Eph 3:1-13, Stewardship & Mysteries

Ephesians 3:1–2 (ESV) — 1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,


• Incidentally, this is another long sentence that runs from verse 2 through verse 13
• For what reason?
• The reason seems to be to tell Gentiles, who believe, that they are fellow citizens and fellow members of God's household
• To tell them (the church) of their glorious future
• What is unusual about Paul's description of his status?
• Paul is a prisoner of Jesus, not of the Romans
• Paul is a prisoner, not because of some legal trespass, but for the sake (good) of the Gentiles
• Greek word for administration is oikonomia.  It is translated administration or dispensation.  It specifically means a "religious" economy
• Paul calls his ministry, the dispensation of God's grace.  This is one of the key verses for Dispensational theology.  Those who hold to dispensational theology argue that there are seven dispensations.  Each dispensation God administers his economy, his rule, his authority, and his program in a different way.  Salvation is always by faith in God.  And salvation is always by grace accomplished through Christ' work on the cross
1. The dispensation of innocence or freedom (Adam & Eve)
2. The dispensation of conscience or self-determination (up to the flood)
3. The dispensation of civil government (Noah up to Abraham)
4. The dispensation of promise or patriarchal rule (Patriarchs)
5. The dispensation of law (Israel)
6. The dispensation of grace (Church)
7. The dispensation of kingdom or millennium (Rule of Christ)
• Each dispensation is characterized by some chief spokesman, man's responsibility, man's test, man's failure, man's judgment, and God's display of grace
• "God's principles do not change, but His methods of dealing with mankind do change over the course of history." (Wiersbe)
• So when Paul says, "surely you have heard," we recognize two things
• One, since he did know them, after a previous work was started, he must be referring to his work afterwards -- which confirms his calling
• Two, there is something specific to which he is referring.  It seems to be more than just a ministry and so does seem to support the contention of dispensationalists


Ephesians 3:3–6 (ESV) — 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 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.


• Now we come to one of the best definitions of the word mystery, and a very specific and plain description of one mystery.  What is a mystery?
• Something revealed now that has not been fully revealed to prior generations
• Revealed to the apostles and prophets (notice the order of the words again)
• As discussed last week, these prophets are not OT prophets
• Last week, we argued on the basis of the order of the words, and that the foundation of the church is built upon the NT (NOT THE OT LAW)
• This week, it is even more clear that the word prophets does not refer to the OT
• Now, the fact that Gentiles would become believers is not a mystery.  What is the mystery?
1. Through the gospel (not the law)
2. Gentiles are fellow heirs
3. Gentiles and Jews are members of one body (the church is also a mystery)
4. Gentiles and Jews share together the promise in Jesus Christ
• Dispensation position is that the mystery is the church.  It is represents a hiatus in God's dealing with Israel on earth.  It is a completely new entity, not revealed in the OT
• Most covenant theologians and amillennialists see the church as God's progressive unfolding of his kingdom program on earth.  Some call the church the new Israel.  They also say the church was revealed in the OT, not by that name, but as a future stage in the earthly kingdom of God (in this way they interpret OT promises to Israel and David, as to the church, and not to Israel)
• Some argue that Christ already rules in David's stead, and in the future he will rule on earth
• He has already hinted at this mystery in 1:9 (all things under one head).  Though this mystery (1:9) seems more expansive.  There are other mysteries
• Mystery of the Kingdom
1. The Parable of the Sower
2. The Parable of the Seed Growing of Itself
3. The Parable of the Tares
4. The Parable of the Mustard Seed
5. The Parable of the Leaven
6. The Parable of the Treasure
7. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
8. The Parable of the Net
9. The Parable of the Householder
• Church Mysteries
• Seven stars and seven candles
• Rev 1:20 (NIV) The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
• Body of Christ
• Eph 3:1-12 Jews and Gentiles together
• Indwelling Holy Spirit
• Colossians 1:26–27 (ESV) — 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
• Bride of Christ
• Ephesians 5:31–32 (ESV) — 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
• Translation
• 1 Cor 15:51-52 (NIV) Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
• Israel's hardening
• Rom 11:25-26a (NIV) I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved,
• "Satanic Mysteries"
• Babylon
• Rev 17:5-6 This title was written on her forehead: // MYSTERY // BABYLON THE GREAT // THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES // AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.// 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.
• Lawlessness
• 2 Thessalonians 2:7–8 (ESV) — 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.
• Defeat of Satan
• Rev 10:7 (NIV) But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."


Ephesians 3:7–9 (ESV) — 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,


• The Greek word for servant is diakonos, or deacon or minister.  Emphasizes service
• Outside of the savior, Paul is the key figure in the establishment of the church on earth in all history.  And yet how does Paul see himself?
• Paul's Roman name, Paulus, is Latin for "little" or "small."  We have already noted that by another story where he is mistaken for Hermes
• He is not referring to his size here but his worthiness
• It is a very unusual expression, "a comparative of the superlative" (Martin, Thayer)
• Common term in poetry but regarded as faulty in prose.  Constable translates it literally, "the leaster"
• NT:1647 elachistoteros, less than the least, lower than the lowest (Thayer)
• Put in your words, what is Paul saying in verses 7-9
• "I have no idea why God chose me.  I am so undeserving.  There are far greater men than me.  They are more spiritual, more godly, more everything.  I did so much that was wrong.  But for some reason, grace, God used me as his instrument of change to carry the message of this mystery to a new generation of people"


Ephesians 3:10–13 (ESV) — 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.


• The church is a mixture of groups that don't normally fit together.  The world has struggled with diversity, but the church, the true church, has from the beginning exemplified diversity
• "The church as a multi-racial, multi-cultural community is like a beautiful tapestry. Its members come from a wide range of colourful backgrounds. No other human community resembles it. Its diversity and harmony are unique." (Stott)
• What are God's purposes?
• The church is an example to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms
• The Jews' rejection of their Messiah resulted in the postponement (from the human viewpoint) of the messianic (Davidic) kingdom and the beginning of the church. (Constable, 2010)
• Why might the Ephesians be discouraged?
• The key person for their faith was arrested
• Possibly persecution was increasing
• Possibly there was a hostile reaction to the message of the gospel as it expanded
• APPLICATION: It is easy to see history today and become discouraged.  But God's purposes will not be thwarted.  From a human perspective, and even a Christian human perspective, we really can't tell what God is doing.  But we do have a promise and a future hope that is based on God's word!