The Amazing Mystery Ephesians 3:1-13

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1 Introduction Chapter 3 begins a new division in the book of Ephesians. Paul starts the chapter with the phrase For his cause or for this purpose (linking back to 2:11-22 specifically 19-22). Paul will reveal God s eternal purpose for believers in every generation. God s purpose in Christ is to make a new body of believers, united composed of believing Jew and believing Gentile. This new Body is tasked with loving the Lord God with heart, soul, mind and strength; that is they will love the Lord supremely (vv.1-13). The second purpose is to bring the believer to maturation, to the fullness of God in Christ (see Ephesians 3:14-21). Paul refers to his ministry to the Gentiles as the stewardship of God s grace which was given to me for you (v.2). Paul was entrusted with the message of grace. Paul was expected to convey that message to his Gentile readers. How did Paul come to know God s plan? By revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief (see 1:9 or perhaps 2:19-22). Paul refers to himself as the recipient of the mystery (vv.1-4;7-9;9); the time of the mystery (v.5); the nature of the mystery (v.6); and the reasons for the mystery (vv.10-12). The mystery was concealed in the Old Testament (v.5a) and now revealed in the New Testament (v.5b). The secret is that believing Jews and believing Gentiles are joined to the Body of Christ (v.6). Paul s mission is to preach God s Word to the Gentiles (vv. 1b-4;9). Paul mentions his mistreatment (vv.1-2); although guilty of no crime Paul is in prison. We see Paul s meekness he sees himself as the least deserving Christian to to be the recipient of the mystery but understand the reasons for the mystery that God s wisdom and grace could be experienced by the church (vv.10b-12); and exhibited to angels (v.10a). The word mystery is important to our study. Paul will use the term three times in chapter three and six times in the letter. What does that word mean? John Stott offers this insight: We need to realize that the English and Greek words do not have the same meaning. In English a mystery is something dark, obscure, secret, puzzling. What is mysterious is inexplicable, even incomprehensible. The Greek word mysterion is different, however. Although still a secret, it is no longer closely guarded but open...the Christian mysteries are truths, which although beyond human discovery, have been revealed by God and so now belong openly to the whole church (The Message of Ephesians: God s New Society; The Bible Speaks Today Series: p.116). A mystery is a sacred secret that is unknown to unbelievers, but understood and treasured by the people of God. Jesus came to a world deeply divided, a world estranged from God and from one another. A popular phrase in our culture is we are two Americas. We divide between the have s and have nots; between race, religion, political party and personal perceptions. Sometimes the divisions cut deep in the fabric of family life, church life, social life. The most serious problem is the deep division between Creator and His creation; brought on by man s sin and rebellion. Paul understands that human beings estranged from God will never fulfill their purpose unless they are reconciled by Christ. In the early church mystery religions were every where in the Roman Empire including Ephesus. Most people had exposure to one or more mystery religions. I am quite certain that many of Paul s readers had been exposed to or were saved out of one of the mystery religion cults. These religions involved selfdeprivation, drug use, chanting and altered states. These religions played heavily on subjective religious experiences profound emotions and appealed to sacred information known only to those initiated into the cults mystery rites. Paul is declaring that the mystery God chose to conceal in the past is now known in the present. It was to be a source of joy and good news for everyone. No one need be left out. All in Christ are included. The Church of Jesus Christ and the gospel of Jesus Christ was for all, no one was to be left out. We are now a Holy Nation, without borders with one King; we are drawn from every tribe, nation and language group. The significance of this amazing mystery and ministry were not lost on Paul. Paul will now explore the significance of this amazing mystery for himself, for the Gentiles, for the angels and for the Church. 1

