Note: The verses from Ephesians are in italics, my explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures in bold italics.
God has an Amazing Plan for the Gentiles!
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
In his opening statement to this chapter, Paul refers to himself as the prisoner of Christ. Here the Greek word for prisoner is ‘desmios’ and it signifies a binding of someone so that they are unable to escape.
So what Paul is saying is that he is bound (a prisoner) to Christ of his own choice (when he became born again), just as a prisoner is bound, so that he cannot escape from his calling in Christ Jesus. His calling is for the purpose of preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. This is God’s plan for his (Paul’s) life in order to bring glory to Jesus and salvation to the Gentiles! Hence, he says in finishing off verse one, “for the sake of you Gentiles”! As the Word is living and active, he means the Gentiles throughout the ages because Jesus never changes, He is always the same!
Paul says a similar thing to this in Romans 1:1 where he calls himself a slave to Christ. Here the Greek word for slave is ‘doulos’ and its expanded meaning is a bond-slave or bondservant. In the time of Paul, a slave or a bondservant was completely owned by his master who paid a price for him – the owner bought him as a possession and he had every right by the law of the time to do what he liked with the slave.
In other words, he is telling us that he has no rights of his own, he completely belongs to Jesus, he is His slave, he is sold-out to Him in love and dedication. This is how each of us needs to view ourselves as born again Christians. This attitude of the born again believer brings glory, honour and praise to Jesus – it is an act ow total worship to the only name that is worthy of glory, honour and praise – the Name of Jesus!
We are not our own! We belong to Jesus, and we relinquish to him every area of our lives so that we can live our lives in accordance with the will of the Father – I say again, we are not our own! Because Jesus paid the price, death on the cross, for our sins it is no longer we that live but Christ that lives in us! We a purchased by the blood of Jesus!
In this way we receive the full blessings of God and our hope and assurance of salvation – everlasting life in Christ Jesus! But for those that do not accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and do not believe in him, it is everlasting death (total separation from God) in hell for eternity!
When we become truly born again, it is no longer we that live but Christ who lives in us!
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
In verses 2 and 3 above Paul reveals to us that the administration or dispensation or stewardship or the special responsibility of God’s grace was given to him to preach to the Gentiles (you and I) the gospel of salvation in Christ Jesus!
In verses 4-6 above Paul says that once we have read this letter (the Epistle to the Ephesians) we will only then be able to understand the insight he has into the mystery of Christ which was given to him and the other apostles by Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
This mystery was not made known in the Old Testament but has only now been revealed after the death and resurrection of Christ. This mystery is that through the gospel (the Good News) the Gentiles become co-heirs with Israel (the Jews) and the two now become members of one body (the Church) and share in the promise of salvation and everlasting life in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
In verse 7-9 above Paul also refers to himself as a servant of the gospel. The Greek word for servant here is ‘diakonos’ (pron: dee-ak-on-os) and means a servant or minister (of the gospel). Which is what we as his Church should be today – both individually and as a body! From this Greek word we get the English word deacon which is used in the Church today – only deaconship (not the office of Deacon) is not just for some believers but is for all believers as we are all servants of Christ!
Paul humbly (Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people) reminds the Church that he was given the authority and dispensation to preach the gospel - the endless riches of Christ - to the Gentiles by God’s grace!
To the Church today, the endless riches of Christ are taught in the writings of both the New Testament and the Old for Jesus is the Word in its entirety. But because Jesus fulfilled the law, we are no longer bound by the law but are heirs of the new covenant of salvation and everlasting life in Christ Jesus!
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
In verses 10-13 above Paul explains to us that God’s intent in all of this is the revealing of the mystery Christ to the Church – the true born again believers in Jesus.
In verse 10 the Greek word for manifold is ‘polupoikilos’ (Pron: pol-oo-poy'-kil-os) and its full meaning is ‘the many and diverse or multitudinous manifestations’ of God’s wisdom. So, this means that it is through His Church (including us today) that the wisdom of God will be made known to the rulers and authorities in the spiritual realms, that is primarily Satan and his cohorts and those humans that serve evil. This is a reminder to the enemies of God that Jesus is above all things and that his death on the cross and subsequent resurrection by the Holy Spirit has defeated the works of the evil one! In Christ Jesus we have the victory.
Scripture tells us quite clearly that if we are not for Him then we are against him and if we are against him, we become pawns of the devil and his cohorts and participants in his evilness!
It is only in Christ Jesus that we, his born again believers, can approach God (in prayer and relationship) with complete freedom and confidence. Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death and through him we are reconciled to God – God sees us as sinless as He looks at us through His son Jesus, the only spotless one, who washed away our sins on the cross at Calvary! Amen!
A Prayer for the Ephesians and a Prayer for Christ's Church Today.
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
In verses 14-21 we see the true heart of love and caring that Paul has (and is burdened with) for the Church in his closing prayer. This is such a selfless and wonderfully humble prayer that there is nothing that I could give any measure of increase to, spiritual or otherwise, and needs no further explanation from me.
But what I do ask, Dear Readers, is that you pray, with heartfelt sincerity in your love for Jesus, this prayer for the Church congregation that you belong to and for His true Church across the world today.
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!
God has an Amazing Plan for the Gentiles!
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
In his opening statement to this chapter, Paul refers to himself as the prisoner of Christ. Here the Greek word for prisoner is ‘desmios’ and it signifies a binding of someone so that they are unable to escape.
