Ephesians 3:5-9 (WEL) Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, 6 That the Gentiles are fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ through the Gospel. 7 For which, I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace given to me according to the mighty working of his power. 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 And to enlighten everyone to see what the mystery is, which from the beginning of the world has been hidden by God, who created everything through Jesus Christ.
V5 Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit,
Other ages refers to the times and years before the Lord Jesus’s birth. How to be right with God, forgiveness of sins, and a home in heaven (Hebrews 11:10) were known, but the details of how and why were clouded, mysterious until Jesus came, explained it, taught it, and lived it. Then, Paul and the other Apostles of Jesus Christ explained it further and in more detail from revelation they received from God.
V6 That the Gentiles are fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ through the Gospel.
Gentiles officially have the same opportunity, salvation, forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, heavenly home, and all spiritual blessings as ethnic Jews had previously. Before Jesus all these benefits and blessings were enjoyed by Gentiles if they converted to Judaism.
The church is not Israel, nor has the church (believers) inherited the blessings and promises of ethnic Israel. To believe so is to imply God is a liar. Some of these promises are 1) physical real estate in the Middle East (Genesis 15:18 and Genesis 17:8), 2) punishment for sin even a dissolution of the nation, but not all of ethnic Israel, 3) a return to their promised land (Ezekiel 36:24-37:14), and many others.
God does not forget His promises to Israel (Leviticus 26:42 and Psalm 105:8).
V7 For which, I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace given to me according to the mighty working of his power.
When one is called by God to serve in some special ministry, He will give all that is necessary to serve. What is required after commissioning is obedience.
Paul was called and commissioned to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s grace being authenticated by miracles.
V8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Paul’s modesty is motivated by his memories of persecuting the church of God (Acts 8:3). The unsearchable riches of Christ refers to the amount as well as the number and lavishness of His blessings.
V9 And to enlighten everyone to see what the mystery is, which from the beginning of the world has been hidden by God, who created everything through Jesus Christ.
A mystery is something revealed in the Old Testament but not understood completely until the ministry of Jesus Christ and His Apostles.
God wants this information known and preached. It was hidden earlier because it pleased God the Father to reveal the greatness of Jesus Christ, His Son. So, the revealing of this mystery was first by the Lord Jesus in order for Jesus to have the glory due Him.
Jesus Christ was and is the creator. He is the one in Genesis 1 and the one walking in the Garden of Eden calling for Adam.
We learn:
- The Apostles and prophets of the first century and approved by the Apostles of Jesus Christ were inspired to deliver further teachings concerning God’s ways and beliefs.
- Paul was commissioned by Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel to Gentiles.
Questions:
- Do you accept the Bible as God’s revelation of Himself and His ways?
- Do you accept the words of the Bible as inspired in their plain, normal sense?