2 Significant To Paul (vv.1-5) Ephesians 3:1 5(NKJV)1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles 2if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, Paul believes he exists to serve Christ no matter the hardship or cost or consequence. Paul was entrusted with the stewardship of grace (dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you!). Paul is both a literal and figurative prisoner. Paul writes these words from prison in Rome. Being in prison is a cause for alarm in both the ancient and modern world. Paul was in prison on trumped up charges. In the book of Acts (21:27-28:16) Paul had gone to Jerusalem to give an offering to the impoverished church in Jerusalem collected from the Gentile churches. Paul was accused of taking his friend and companion Trophimus- (from Ephesus) into the forbidden areas of the Temple (he never did). Paul faced hearings before the Sanhedrin, hearings before Roman Governors and now his case was on appeal to Caesar Nero in Rome. When Paul wrote these words the whole ordeal was about in its fifth year. Paul is in jail as a prisoner of Christ in obedience to his calling to the Gentiles! Perspective can make all the difference in the world in our attitudes and actions. There is a famous story of Christopher Wren building St. Paul s Cathedral. He was surveying the work and asked a man what he was doing; I am cutting this stone to fit this shape the man replied. He asked the next person what he was doing; the man said; I am doing a job which makes me a great deal of money. He asked a third person, who got up squared his shoulders and said, I am helping Sir Christopher Wren build St. Paul s Cathedral. God changed Saul into Paul on the Damascus road. Saul was a picture of Jewish orthodoxy. I suspect his attitude and love for Gentiles prior to his conversion was no different from his contemporary peers. But Paul changed. Paul writes concerning the significance of the mystery for his own life. God made Paul a slave to Jesus Christ for the purpose of preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul existed to be a steward (slave) of the dispensation of the grace of God. The word translated dispensation is oikonomian-. The word was used to describe a stewardship, or management, or administration or ownership. Here the meaning seems to be Paul was given stewardship, duty to oversee and administer the grace of God to the world! Paul s job was not simply to preach the gospel or win converts or build the organization and hierarchy of the church but to instruct them in the unsearchable treasures and riches found in Christ. This is our privilege and responsibility to all who minister Christ. We are stewards and servants of grace; we are not slaves to the world or self. Mark 10:43-44: Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever desires to be first shall be slave of all. 2

3 Matthew 20:28; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Every minister is a steward of God s grace. Man of God, Woman of God you are caretakers and stewards of grace. You are to bring grace to a grace deprived world. Sadly many homes are suffering grace insecurity grace deprivation. We are stewards of God s grace and mercy in Christ. I Corinthians 4:1-2; Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. In the Old Testament Joseph s faithful stewardship had resulted in false charges, false imprisonment and much personal deprivation. In the end it brought great glory to God and salvation for the Egyptian people and Joseph s family. A great famine almost destroyed the Egyptian people saving perhaps hundreds of thousands of people. A faithful steward will use their gift within the family of God and outside the family of God to sometimes help the unbelieving world. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1Peter 4:10). 3how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), The stewardship entrusted to Paul was a mystery now revealed but it required a special revelation. Paul refers the reader back to chapter 2: Paul has made reference to this grace (vv.2;7). The revelation Paul received required complete disclosure. Paul was obligated to share the information with others. Paul does not simply speak the mystery but wants to clarify the mystery and explain the mystery. Note in verse 4 the expression when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. The word translated knowledge means to bring together it is the opposite of foolishness (wisdom) or a lack of spiritual discernment. Spiritual insight must always precede practical application, because what is not properly understood cannot be properly applied (John MacArthur). 5which 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: The Old Testament gave hints that God wanted to save the Gentiles. They were portrayed as a people far off, looking for a salvation that only God could provide in His Servant. Zechariah calls this Servant The Branch. The shock and surprise was that Gentiles would have full access, equal privilege and shared promises with the children of Israel. In verse 5 Paul plainly states that God was going to build a new covenant people. No one knew the full meaning of the Abrahamic 3

