"of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9and to bring to light what is the administration of the mysterywhich for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 3:7-10 (NASB)
Paul begins in verse 7 by addressing the unique nature of his apostolic calling, which is intrinsically linked to the Gentile mission (cf. Eph. 3:2; 6:20; Rom. 12:3; 15:15-16; 1 Cor. 3:10; 15:10; Gal. 2:9; Col. 1:25). The term “a minister” (diakoneo in Greek) underscores the servant-hearted nature of Paul’s ministry, as he labors in accordance with the working of God’s power rather than his own abilities (Eph. 3:7, 20; Col. 1:29). In verse 8, he calls himself “the very least of all saints”. This phrase is really meaningful; it’s like saying someone is the humblest of the humble. When the apostle Paul used this phrase, he was expressing how unworthy he felt because of how he used to live in self-righteousness and how he had persecuted the early Christian church. By admitting he was “the very least,” he was emphasizing how much he had radically changed and how deep God’s kindness is. This emphasizes how much God loves and forgives, even those who used to persecute His followers. Paul is simply amazed at how powerful God’s grace and forgiveness can be.
Paul, acknowledged his unworthiness, yet he recognizes God’s extraordinary grace bestowed upon him – the responsibility of sharing to the Gentiles the “unfathomable riches of Christ”. The word ‘unfathomable’ is very powerful when used to talk about God’s riches in Christ. This idea is seen in Romans 11:33 and the Septuagint translation of Job 5:9; 9:10. It shows that humans can’t fully understand God, and it emphasizes how divine nature is beyond human comprehension. Even though we can’t fully understand God, it’s amazing that He has chosen to show Himself to us, revealing His grace and mercy to humanity.
In the writings of Paul, the concept of “riches” is very important. In Ephesians, he talks about different aspects of God’s abundance, like His grace and glory. Specifically, in passages like Ephesians 1:7, 18; 2:4, 7; and 3:8, 16, Paul shows how God the Father is incredibly rich and connects these blessings to the Son in later chapters. This emphasizes the deity of Jesus, a recurring theme in the New Testament. He gives Jesus titles and roles that are usually given to YHWH, like “God Our Savior” and “Christ Jesus Our Savior” in Titus 1:3 and 1:4; 2:10 and 2:13; 3:4 and 3:6. The idea of ‘riches in Christ’ gives us an interesting perspective on the unlimited spiritual treasures that believers have access to. This encourages us to think about the abundance of grace, love, and redemption through Christ. This inexhaustible richness makes us feel amazed, respectful, and grateful for the deep spiritual truths it represents.
In verse 9, the phrase “to bring to light” as used in Ephesians 1:18, Acts 26:18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, and 1 Peter 2:9, doesn’t just mean to light up a space, but to reveal the Spirit’s enlightenment to darkened hearts. This is where we get the English word “photo.” Additionally, “the administration of the mystery” literally means like managing a household (oikonomia), signifying the handling of “the mystery.” The concept of mystery in the Bible is crucial, representing truths concealed until disclosed by God. This recurring theme underscores the significance of divine revelation and spiritual understanding, emphasizing God’s detailed redemptive plan for fallen man, His power, and wisdom, and His never-ending love for man created in His image. This mystery, which is “the church,” refers to the universal body of believers (believing Jews and believing Gentiles), destined to manifest the manifold wisdom of God before the heavenly powers (Eph. 3:10-11; Col. 1:27).
In verse 10, Paul highlights God’s eternal purpose of making known the manifold wisdom of God through the church; emphasizing the role of the church in manifesting God’s wisdom to the heavenly authorities1. This points to the overarching spiritual reality and the cosmic battle in which the church is intricately involved. It highlights the spiritual warfare and the exalted position of believers in Christ as they engage war with the angelic hierarchy (Eph. 6:12; Col. 2:15). This unveiling exposes the intricacies of the church and its dynamic role within the divine narrative.
Believers today can learn a lot from Paul’s passionate writings about being chosen as an apostle and the amazing grace of God. Paul humbly admits he is not worthy and emphasizes how God’s forgiveness has a profound impact. This is a strong reminder of how deep God’s love and mercy are, regardless of past mistakes. It brings great comfort and hope to those who feel inadequate. Paul also talks about the “unsearchable riches of Christ,” showing there are endless spiritual treasures available to believers. He urges them to think about the abundance of grace, love, and salvation through Christ. Paul highlights the church as the expression of God’s wisdom to spiritual forces in the heavenly realms, which is still relevant today. This shows the crucial role of the church in spiritual warfare and encourages believers to see the bigger spiritual picture and their part in spiritual battles. This insight can inspire believers to understand their elevated position in Christ and actively participate in spiritual battles, with a grasp of God’s wisdom and power. In conclusion, Paul’s writings continue to offer important ideas and support for believers in their journey of faith and spiritual growth.
- see George E. Ladd’s A Theology of the New Testament, p. 401 ↩︎
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