnation, when he would come into the world, his suffering and death
— All circumstances
— The means by which we would be saved, settled in the decrees of God (cf. Acts 2:22-23 )
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
(3:12) in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him
Q: What has Christ therefore made possible for us (v12) ?
Boldness and access to God with confidence through Faith in Him
Access
Courage, Access, Confidence
— Free and unrestricted access to the Father
— We can approach Him without restraint, bring him all our troubles
— Ask for His help in all our needs
— Be totally honest
— We should ask - enable us to live in such a way as to bear fruit, reflect God’s holiness, so that the angels see us as a mirror of God’s virtue
(3:13) Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory
Joy Joy should fill our hearts
Paul was concerned that believers would lose heart because of his imprisonment
— A short time later he wrote to the Philippians (cf. Phil 1:12)
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
Paul’s Second Prayer for the Ephesians
Q: In this second prayer, what does he ask?
— That they be strengthened by the Spirit of God (v17)
— that they understand the Love of Christ (v18)
— be filled with the Fullness of God (v19)
Eph 3:14-19
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
(3:15) from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named
Q: Is God the spiritual father of everyone?
Not Universalism
Father, not teaching universalism
— Liberals teach that God is every man’s spiritual father
— Scripture clearly teaches two spiritual fatherhood's: God and Satan.
God Spiritual father of those who trust Him, both in heaven and on the earth
Satan Spiritual father of those who do not, either willingly or unwillingly
— John 8 very clear
— Jesus spoke to those Jews who claimed to be spiritual descendants of Abraham but who rejected Christ (cf. John 8:39-42, 44)
39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
— Such an important topic that John repeats it in 1 John
— John expounds on this in 1 John 3:10
— “in this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.” ( 1 John 3:10 )
#5 The Privileges
His Riches (v16)
Paul has already to us
The riches that we already posses in Christ
— (1:3) Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places
— (1:4) Choosing use before the foundation of the world
— (1:7) His redemption and forgiveness
— (1:9) making known to us the mystery of His will
— (1:11) an inheritance with His son Jesus Christ
Not Asking
Not asking that we be given these riches
— But that we would be strengthen by God according to the riches we already possess
Spiritual Poverty
We act like we live in spiritual poverty
— In 1918 when Hetty Green died, she left behind a fortune of 100 million dollars
— Yet she lived so miserly that she ate cold oatmeal because she did not want to spend money on gas to heat the oatmeal
— Her son has a server leg injury
— She waited to get into a free clinic
— The infection became so bad that his leg was amputated
— She would travel thousands of miles to collect a debt of a few hundred dollars
— She told her maid to only wash the dirtiest part of her dress to save soap
— She wore tattered rags and only changed her clothes when they wore out
(3:16) enjoy the vast riches of his glory (NASB)
Tattered rags
We go around in apparent spiritual poverty and only occasionally enjoy the vast riches of his glory (v16)
Q: What is the first step?
(3:16) to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man
First
strengthened with might through the spirit in the inner man (3:16)
— Feed regularly on God’s word
— Seek the Spirit’s will in all decisions of life
— Spiritual power is not the mark of a special class of Christians, but the mark of every Christian who submits to God’s Word and Spirit
Inner Man
The opposite of the outer, physical man
— The outer man should grow weaker as we grow older
— The inner man should continue to grow stronger and stronger
Second
Spiritual growth can be defined as the decreasing frequency of sin
— Where the strength of God increases, sin decreases
(3:17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (NASB)
Q: Have you asked Jesus into your heart?