So what Paul is saying is that he is bound (a prisoner) to Christ of his own choice (when he became born again), just as a prisoner is bound, so that he cannot escape from his calling in Christ Jesus. His calling is for the purpose of preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. This is God’s plan for his (Paul’s) life in order to bring glory to Jesus and salvation to the Gentiles! Hence, he says in finishing off verse one, “for the sake of you Gentiles”! As the Word is living and active, he means the Gentiles throughout the ages because Jesus never changes, He is always the same!
Hebrews 4:12 (AMP)
For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 13:8 (AMP)
Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever.
Paul says a similar thing to this in Romans 1:1 where he calls himself a slave to Christ. Here the Greek word for slave is ‘doulos’ and its expanded meaning is a bond-slave or bondservant. In the time of Paul, a slave or a bondservant was completely owned by his master who paid a price for him – the owner bought him as a possession and he had every right by the law of the time to do what he liked with the slave.
In other words, he is telling us that he has no rights of his own, he completely belongs to Jesus, he is His slave, he is sold-out to Him in love and dedication. This is how each of us needs to view ourselves as born again Christians. This attitude of the born again believer brings glory, honour and praise to Jesus – it is an act ow total worship to the only name that is worthy of glory, honour and praise – the Name of Jesus!
We are not our own! We belong to Jesus, and we relinquish to him every area of our lives so that we can live our lives in accordance with the will of the Father – I say again, we are not our own! Because Jesus paid the price, death on the cross, for our sins it is no longer we that live but Christ that lives in us! We a purchased by the blood of Jesus!
In this way we receive the full blessings of God and our hope and assurance of salvation – everlasting life in Christ Jesus! But for those that do not accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and do not believe in him, it is everlasting death (total separation from God) in hell for eternity!
When we become truly born again, it is no longer we that live but Christ who lives in us!
Romans 1:1 (AMP)
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative), set apart for [preaching] the gospel of God [the good news of salvation],
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Galatians 2:20 (AMP)
I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Galatians 3:13-14 (AMP)
3 Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs [crucified] on a tree (cross)”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith.
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
In verses 2 and 3 above Paul reveals to us that the administration or dispensation or stewardship or the special responsibility of God’s grace was given to him to preach to the Gentiles (you and I) the gospel of salvation in Christ Jesus!
Acts 13:47-48 (NIV)
47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
Acts 22:21 (NIV)
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 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.
This mystery was not made known in the Old Testament but has only now been revealed after the death and resurrection of Christ. This mystery is that through the gospel (the Good News) the Gentiles become co-heirs with Israel (the Jews) and the two now become members of one body (the Church) and share in the promise of salvation and everlasting life in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
In verse 7-9 above Paul also refers to himself as a servant of the gospel. The Greek word for servant here is ‘diakonos’ (pron: dee-ak-on-os) and means a servant or minister (of the gospel). Which is what we as his Church should be today – both individually and as a body! From this Greek word we get the English word deacon which is used in the Church today – only deaconship (not the office of Deacon) is not just for some believers but is for all believers as we are all servants of Christ!
Paul humbly (Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people) reminds the Church that he was given the authority and dispensation to preach the gospel - the endless riches of Christ - to the Gentiles by God’s grace!
To the Church today, the endless riches of Christ are taught in the writings of both the New Testament and the Old for Jesus is the Word in its entirety. But because Jesus fulfilled the law, we are no longer bound by the law but are heirs of the new covenant of salvation and everlasting life in Christ Jesus!
John 1:1-5 (AMP)
1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. 4 In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].
John 1:14 (AMP)
And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception).
Romans 8:1-4 (NIV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
In verses 10-13 above Paul explains to us that God’s intent in all of this is the revealing of the mystery Christ to the Church – the true born again believers in Jesus.
In verse 10 the Greek word for manifold is ‘polupoikilos’ (Pron: pol-oo-poy'-kil-os) and its full meaning is ‘the many and diverse or multitudinous manifestations’ of God’s wisdom. So, this means that it is through His Church (including us today) that the wisdom of God will be made known to the rulers and authorities in the spiritual realms, that is primarily Satan and his cohorts and those humans that serve evil. This is a reminder to the enemies of God that Jesus is above all things and that his death on the cross and subsequent resurrection by the Holy Spirit has defeated the works of the evil one! In Christ Jesus we have the victory.
Scripture tells us quite clearly that if we are not for Him then we are against him and if we are against him, we become pawns of the devil and his cohorts and participants in his evilness!
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:21-23 (KJV)
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Matthew 12:30 (AMP)
He who is not with Me [once and for all on My side] is against Me; and he who does not [unequivocally] gather with Me scatters.
It is only in Christ Jesus that we, his born again believers, can approach God (in prayer and relationship) with complete freedom and confidence. Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death and through him we are reconciled to God – God sees us as sinless as He looks at us through His son Jesus, the only spotless one, who washed away our sins on the cross at Calvary! Amen!
Romans 5:9-11 (AMP)
9 Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]. 11 Not only that, but we also rejoice in God [rejoicing in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received and enjoy our reconciliation [with God].
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (AMP)
18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
A Prayer for the Ephesians and a Prayer for Christ's Church Today.
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
In verses 14-21 we see the true heart of love and caring that Paul has (and is burdened with) for the Church in his closing prayer. This is such a selfless and wonderfully humble prayer that there is nothing that I could give any measure of increase to, spiritual or otherwise, and needs no further explanation from me.
But what I do ask, Dear Readers, is that you pray, with heartfelt sincerity in your love for Jesus, this prayer for the Church congregation that you belong to and for His true Church across the world today.
2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
To Jesus belongs all glory honour and praise!
Jesus the Name above all names!
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!
Amen brother Ray, might the Lord keep on blessings you, It is great how you are able to see new insights on Eph 3.
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