Last updated on January 14th, 2019 at 07:48 pm

Commentary: I had a little trouble following how Pastor Jay got to “Blessed Blesser blessed blessed blessings” out of Ephesians 1:3 in last Sunday’s message, and I am not going to try to “unpack” Ephesians that far, but will continue to try to evolve to pulling out the main themes that Paul’s letter to the Ephesians has for us, today.

Ephesians 3 New International Version (NIV)

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.

This section reveals that we are to be “joint heirs” not only with Christ but also with Israel (and all other believers), members of one body. Verses 2 – 6 mention “mystery” 3 times (and once more in verse 9.) I have finally learned when something is mentioned several times, it is something we should really focus on.

1. What is the mystery that Paul is talking about here?
2. In being the messenger and interpreter of this mystery, Paul has a very significant role in getting out the message. Who is our interpreter today?
3. Can we be interpreters for others?

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

So, God set up the original pyramid scheme, except that instead of taking money (grace) from the original investors (believers) to give to the later investors (new believers), God’s grace never runs out.

1. Why does Paul say, in verse 8, that he was less than the least of all the Lord’s people? Is it because of his former persecution of the new Christians?
2. We, too, are given the responsibility to share this mystery (the Great Commission). For whose glory have you been suffering? What for did that suffering take?
3. What tools did Paul have to share God’s message as one of the first missionaries?
4. Remember the question, “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer being, “one bite at a time.” Isn’t this an example of how we, as God’s family should evangelize the world, one life at a time.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a]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, forever and ever! Amen.

Some of the most powerful, reassuring words in the bible are written in the last few verses, “…how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” I wonder how to conceive of “all the fullness of God?”

1. Does the passage in verse 15, “From whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name” simply mean that he created us all and is our heavenly Father? What other implications does or could it have?
2. The sheer wonder of who God is and what He has done for us is so beautifully said in verse 20, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine … to Him be the glory … forever and ever! Amen.” Do you ask yourself often enough how and why he could love us that much?