I. Studies in Ephesians, Part 5

STUDIES IN EPHESIANS,

PART 5Dr. Ronald C. Hill, Sr. August 1, 2012 @ 7:30pm August 4, 2012 @ 9:00am

I. Studies in Ephesians, Part 5

Ephesians 3:1

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus

Christ for you Gentiles

A. The phrase “For this cause” looks back to what Paul had just been saying about the place of privilege into which believing Gentiles are brought as a result of their union with Christ

1. Although Paul was in a Roman prison he did not see himself as a prisoner of Rome. Paul claimed to be a prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles.

2. Paul understood his imprisonment came

about because he was doing the work of God.

We too must come to understand that we will

suffer at the hands of the unbelievers when we do the true work of God.

We also must take the position that when we suffer; it is suffering with the Lord on the

behalf of others.

Ephesians 3:2If ye have heard of the

dispensation of the grace of God which is given me

to you-ward

B. Now Paul breaks his train of thought and began to talk about the dispensation of the grace of God. In this verse “dispensation” refers to a stewardship.

A steward is one who is appointed to

administer the affairs of someone else.

Ephesians 3:3How that by revelation

he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote

afore in few words

C. Paul had not learned the mystery from anyone

else, nor had he discovered it through his

own intelligence.

The mystery (secret) was made known to Paul by direct revelation of the

Holy Spirit. Paul knew it was a blessing to be able to comprehend the mystery.

Paul also stated that he had already briefly written about the mystery. He

wrote about it in Ephesians 1:9-14 and 22, 23 and also

Ephesians 2:11-22.

Ephesians 3:4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

D. What he had already written on the subject was

sufficient to demonstrate to his readers that he had a

God-given insight into the mystery of Christ.

Ephesians 3:5Which 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

E. People who lived in the other ages before

Pentecost (the birth of the church) had a great deal of knowledge about God and

His grace.

However, that knowledge was not as all-embracing as the revelation that we

receive in Christ Jesus.

This truth has now been revealed by the Holy Spirit to God’s holy

apostles and prophets of the New Testament.

Ephesians 3:6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers

of his promise in Christ by the gospel

F. Now we come to the central truth of the mystery,

mainly, that in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, believing

Gentiles are fellow heirs with the Jews and they enjoy equal

title and privileges.

Ephesians 3:7Whereof I was made a

minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

G. The word translated “minister”

here means “servant”.

The word “minister” is misleading in the church today

because when we think of a minister, we most often, than

not think of a pastor or preacher. It never really meant

that in the New Testament.

The basic meaning of the word minister is “servant”.

Paul simply meant he served the Lord in

connection with the mystery of Christ.

Ephesians 3:8Unto 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

H. Paul was not expressing false humility when he called himself less than the least of all saints. He was truly humble because he previously had persecuted Christ’ church.

Paul also had a true self-estimate of who

he was because he was filled with the Holy

Spirit.

When a person sees Christ in the glory of

His spirit he will realize his own sinfulness and

uselessness.

1. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles as Peter was to the Jews. Paul’s ministry

was two-fold; it concerned the gospel, and it

concerned the church.

2. The first function of his ministry was to preach

among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of

Christ.

Ephesians 3:9And 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

I. The second part of Paul’s ministry was to make all see

what is “the administration of the mystery”. In other words he wanted them to know how to “walk it out” here on earth.

Paul’s ministry was to enlighten all men and

women and make plain to them the plan for their lives now that they have

salvation.

Ephesians 3:10To the intent that now unto

the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be

known by the church the manifold wisdom of God

J. One of God’s present purposes in connection with the mystery is to reveal His manifold wisdom to the angelic hosts of heaven.

From heaven the angels are compelled to admire

God’s unsearchable judgments and marvel at

His ways that are past finding out.

1. The angels see how God has sent heaven’s best for

earth’s worst.

They see how God has redeemed His enemies at enormous cost. They see how He has blessed them with all spiritual blessings

in the heavenlies.

2. The angels see that through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross more glory has come

to God and more blessing has come to believing Jews and

Gentiles than if sin had never been allowed to enter.

God has been vindicated; Christ has been exalted; satan has been defeated; and the church has been enthroned in Christ to

share in His glory.

Ephesians 3:11According to the

eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ

Jesus our Lord

K. Before the world was made, God knew satan would

fall and man would follow him into sin. God had

already prepared a counter-strategy, a master plan.

This plan has been worked out in the incarnation, death,

resurrection, ascension, and glorification of

Christ.

1. Now God can save ungodly Jews and Gentiles, make them

members of the Body of Christ, conform them to the image of His son, and honor them in a

unique way as the bride of the Lamb throughout eternity.

Ephesians 3:12In whom we have

boldness and access with confidence by the

faith of him.

L. Because of what Christ did for us on the cross we have

the wonderful privilege of going into God’s presence at

any time, in full confidence of being received and heard by

God.

We also can have the confidence of

receiving a wise and loving answer.

1. And it is all through faith in Him, that is, our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:13Wherefore I desire that

ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

M. Paul did not want them to faint or become despondent because of what he was suffering

on their behalf.

Paul wanted them to glory in what he was going

through because he counted it an honor to endure

tribulation in carrying out his mission to the Gentiles.

1. Paul wanted them to rejoice because of the

benefits they would enjoy because of his tribulations.