Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
EPHESIANS 3
God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
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. 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.
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. 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.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
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.
Application Notes
3:1 Paul was under house arrest in Rome for preaching about Christ. The religious leaders in Jerusalem, who felt threatened by Christ's teachings and didn't believe he was the Messiah. pressured the Romans to arrest Paul and bring him to trial for treason and for causing rebellion among the Jews. Paul had appealed for his case to be heard by the emperor, and he was awaiting trial (see Acts 28:16-31). Even though he was under arrest, Paul maintained his firm belief that God was in control of all history, including all that happened to him. Do circumstances make you wonder if God has lost control of this world? Like Paul, remember that no matter what happens. God directs the world's affairs, and he carefully watches over you.
3:2-3 "The administration of God's grace" means the special stewardship, trust, or commitment that Paul had been given. He had been assigned the special work of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. God had shown this great plan to Paul in a revelation (see Acts 26:15-18) and had given Paul the grace and authority to fulfil it (Ephesians 3:9).
3:5-6 God had not revealed his plan to previous generations. He was not simply withholding something from his people, but he intended to reveal it to everyone when the timing was perfect. God planned to have Jews and Gentiles form one body, the church. The Old Testament revealed that the Gentiles would receive salvation (Isaiah 49:6), but it did not reveal that all Gentile and Jewish believers would share equally in the community of believers, the body of Christ. Yet this equality was accomplished when Jesus destroyed the "dividing wall of hostility" and created ·one new humanity· (Ephesians 2:14-15).
3:7 When Paul became his servant, God gave him the ability to share the gospel of Christ effectively. You are not an apostle, and you may not be a professional evangelist, but God will give you opportunities to tell others about Christ. With the opportunities he will also provide the ability, courage, and power you need. Make yourself available to God as his servant whenever an opportunity to tell others about him presents itself. As you focus on another person and his or her needs, God will communicate his love through your caring attitude and actions. Filled with God's Spirit, your words will be natural, loving, and compelling.
3:8 When Paul described himself as "less than the least of all the Lord's people," he meant that without God's help, he would never be able to do God's work. Yet God had chosen him to share the amazing treasure of the gospel with the Gentiles and had given him the power to do it. If we feel that our roles are minor, we may be right--except that we have forgotten what a difference God makes. How does God want to use you? Draw on his power, do your part, and faithfully perform the special role God has called you to play in his plan.
3:10 The phrase "rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms" refers both to the angels who are witnesses to God's unfolding plan through Jesus Christ (see 1 Peter 1:12) and to the hostile spiritual forces opposed to God (Ephesians 2:2; 6:12).
3:12 We have the awesome privilege of being able to approach God with freedom and confidence. Most of us would be apprehensive in the presence of a powerful ruler.· But thanks to Christ, by faith we can enter directly into God's presence through prayer (see 2:18; Hebrews 4:16). We know we will be welcomed with open arms because we are God's children through our union with Christ. Don't be afraid of God. Talk with him about everything. He wants to hear from you.
3:13 Why should Paul's suffering make the Ephesians feel honoured (which is what is meant by "which are your glory")? If Paul had not preached the gospel, he would not be in jail--but then the Ephesians would not have heard the Good News and come to Jesus either. Just as a mother endures the pain of childbirth in order to bring new life into the world, Paul endured the pain of persecution in order to bring new believers to Christ. We should feel honoured that others have suffered and sacrificed for us so that we might reap the benefits. Obeying Christ is not always easy. He calls you to take up your cross and follow him (Matthew 16:24) so that God's message of salvation can reach the entire world. This may require that you have to suffer adversity, whether physically, emotionally, or in some other way. But he will be with you at every step.
3:14-15 The family of God includes all who have believed in him in the past, all who believe in him in the present, and all who will believe in him in the future. We are all a family because we have the same Father. He is the source of all creation, the rightful owner of everything, and he has all power at his disposal. God promises his love and power to his family, the church (3:16-21). If we want to receive his blessing of this inner strength, it is important that we stay in contact with other believers in the body of Christ. Those who isolate themselves from God's family and try to live their lives alone cut themselves off from much of God's power.
3:17-19 God's love is total, says Paul. It reaches every corner of our experience. God's love is wide--it covers the breadth of our own experience, and it reaches out to the whole world. God's love is long--it extends throughout our lives and into eternity. God's love is high--it rises to the heights of our celebration and elation. God's love is deep--it reaches to the depths of discouragement, despair, and even death. When you feel shut out or isolated, remember that you can never be lost to God's love. (For more of Paul's reflection on God's immeasurable and inexhaustible love, see his words in Romans 8:38-39.)
3:19 God's love finds complete expression only in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10). In union with Christ and through his empowering Spirit, we are complete. In Christ, we lack nothing, have nothing to lose, and have nothing to fear. We have all the fullness of God available to us. But we must claim that fullness by living in touch with the Holy Spirit through faith and prayer each day. Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is also for you. You can ask the Holy Spirit to fill every aspect of your life to the fullest and know that he will answer.
3:20-21 This doxology--a prayer of praise to God--ends part one of Ephesians. In the first section, Paul describes the timeless role of the church. In part two (Ephesians 4-6), he explains how church members should live in order to bring about the unity God wants. As in most of his books, Paul first lays a doctrinal foundation and then gives practical applications of the truths he has presented.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)