Common Sentiment
We hear this phrase all the time - this is the only place in the bible that mentions Christ dwelling in our hearts
Not Salvation
Cannot be talking about Salvation because at our salvation Christ dwells in us
— “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” ( 2 Cor 13:5 )
— This is not something that happens later, after our salvation (Col 1:27)
— “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” ( Col 1:27 )
We are in Christ
All believers are in Christ
— The context is not salvation
— He has already said seven times, all believers are in Christ (cf 1:1; 1:3; 1:10; 1:12; 2:6; 2:10; 2:13)
Sanctification Indwelling us in sanctification
Hendriksen, William
Wrong is the idea the spirit impart strength in believers after which there arrives a time when Christ establishes his abode in these now strengthened hearts
The Wrong View exposed by many
Charles Ryrie
No commitment, not even a willingness. Christ does not need to be Lord of you life (Balancing the Christian Life, p.169—170)
Zane Hodges Salvation is promised to anyone who simply believes the facts
Tragic Result
Many believe they are saved without fruit
— Encourages a shallow and ineffectual faith
— Justification without sanctification
(3:17) dwell in your hearts
Dwell κατοικησαι (katoikeo) [for] to 3 dwell
— kata (down) + oikeo (inhabit a house)
Not Inside
The idea is not to just be inside the house, but to dwell, live and inhabit
— Christ cannot be “at home” in hearts until the spirit controls our lives
Jesus Enters
Jesus enters the house in our hearts when he saves us, but cannot dwell there in comfort until it is cleansed of sin
(3:17) being rooted and ground in love
Love in abundance
Strong, inwardly by God’s spirit results in love in abundance (v17)
Love ἀγάπη (agapē) (love)
— Biblical love, a matter of the will, not emotion. selfless love
— The absence of love is the presence of sin
— Sin and love are enemies, because sin and God are enemies
— A loveless life - ungodly life A godly life - serving, caring, giving, sacrificing life
A matter of will
God’s decision to send His son to the world was not a matter of feelings, a decision
Deny Self Deny self, give to others (John 15:13)
13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
To understand
To understand this love, it has to be experienced.
Jazz
Loui Armstrong, famous jazz player, was asked to explain Jazz,
— he said “Man, if I got to explain it, you ain’t go it.”
(3:18) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—
Understand better
Can’t understand, God is incomprehensible (cf. Job 11:7, 8, 9)
John Calvin
Understand our calling of the Gentiles at the beginning of the chapter. Or the spiritual building, the church. Or the love of God which reaches across all nations, ages, depths and brings us to an exalted state in glory
Love’s Dimensions
Dimensions of Love
Breadth, length, width, height, depth - vastness, completeness
— If you want to be all that you are to be, you must be filled with the love of Christ, surpassing understanding and knowledge
Not Not love for Christ
— But the love of Christ
(3:20-21) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen
The Lord’s glory (20-21)
Great Doxology
When the Holy Spirit indwells us, love has mastered us, we are able to do exceedingly beyond all that we ask or think.
A pyramid (20) He is able
He is able to do
He is able to do exceeding abundantly
He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask
He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think
Conclusion
God’s power is exalted
God knows what we want before we ask
— He has prepared them before we ask
— Some things we would never ask, some things we should never ask - if he had not provided them
Paul has asked for much
But God is able to do exceedingly more!
— Paul’s reasoning (a) God can do all that we ask
— (b) able to do even what we dare not ask but only can imagine
— (c ) He can do more than this, far more, very far more not dealing with abstractions or imagination but according to His power that works in us
Additional Resources
Sproul, R. C. (1994). The Purpose of God: Ephesians. Scotland: Christian Focus Publications.
MacArthur, J. (2000). Ephesians: Our Immeasurable Blessings in Christ. Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group.
MacArthur, J. (1986). The McArthur New Testament Commentary Ephesians. Moody Press Chiago.
Calvin, J., & Pringle, W. (2010). Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul to the Galatians and Ephesians. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Boice, James Montgomery (1997). An Expositional Commentary on Ephesians. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books
Hendriksen, William (1967). New Testament Commentary Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books
Michal Horton (1994) , Putting Amazing back into Grace, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books
Luther, Martin (1957), The Bondage of the Will, Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H Revell
Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition (1997).
Ryrie, Charles, Balancing the Christian Life