Ephesians 3:1–21 (ESV)
The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
A Few Words On The Epistle To The Ephesians Chapter Three
Dear friends, gathered here today in the presence of our Lord, let us turn our hearts and minds to the words of the Apostle Paul, as he writes to the Ephesians. Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ, speaks to us from a place not of confinement, but of divine revelation and grace.
Paul begins by reminding us of the mystery revealed to him by God—a mystery that was hidden in ages past but is now made known through the Spirit. This mystery, dear friends, is the inclusion of the Gentiles as fellow heirs, partakers in the promise of Christ through the Gospel. What a glorious truth this is! That we, too, are embraced in the arms of God’s salvation.
Now, Paul was no ordinary man. He was a vessel chosen by God, blessed with a dispensation of grace, to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. He did not boast in himself, for he considered himself less than the least of all saints. It was this humility, this recognition of his own smallness in the face of God’s greatness, that allowed him to be a powerful minister of the Gospel.
Paul’s words remind us that true education of the ministry is not found in books alone, but in the gift of God’s grace working within us. It is an experience, a revelation that transforms us from the inside out. Just as the sun engraves its glory upon the earth, so does God’s love imprint itself upon our hearts.
In the midst of his tribulations, Paul found glory. He saw beyond his chains to the eternal purpose of God in Christ Jesus. And he encourages us not to faint at our own trials, for they are but stepping stones to glory. Our losses become gains, our griefs turn into sacraments of love.
Finally, Paul bows his knees in prayer, asking that we be strengthened by the Spirit, that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. He desires for us to comprehend the vastness of God’s love—a love that surpasses knowledge and fills us with the fullness of God.
Oh, what a prayer this is! A prayer that lifts us from our earthly struggles into the heavenly realms. Let us be inspired by Paul’s example, to live lives rooted and grounded in love, ever reaching for the heights of God’s wisdom and grace.
So, dear friends, as we go forth from this place, let us carry with us the mystery of grace and the power of faith, knowing that our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. To Him be glory in the church, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
May these words encourage and uplift you in your walk with Christ.
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