4 promise; in you all the families of the earth will be blessed. The expression which in other ages was not made known means past generations. Significant To Gentiles (vv.6-8) 6that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, Paul restates the mystery. The revelation consisted of three parts: (1) The Gentiles are fellow heirs of God with the Jews. (2) The Gentiles are of the same (NOT SEPARATE) body with the Jews. (3) The Gentiles receive the same promise of Christ as the Jews. Paul makes up a new word fellow heirs and partakers. It is very hard to communicate what this means. Even though the Gentiles were to be saved to become one with the Jew to join the Covenant Community was a revolutionary unprecedented idea. Imagine a colony of lepers suddenly declared clean and now freely allowed to associate with the healthy community. The thought of Gentiles being on an equal spiritual footing with the Jew was inconceivable and nothing short of blasphemy (MacArthur). Why is this significant to the Gentiles? They become heirs with the Jews (they are equally blessed as outsiders they are fully insiders!). The Gentiles join the covenant body. The Gentiles are fully invested. What is Paul saying? All Christians regardless of ethnic or language or status prior to coming to Christ in Christ are fellow heirs together in everything that pertains to Christ. Believers share a common inheritance. Everything Christ has we have. By faith in Jesus Christ we are no longer outsiders, strangers, or second class citizens. The revelation of this mystery was foretold by Jesus but not explained (see Matthew 16:18). Jesus says And I 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. Jesus lives in believing Jews and Gentiles. The full revelation was given to Paul and accepted by Peter James and John and all the Apostles. In Paul s writings we find the doctrine, position, walk and destiny of the Church. 7of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. 8To 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, In Greek, Paul became (literally was made or created) a servant of the gospel. Believing Gentiles are not only given a new relationship but they have a new power! by the effective working of His power. The power illustrated in the life of Paul (given to me). God saved Paul by grace (just like you). God gave Paul a stewardship (just like you). And gave a special ministry to the Gentiles (I don t know what your special ministry is but you have a special 4

5 ministry). Each of you are entrusted with a special stewardship that can only be accomplished by you! The effective working of His power (dunamis). The Gentile is given grace, power and new riches. Look at the expression the unsearchable riches of Christ. The riches that cannot be tracked. The word means that which cannot be traced. Many years ago I used to keep a silhouette of my son Anthony which was made when he was little boy. A silhouette is a tracing that captures the outline of a figure. Christ s outline cannot be traced Christ is inexhaustible, inscrutable, past knowing, infinite. The riches are so vast you cannot discover find their end. Who are these riches for? Are they available to you and to me? Look at verse eight. To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given. Paul will later refer to himself as the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). I like what Warren Wiersbe says about this passage: Understanding the deep truths of God s Word does not give a man a big head; it gives him a broken and contrite heart. What has Bible Study done for you? What has been revealed to Paul must be proclaimed by Paul. All revealed truth is held in trust in stewardship by the people of God. It is given to be shared. You don t monopolize the truth. If men can t keep scientific discoveries to themselves how much more should we be willing to share the truths of Scripture. Can you imagine the scientist who discovers access to unlimited fuel or an expensive endless energy source keeping it to herself? Can you imagine the scientist who finally finds the cure for cancer and decides to keep the discovery secret? One more additional comment about the unsearchable riches of Christ; Paul is convinced as we must be convinced that the knowledge of Jesus the truth about Jesus never impoverishes but always enriches. Those who put their faith and trust in Jesus are enriched. Here is the double obligation that Paul insists on: To share God s truth and share the riches of Jesus Christ in Christ we have all that we need and more. We must recover the Apostolic conviction: Once we are sure that the gospel is both truth from God and riches for mankind, nobody will be able to silence us. How can we remain silent? How can we pretend that someone something else will satisfy the deep longing of our soul? Significant To Angels (vv.9-10) 9and 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; 10to 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, Paul s reader in Ephesus might ask; Why did God keep this a secret? The Old Testament repeatedly states the Gentiles will be brought to God by Israel. It would seem that God 5

