Verses 1-2 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
The Apostle Paul spent a lot of time in prisons. Some of these imprisonments are recorded in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. When in Philippi, he was arrested and beaten for casting a devil out of a woman who was making money for her handlers (Acts 16:16-18). When in Rome, he was beaten by a Jewish mob and taken prisoner by Roman soldiers who prevented him from being killed by the Jews (Acts 21:30-32). He was in prison for two years in Caeserea as recorded in Acts 24:26-27 and testified of Jesus Christ to Governor Felix and his visiting guests. Then he was under arrest while in Rome waiting to present his case to Caesar. The Apostle Paul spent at least five years of his ministry under arrest and in custody.
Verses 3-5 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
The Greek word translated as “mystery” is “musterion” and it means hidden thing, secret, or not obvious to the understanding. For centuries, the Jews believed that their God was exclusive to their race. A Gentile had to convert to the Jewish lifestyle and religion to be a part of the “chosen people”. Through the coming of Jesus and through His teachings, His death, burial and resurrection, access to the LORD was now open to all mankind, not just the Jews, Jewish converts, and their priests. No Jewish or Levitical priesthood was necessary to intercede between people and God, and the Gentiles did not have to convert to Judaism. This was a new concept and the Jews did not like it, did not agree with it, and still do not accept it to this day. They still believe that all non-Jews are on the same level of importance with/as cattle. They still believe that they are the only ones who practice the correct religion and the only ones qualified to run this world for their god until their messiah comes. The Apostle Paul would have had this same attitude until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and became His servant. Then this access by Gentiles to the things of God was revealed to him and he began to preach this truth. Hence, he was hated by the Jews and persecuted continuously. This “mystery” was written about by the prophets, but it was not understood until the time of the LORD Jesus Christ.
Note: The Jews have always been a “mixed multitude” and have never kept a pure genetic line. So Jews really cannot claim they are Jews by race or because of genetics as they have had people from various nations convert to Judaism and become part of the genetic pool. Biblical examples of this are the Egyptians who went with the children of Israel out of Egypt and who traveled to the promised land, the harlot Rahab from Jericho, and Ruth the Moabitess who was in the genetic line to King David as recorded in the book of Matthew. The books of Psalms, Hebrews, and James all speak of Rahab.
Verse 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Verse 6 above explains what the mystery was: that all people could be part of the plan of salvation and claim all of the promises of God and eternal life in Heaven. The Greek word translated as “fellowheirs” is “sugkleronomos” and it means one who obtains something assigned to himself with others, or a joint participant. So the Gentiles have equal standing with the Jews regarding the Word of God and are entitled to the whole counsel of the Bible or Gospel and all of its promises. Gentiles are no longer subject to the Jews in order to understand Scripture, but can read it for themselves and have it interpreted by the Holy Ghost/Spirit that dwells within them. Since the majority of Jews have rejected their Messiah, Jesus Christ, they do not have the indwelling of His Spirit and therefore fail to understand Scripture and fail to bother to read the New Testament writings directed to the Church. They are not in the spiritual kingdom of God, but the Gentile believer is in the spiritual kingdom of God. Hence the division between Jew and Gentile and the centuries of Jewish attempts to destroy Christianity. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” Colossians 3:11
Verses 7-8 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
The Apostle Paul has rightly been labeled the apostle to the Gentiles. However, he always began preaching in the synagogues of the towns he passed through, and usually he was threatened and thrown out of these Jewish gathering places, so he then preached to the non-Jews in the community. The Greek word translated as “minister” is “diakonos” and it means one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master. Notice that Paul credits his ministry to God and to His grace and power. He takes no credit for it, but rightly gives the glory to the LORD. The Apostle Paul also remained humble in his ministry and did not consider himself to be more talented, more successful, or more effectual than others who were sharing the Gospel.
