Ephesians

Sunday, 14 August 2016

…which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: Ephesians 3:5

The word “which” is referring to the “mystery” of verses 3 & 4. This mystery is the work of God in Christ for Jew and Gentile which Paul has been speaking of and which he will continue to explain. This mystery was not made known “in other ages.” God has worked through “dispensations” or “ages” in order to effect His redemptive purposes for fallen man. In the previous ages, there was one line of people specially chosen to lead humanity to the Messiah.

However, rather than focusing solely on that one line, he notes that this mystery was unknown to all. This is understood by his words that it “was not made known to the sons of men. This term, “sons of men,” is speaking of all of those born into the stream of humanity. Jesus is often called the Son of man, thus declaring that He is truly and fully human. Paul uses the term this way to then make a distinction between the general stock of humanity and those chosen for a particular purpose. All born into humanity are sons of men, but some sons of men have been granted particular abilities. This is seen in the next clause.

The words “as it has now been revealed,” mean that what was an unknown mystery has now become known by the means of revelation. Paul didn’t say that in the past ages the mystery “had not been revealed.” Instead, he said that it “was not made known.” The mystery does not come about by mere logic or mental training. Instead, it only came about through revelation “by the Spirit.” In the book of John, Christ spoke of how the Spirit testified of Him. First, in John 5 He said –

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39

Then, in John 15 He said –

“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” John 15:26

The first was speaking of the Spirit-inspired Old Testament. The second speaks of the coming Spirit-inspired New Testament. The Old Testament certainly gives types and shadows and even hints as to what was coming, but it could not have been understood without the further revelation of the Spirit in the New. And this revelation of the Spirit was “to His holy apostles and prophets.”

The word “holy” is given in contrast to “the sons of men.” Only those chosen by God and granted this special revelation could then turn and reveal it to the world for an understanding of what God has done. This shows that those “holy apostles and prophets” were granted this insight at a particular point in time and for a particular purpose; to reveal the Word of God to the world. They proclaimed the word; the word was recorded, which is now our New Testament; and then the revelation stopped. In the pages of the Bible, we have all the information necessary for our life and practice as Christians. No further revelation is required. Nor should more revelation be anticipated.

Life application: Beware of those who say, “The Lord has given me a prophetic word.” Unless he repeats and then explains a passage of Scripture, he is to be shunned. God has revealed His will to us in the pages of the Holy Bible.

Lord God, You have revealed Your will to us in the pages of Scripture. The revelation we need in order to conduct our lives as faithful and doctrinally sound Christians is found there. What more do we need to rightly conduct our lives in Your presence? Grant us the heart and desire to pursue this magnificent treasure. Help us never to look for more “revelation” from those who claim to be prophets and apostles. Your word is written and it is sufficient. Thank You for Your perfect word. Amen.

Saturday, 13 August 2016

…by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), Ephesians 3:4

The Greek words “by which” indicate what he has already written. This is more evident when the previous verse is taken together with this one –

“…how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, ⁴ by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),”

Paul has been writing concerning the revelation by which Christ made known to him the mystery. In reading this, he says that he expects his reader would understand his “knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” Again, the word mystery is used in the sense of something which was previously hidden, but which is now made known through God’s special revelation. Paul was the one chosen to receive the unveiling of this mystery. Once received, he has then shared it with those to whom he was sent, meaning the Gentiles.

He did this both verbally as he travelled, and in writing as well, in order to support the message he had proclaimed. We are the continued recipients of those writings as they are included in the pages of Scripture. The mystery of Christ is now open and available to be read and understood by any who will pay heed.

For Jews who reject the New Testament, they believe that they alone are the recipients of God’s word, both in writing and in the application of it to themselves as a people. For those who accept the New Testament, but diminish the importance of, and twist the meaning of, Paul’s epistles, the mystery is not properly understood. Thus, the grace of Christ is often missed, and there tends to be a reinsertion of the Old Testament laws into their theology. Both of these are heretical concepts.

Paul’s reception of the revelation of this mystery is what opens up the truth of the church age to the people of the world. Jew and Gentile alike equally share in the finished work of Christ. Their inclusion into this body is solely an act of grace, and it comes only by faith in what He has done.

