Ephesians 3

Greetings,

Chapter 3 of Ephesians is the last chapter of the first section of Ephesians (which is split in half by many commentators). In the midst of a prayer for spiritual strength for the letter's recipients, Paul goes into a deep explanation of the mystery of Christ.

The memory passage is:
Ephesians 3:6,16,19 (ESV)
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.
¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

The outline theme is The Mystery and Strength in Him.
While verse 1 seems to refer back to the new standing of Jews and Gentiles on an equal plane, Paul quickly diverges into an explanation about the mystery of the Gospel. This unlocking of this mystery was made known to Paul through a revelation (Gal 1:11-12) which gave him insight and ability to teach the mystery of Christ.

Verse 6 holds the key to this section (and is thus in the memory passage). Here Paul basically says 'this is the concise definition of the mystery'; the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise. This is possible through the work of Christ that we preach in the Gospel. They (we) are heirs to the same inheritance, are adopted into the same body, and are now recipients of the promised Messiah.

Paul's ministry, however humbly he describes it, is to preach this mystery to the Gentiles. The same grace that was given to him in abundance, from the unsearchable riches of Christ, is to overflow to the Gentiles. Through the church, the wisdom of God will be evident to everyone; human and spiritual. This is the fulfillment of the plan that God realized in Christ.

Verse 12 just caught me. When I did the study, I passed by it quickly because it is self-explanatory. But just now it grabbed my attention. In Christ we have boldness (for the Gospel) and access (to the Father) with confidence (not fear) through our faith in Him. Where would we be without the work of Christ?

After the long parenthetical discourse on the mystery, Paul continues his prayer for the Ephesians. He prays to God, the only 'un-derived' Father (from no one) that He would strengthen them, according to the riches of His glory, with His power and through His Spirit so that it reaches our inner-most being.

How? May Christ dwell in your hearts as you are rooted and grounded in His love that is wider and longer and higher and deeper than we can comprehend. And be filled more and more with the fullness of God; which, in us, is the increase of His character and decrease of our flesh.

While vv 20-21 are used frequently as a benediction, the words ring with truth and poetic beauty. "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen." Amen.

How does this affect my worship?
Going back to verse 12, the key to a true encounter with God in worship is access. Without access to His throne and His ear, we are simply offering up wishes; hoping He might hear us. But the Spirit of Christ is in us, and therefore we can cry out 'Abba, Father' and run to His arms. Our adoption into God's family is more than just a position, it's a relationship. And it is in this relationship that we can truly worship.

How does this affect my discipleship?
Preach, bring to light, make known, minister; these are all words that Paul uses to describe his ministry of the Gospel. As we walk, relationally and intentionally, with others in co-apprenticeship to Christ, all of these ministries come to bear. There are times of teaching and times of learning; times of shedding light and times of receiving light; times to give grace and to receive grace. But, as Christ modeled, this happens in the context of relationships. While Paul's ministry to me is this letter, his ministry to the people around him was his life.

To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus,

Ethan