Verses 9-12 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
The Apostle Paul wanted to preach the Gospel so that all men could have an understanding of the New Covenant or agreement that was put in place through the LORD Jesus Christ. Up to the time of the ministry of Jesus, the Jewish religion was all that there was for the Israelites. The Temple system dated back to the days of Moses and the release of the Hebrew people from Egyptian slavery. It had slowly been adulterated with paganism and Babylonian witchcraft, but it was the norm. Other false religions based on idolatry and devil worship abounded and always had at least since the days of Nimrod, and just as many of today’s churches calling themselves Christian are presenting a different Jesus and a different Gospel, so the religion of the Jews at the time of Jesus’ ministry was presenting a different law, doctrines of men, and a different messiah. So the coming of Jesus did away with the old system, the synagogue and the Temple, and ushered in the new, the Church, which united/unites all people into one faith with one LORD. This was the mystery that had been hid. Why was this plan of God this way? Only God knows for sure. But as a result of the coming of Jesus, all people can be part of His family and inherit eternal life in Heaven, and they do not have to convert to the old system or relocate to Israel.
Application: It appears to this writer that verse 10 above is saying that the principalities (commonly thought to be the angels and demons) and the powers (those who have the power of authority, influence and privilege, or those who have jurisdiction), through and by or because of the Church, now know the wisdom of God. The Church is the revelation and proof of God’s hidden plan coming to fruition. No one, either mortal or spirit, can plead ignorance. The Church has power and authority here on Earth to fulfill the plan of God, which is to preach the truth of the Gospel to every creature and to make disciples of those who will listen and then heed the call of the LORD Jesus Christ to walk by faith and by the direction of the Holy Ghost/Spirit.
Verses 13-16 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of 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 by his Spirit in the inner man;
The Greek word translated as “faint” is “ekkakeo” and it means to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, to be exhausted. These Ephesian believers were aware of the Apostle Paul’s situation. Apparently, they were being affected negatively by his plight. Right now, in the United States of America, a well known Christian evangelist, Torben Sondergaard, has been arrested on false charges, held in a prison, and denied bail. He is from Denmark and fled that country to avoid being arrested for preaching the truth of the Gospel, and he was seeking asylum due to political persecution. After living in and traveling in various states doing the will and work of God, he was accused of smuggling guns across the Mexican border. He had gone to Mexico with a group of people to present the Gospel message. This accusation was totally groundless, but in jail he sits at this very moment. The gun smuggling charges have been dropped, but now he is a security threat, whatever that means. He was invited to meet officials and was under the impression it was to talk about his request for asylum. Instead it was to get him to come to their offices voluntarily where he could easily be arrested. From the Christian believer’s perspective, this action by U.S. agencies is very disturbing and the believer can be made to fear the big arm of government. But Torben has “bowed” his knees “unto the father of our Lord Jesus Christ” and is living the book of Acts in his prison cell. God is getting the glory and the prison inmates are getting the Gospel and getting healed, both physically and spiritually. Torben’s ministry is called The Last Reformation and can be found on the internet.
Verses 17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Without faith, there can be no salvation from sin, death and Hell. The Greek word translated as “faith” is “pistis” and it means a conviction of the truth of anything, or belief. For the Christian believer, faith is the conviction or belief that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah through whom eternal salvation and the kingdom of God is obtained.
This writer has never comprehended the extent of the love of Christ. The Greek word translated as “breadth” is “platos” and it suggests a great extent. Can it be possible while living in this body of flesh with limited mental capacity for any believer to really know the extent of Jesus’ love towards His people? You decide. The Apostle Paul’s use of terms that are measurements in meaning implies that the love extended towards mankind is not necessarily measurable, but that it is huge and unlimited. Therefore, His children who are striving to be like Him, should likewise extent unlimited love to others.
Verses 20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3)
Application: Christian believers tend to limit God. It is difficult to understand the extent of His power and the extent of His love for His people. The Apostle Paul states that His power that is working in each believer is able to do much more that we think is possible. The Christian believer just needs to exercise faith and have great expectations.