Life application: A thorough study of Paul’s words, and then the application of them to our Christian walk, is expected of every believer. They are an integral part of what God has done through Jesus Christ. Without them, there is only confused theology and an improper walk, a walk which is not of faith in Christ’s finished work.

Lord God, when Jesus said, “It is finished” on the cross of Calvary, it took the greatest burden of all off of our shoulders. Our futile attempts at pleasing You have been set aside. Now faith in what He has done is our means of access to restoration and eternal fellowship with You! Help us never to diminish the work of our Savior by reinserting precepts from a law which could save no one. Help us to trust in the work of Jesus alone. With this, we know You will be pleased. Amen!

Friday, 12 August 2016

…how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, Ephesians 3:3

The words of this verse note the way that Paul learned of the “dispensation” he mentioned in the previous verse. It was “by revelation.” The words are emphatic in the Greek. It was not by man’s wisdom that this was made known, nor could it have been discerneded by man. Rather, it was a “mystery.”

As noted in Ephesians 1:9, the word mystery carries with it more than what we would think of as a mere mystery that can’t be known. Although it does imply that which was unknown, it also means that which has been now made known by God’s revelation. And so this mystery is that which is entirely unknowable except and unless it is revealed by God. When it is so revealed, it is a “mystery made known.”

What was unknown and unknowable to man apart from it being revealed by God, was made known through this special revelation to Paul. This is something he notes in Galatians 1 as well –

“For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:12

He finishes this verse with a parenthetical thought, “as I have briefly written already.” This is not referring to another letter which is now lost. Rather it is referring to what he has already said in this letter. The thought was introduced in Ephesians 1:9 and explained through 1:14. He then expanded on it in Chapter 2 as well. The mystery that he is referring to is not the gospel specifically. Rather, it is the fact that the Gentiles are a part of the gospel. They are now included in the rights and benefits of the commonwealth of Israel. He is the apostle who was chosen to transmit this mystery to the world and to give the epistles which govern this dispensation of time.

Life application: Without studying Paul’s epistles, the message of Christ’s work for the Gentiles will be completely misunderstood. This is why he is so maligned by Judaizers and others who want to re-insert the law into their theology. Diminishing the writings of Paul are the only option. Thus, such people diminish the word of God. They are heretics who are to be rejected. Stand on Paul’s epistles for your proper church-age doctrine.

Heavenly Father, You are so very good to us. You send the rains in their season, You give us the cool spring days and the full sun of summer. Plants know when to sprout and when to put forth their fruit – all at Your direction. How is it that we fail to do the same? Help us O Lord to be fruitful and to bear much fruit for You in this season we live. Help us to not squander the precious few moments we have to share the message of Christ… the only hope of restoration with You. Amen.

Thursday, 11 August 2016

…if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, Ephesians 3:2

To maintain context, verse 2 should be read with verse 1 –

“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— ² if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you…”

The word translated as “if” here does not imply uncertainty. Rather it is a statement of affirmation. The NIV translates this as “Surely you have heard” in order to more closely translate the thought. Charles Ellicott says that it is “a half-ironical reference to a thing not doubtful.” Understanding this correctly, Paul’s words of verse 1 fall into their proper place. He noted that he was “the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles.” His position as a prisoner does not affect “the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to” him.

He was selected as the Apostle to the Gentiles and his position was being fulfilled through the circumstances which occurred to him, even being a “prisoner of Christ Jesus.” The words “which was given to me” are not referring to “the dispensation,” but to “the grace of God.” The word “dispensation” will begin to be described in verse 3. As grace is being described here, a question arises as to what this grace is referring to. Is it the grace of being granted his apostleship, or is it the grace of God for salvation which is found in the gospel message?

Although scholars are divided on this, what seems most likely is that he is speaking of the grace bestowed upon him for his apostleship. First, the context of his words are that he is a prisoner for Christ. Secondly, he uses the same idea in Romans 1, and elsewhere, to define his apostleship –

“Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, ⁶ among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;” Romans 1:5, 6

Paul understood that his calling was solely of grace and it had been given to him for the purpose of bringing the message of the gospel to the Gentile people of the world. It is this message which is found in the “dispensation” which formed the time his apostolic office. The word “dispensation” is the Greek word oikonomia. It gives the idea of the management of the affairs of a household. Paul had just been speaking of the “household of God” in the last verses of the previous chapter. The adding of the Gentiles at this time in history (meaning the period which we consider the “Gentile-led church age”) is the dispensation which Paul is referring to now.

