Introduction to Paul's Letter to the Ephesians
with Dr. Wilfred Graves Jr.
EPHESIANS NOTES, COMMENTARY, AND REVIEW QUESTIONS
(Ephesians 3 - The Mystery, Mission, and Ministry of the Church)
Survey
The third chapter of Paul's Letter to the Ephesians has two main sections. The first section speaks of the "mystery" of Christ revealed (3:1-13). The mystery is the unfolding of the full purposes of God in Christ revealed to us in the proclamation of the gospel. A significant aspect of this proclamation is that Jewish and Gentile Christians are fellow-heirs to God's inheritance, joint-members of the one Body of Christ, and fellow-partakers of the promise of Christ in the gospel (3:1-6). And now this mystery is being revealed through the Church, even as Paul has revealed it to the Church; the Church is like a mirror in which the principalities and powers see the glory of God (3:7-13).
The second section of this chapter is a personal prayer for the Ephesian Church (3:14-21). Paul prays for his readers to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit (3:14-16). He also prays for Christ to dwell in their hearts through faith (3:17a). Thirdly, he prays that they will root and ground their lives in love (3:17b). Although the love of Christ is far too great to describe adequately or understand completely, Paul does want his readers to experience this awesome love with ever-increasing capacity until the whole Church is filled with all the fullness of God's life and power (3:18-19). Paul concludes the chapter by reminding his readers that God's unlimited power is at work in them; the glory of God resides both in Christ and in his Church (3:20-21).
CENTRAL VERSES - EPHESIANS 3:17-19
NKJV - 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Commentary on Selected Verses
Verse 1. Paul's reference to himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ is not a complaint, but an exclamation of joy.
Verse 2. Paul has been given a special responsibility with regard to the evangelization of the Gentile world. That God has included the Gentiles in his household (oikos) is a special demonstration of his grace.
Verse 3. Paul is about to elaborate on the mystery that he first mentioned in 1:9-10. He wants to make sure that his readers understand that his elaboration on the mystery is based on revelation from God rather than coming from some other source.
Verses 4-6. The mystery that was once hidden is that Gentiles have been incorporated along with the Jews into the people of God. It was always God's intent to create one community, one family, one household (i.e., a unified Body of Christ).
Verse 7. Paul was no self-appointed apostle. His apostleship was a gift of God that gave him authority to expound upon the mystery (see 1:1, 9-10). Yet, anything that Paul accomplished was "through the working of [God's] power." He was simply God's servant (minister).
Verse 8-10. Paul characterizes himself as "less than the least of all God's people." It was only through God's grace that he was given the responsibility to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and to reveal the Church's cosmic role in unfolding the mystery of God. The role of the Church is to make known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms the manifold wisdom of God. Once this role is completed, then God's purpose to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under the Headship of Christ will have been accomplished.
Verse 11. In this verse, Paul expresses his philosophy of history. Jesus Christ is the agent through whom God accomplishes his purposes. (1) He is the Christ (Messiah or "Anointed One"). (2) He is Jesus (This describes his full humanity). (3) He is Lord and has been exalted to the right hand of the Father.
Verse 12. Finally, Paul gives a practical application of all that he has said about Christ. Paul reminds his readers that Christ gives them full access to the Father. Therefore, God's children can approach him with freedom (literally, boldness) and confidence.
Verse 13. This verse presents an abrupt shift in Paul's thought. He wants to comfort those who have become disheartened over his imprisonment. He states that his sufferings are for the glory (doxa) of the Gentiles. In other words, all that Paul is going through is for the benefit of the Gentiles.
Verses 14-15. Kneeling in prayer is a sign of humility that also indicates submission to God and urgency.
Verses 16-17. The strength that God gives to his people is according to his glorious riches, so there is no limit to his ability to provide it. Furthermore, the strengthening takes place by means of the power of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit within the hearts of believers means that Christ dwells in them because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9ff.).
Verse 18. The real test of spiritual maturity is whether one is rooted and grounded in love. Paul describes love in four dimensions: width, length, height, and depth. Humans live in only three spatial dimensions (length, width, and height). That Paul refers to four dimensions means that he does not have the human words to describe the love of Christ.
Verse 19. Paul admits that the love of Christ is indescribable in this verse. The love of Christ is infinitely more wonderful than we can imagine. The fullness (plērōma) mentioned is the full indwelling of God in his Church.
Verses 20-21. Paul concludes the section with a doxology. He recognizes the fact that his well-meaning requests fall short of all that God is able to do. The power of God's Spirit is unlimited, a fact which evokes praise. Paul ends his doctrinal section by reminding his readers that the glory of God is both in Christ Jesus and in his Church. This is a reminder of the Church's vital union with Christ.
Review Questions
Answering the following questions will help you to understand the third chapter of Ephesians and to clearly articulate some of its major themes.
- What is the mystery that was once hidden?
- Describe the three-fold nature of the mystery.
- In which verse does Paul express his philosophy of history?
- What are the three things for which Paul prays in verses 16 and 17?
- What is a doxology? Which verses of chapter 3 are best described by this term?
- Write out your own personal prayer based on Paul's prayer in 3:14-21.