- Ephesians 3:1-6 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.
- Ephesians 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles –
- Ephesians 3:2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you…..
Paul is saying here that he was administered with (or tasked with), the duty of delivering the gospel to the Gentiles. God chose him to be the apostle for the Gentiles, and Paul faithfully obeyed and carried out that which He was chosen to do, even though the consequences were not favorable (beatings, imprisonment, and later execution).
- Ephesians 3:3-5 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.
In the days before Christ and the New Testament apostles, this mystery (of God’s grace being extended to the Gentiles) was not known. Paul says that it was through his studying of the Scriptures, that God (through the Holy Spirit), revealed what was once hidden.
- Ephesians 3:6 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.
Herein lies the mystery: The Gentiles are:
- Heirs together with Israel (the Jews)
- Members together of one body (Jews and Gentiles make up the body of Christ)
- Co-heirs of God’s promise
This is a really big deal! There is no favoritism, or exclusion in God’s kingdom. Every person in this world, regardless of race, color, or creed, is included in God’s invitation to become part of the body of Christ, and co-heirs of an eternal inheritance. Paul was desperate to relay this truth to the Gentiles, many of whom would have found his message to be quite incredulous, yet it is just as true for those who believed way back then, as it is for those of us who believe today.
Now that the mystery has been revealed, it is up to each person as they receive this knowledge, to do with it as they please. Paul did his part in delivering it; how will you choose to respond to it?