As noted above, this dispensation will be described more fully in the coming verses.

Life application: It is very wise to not be captivated by a single translation of the Bible. If one is, they will inevitably come to erroneous conclusions about what is being said in the original languages. Be wise, study and show yourself approved, and don’t get swayed into a “one version only” belief.

Lord God, thank you for the many different translations of the Bible which are available, including the original languages. When reading several versions, we can often get a fuller understanding of what the intent of the original is. And more, we have the writings of wise scholars, learned in the original tongues, who can provide even more valuable insights into the true reading of Your word. What a blessed time we live in! It is all available at our fingertips if we just take advantage of it. Thank You for such marvelous access into Your very heart and mind. Thank You for Your precious word! Amen.

Wednesday, 10 August 2016

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—Ephesians 3:1

The words, “For this reason” take us back to the previous chapter which highlighted, in particular, the bringing in of the Gentiles to the commonwealth of Israel. It being a spiritual entity means that we now share in the same benefits of that of Israel, without having replaced Israel. God is working on building a household out of both Jew and Gentile in which He will dwell. It is “For this reason” that Paul begins his next line of thought.

In the coming chapter, but especially in verses 1-13, Paul is going to meticulously weave two thoughts into one. These thoughts will be built upon the preeminent thought of the previous chapter, that of Gentiles being grafted into the commonwealth of Israel. The first thought is an explanation of this new concept of the bringing in of the Gentiles. The second thought is the result of the first, which is Paul’s selection as the “Apostle to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13) to both reveal this mystery and to provide instructions concerning it.

The reason why verse 13 is selected as the end of the insert of this two-pronged discourse is that it says, “For this reason, I Paul…” in verse 1, and then it says, “For this reason I bow my knees…” in verse 14. Because of this, it seems that the insert thought runs especially from verse 2 to verse 13.

After stating His name, thus designating the identity of the one whose task will now be explained, he further identifies himself as “the prisoner of Christ Jesus.” This is a phrase he will repeat of himself in several other epistles. It shows the length that Paul was willing to go through for the sake of the gospel, even unto imprisonment. It further shows that the gospel is not chained, even if he is. In essence, the chains of Paul reveal the will of Christ for Paul. As a prisoner, Christ is able to use him to show that His gospel can overcome any such obstacle. This truth has been borne out countless times in history since then, and it continues to be borne out in the world today.

It is to be noted that there is an article in front of “Christ Jesus” in the Greek. It says “the Christ Jesus.” Paul is showing that there is one Christ, or Messiah, and that He is found in the Person of Jesus, and in Him alone. He is the Christ who was promised at the beginning and it is He who is revealed in the message which Paul now proclaims to the Gentiles.

Finally, Paul notes that he is Christ’s prisoner “for you Gentiles.” The very purpose of his imprisonment, as well as all of Paul’s sufferings, was to make the gospel known outside of the Jewish people. It was the Jews that pursued Paul from place to place. As they did, the message spread. It was often the Jews who brought Paul before the leaders of whatever area he was in. When they did, the gospel message spread. And at times, Paul was imprisoned because of the words and accusations of his own countrymen. And when this occurred, the gospel spread. The wisdom of how God transmitted the gospel, both then and now, is especially evident in such cases. Where there was a supposed triumph over the message, it turned out to be a victory for its continued spread.

The chains of Paul are a way of showing empathy for his audience as they struggled with their own conversions. They may have lost friends, jobs, or even family over their receiving of Christ, but Paul was with them in spirit. He was also subjected to such difficulties, and yet he was able to spiritually overcome them. Thus, his words were intended to show them that they could too.

Life application: If you want proper church-age doctrine, stick to the words of Paul. Everything else is written for our learning and edification as well, but Paul’s letters are especially directed to the Gentile-led church age. They are our “marching orders” during this dispensation of time.

Lord God, thank You for the marvelous words which You have revealed in the pages of the Bible – that Gentiles have been brought near to God through the shed blood of Christ. Whereas we were once far off from You, we are now close. Whereas there was once enmity between us, there is now a propitious relationship. Thank You that we can call on You and know that our words are heard. Thank You for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.