Ephesians 3:1-4 (WEL) For this reason, I, Paul, am the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles. 2 For surely you have heard of the managerial responsibility regarding God’s grace, which was given to me for you. 3 How he made the mystery known to me by revelation, as I’ve briefly written to you before. 4 About which, when you read, may you consider my understanding of the mystery about the Christ.
Chapter summary:
Joseph Benson: “In this chapter, further to recommend the gospel to the regard of these Gentile converts, the apostle,
(1) Strongly expresses the sense he had of the divine goodness, in committing it to his trust, though he was called to sacrifice his liberty in its defense, Ephesians 3:1-12.
(2) He represents the earnestness with which he prayed for their establishment in Christianity, as the most important blessing which he could possibly desire for them, Ephesians 3:13-21.”
V1 For this reason, I, Paul, am the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.
This sentence and thought resumes in verse 14. Paul is in prison. Reason? Because he preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. Are we willing to go to prison for preaching Jesus’s Gospel? Everywhere Christians are, we must be ready to share the Gospel.
V2 For surely you have heard of the managerial responsibility regarding God’s grace, which was given to me for you.
The Greek word for managerial responsibility is G3622. οἰκονομία oikonomia, which means management, administration for running the operation smoothly and successfully as the owner wishes. The owner of the church is the Lord Jesus. Paul has been given the responsibility to teach, manage, discipline, make decisions, etc. according to the rules and regulations given by the Lord Jesus.
V3 How he made the mystery known to me by revelation, as I’ve briefly written to you before.
Mystery in the New Testament refers to things mentioned in the Old Testament that are hard to understand until fulfilled in the New Testament. Paul, as an Apostle, directly received doctrine, rules, regulations, decisions, discipline, etc.
V4 About which, when you read, may you consider my understanding of the mystery about the Christ.
Since the Lord Jesus directly made known to Paul these things necessary to start and build the church.
Bible Knowledge Commentary: “The Ephesian Christians would be able to understand his insight (synesin; cf. Colossians 1:9; Colossians 2:2) into the mystery of Christ (cf. Colossians 1:27; Colossians 2:2) by reading what he had “already written.” Paul’s next words (Ephesians 3:5-6) would further enhance their understanding of it. His “insight” was not his own discovery; it was revealed by God.”
We learn:
- Paul’s responsibilities to the Lord Jesus.
- Paul’s instructions that he received from the Lord Jesus.
Questions:
- Do you recognize the authority of the New Testament in its plain, normal sense?
- Do you read and study the Bible daily?