6 concealed the truth about the Church for reasons known only to Him. We do know that God did not even include angels in on the secret. Can you believe it? God is educating the angels by means of the Church. One Bible teacher has made the comment that the Church is the University of the Cosmos and every believer is a Professor or Instructor or Teacher. Our pupils are angels and demons. By principalities and powers Paul means Spirit beings; angels and demons. Angels are created beings. They do not know and understand everything. They are limited. Peter suggests in Old Testament times the angels were curious about the plan of salvation. Note: Paul says God created all things through Jesus Christ. That God s intention was to make know the manifold wisdom of God to the church. The wisdom of God is made manifest by the church to the spirit beings. In what way? That salvation would be by grace. Does it surprise you that spirit-beings are amazed by what God has done in saving you? You are a bill-board for God s love and wisdom and power. Paul tells the Romans that the depth and riches of both God s wisdom and knowledge and judgments are unsearchable (Rom.11:33). One translation of this passage reads; So that through the church God s many sided wisdom would now be shown to the rulers and authorities in heaven (Beck). Angels are amazed that you have immediate access to God in Christ. Significant For All Christians (vv.11-13) 11according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. The origins of the church lie in the heart of God. The Father planned our salvation; the Son implemented our salvation; and the Holy Spirit empowered our salvation! Might there be pain? Yes. Might there be sorrow? Yes. But we can ask for help and we receive assurance that our prayers will be answered. Chuck Swindoll writes: To the Ephesians, Paul s being under arrest may have made the outlook seem bleak, but the uplook was clear. God had not lost sight of Paul. And he doesn t lose sight of us either. Our relationship with Him, then, can help guard us from discouragement (See Becoming a People of Grace; An Exposition of Ephesians p. 84). God entrusted these truths to Paul. Paul entrusted them to faithful men and women who would also guard them and share them. O Timothy! Keep that which is committed to thy trust (1 Timothy 6:20). At the very end of Paul s life he wrote; I have kept the faith. During those days the gospel was guarded, preached and handed down to faithful men. By grace, Paul made known God s grace to the Gentiles; by grace, Christ made Jew and Gentile one in his church; and by grace, we Christ s church, proclaim the riches of God s grace to each new generation (Swindoll ibid). 6

7 Paul reminds the Ephesians to not lose heart over his trial and tribulations for Christ. They are for the Gentiles (for you). Paul is willing to suffer for the people he loves. Paul is willing to suffer for Christ and the Church. The inexpressible glory that lies ahead for the believer that no matter how great the suffering it is worth the reward. We are given permission to not faint over suffering or seeing other believers suffer. This does not mean we refrain from compassion or prayer. We are given permission to accept suffering, to bear suffering, even martyrdom or death. Conclusion A brief look at Church history reveals that many of the basic truths found in the book of Ephesians were either overlooked or ignored. Sometimes the truths found in the Scripture were buried under man made theology, or tradition or religious ritual. The Church is not an afterthought or an amazing accident. The Church is central to history. The Church is now God s open secret. The Church will rule in the Universe along with Christ and His angels. Kingdoms come and kingdoms go. The earth will continue to produce tyrants, and dictators but in the end Jesus is Lord. The gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. The Church is central to the gospel. The book of Ephesians teach us that the complete gospel is the preaching of the gospel and the mystery of the church. It is the church that is watched by demons and angels. Let s face it when the church preaches Christ and lives Christ and demonstrates Christ the world takes notice. The Church is central to Christian living. The passage ends with Paul s mention of his suffering. Paul is willing to pay any price to see the Church go forward in God s plan (not his own). Paul saw suffering as an opportunity for the Lord Jesus to be more real in the life of the Church. How like Jesus! He suffered so that we could be reconciled to the Father. Paul saw his suffering as an opportunity to bring both Jew and Gentile together. The Church is not an option but a necessity for the believer. It is a delusion to think you can be close to God and far from the church. Richard Hooker said The church is in Christ as Eve was in Adam. Robert Short said, The church is the great lost and found department. The Mission of the Church: Guard the Gospel; Proclaim The Gospel and Disciple those who Believe The Gospel. 7