TO BE SPECIFIC, THAT THE GENTILES ARE FELLOW HEIRS AND FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE BODY: einai (PAN) ta ethne sugkleronoma kai sussoma: (Ep 2:13-22; Romans 8:15, 16, 17; Galatians 3:26, 27, 28, 29; 4:5, 6, 7) (Ep 4:15,16; 5:30; Romans 12:4,5; 1Corinthians 12:12,27; Colossians 2:19)

Paul coins 3 words (2 of which are used no where else in the NT) to make the mystery known = The Gentiles are now...

1) Fellow Heirs (joint heirs)
2) Fellow Members of the Body (joint bodies)
3) Fellow Partakers of the Promise (joint partakers)

To be specific - added by the translators.

Are (1511) (eimi) explains the content of the Spirit's revelation. The contents of the mystery are a fact, not a purpose. The believing Gentiles are fellow-heirs, etc, with the believing Jews.

Scofield writes...

“That the Gentiles were to be saved was no mystery (Ro 9:24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33; 10:19, 20, 21). The mystery ‘hid in God’ was the divine purpose to make of Jew and Gentile a wholly new thing—‘the Church, which is His (Christ’s) body,’ formed by the baptism with the Holy Spirit (1Cor 12:12, 13) and in which the earthly distinction of Jew and Gentile disappears (Ep 2:!4, 15-note, Col 3:10, 11-note). The revelation of this mystery, which was foretold but not explained by Christ (Mt. 16:18), was committed to Paul. In his writings alone we find the doctrine, position, walk, and destiny of the Church.” (Scofield Study Bible)

Gentiles (1484) (ethnos) refers to non-Jews or the heathen and when preceded by the definite article ("the") in Greek, means "the nations" which is synonymous with the Gentiles  a description implying those who practice idolatry and are ignorant of the true and living God. Remember that all of mankind can be divided into the general groups of Jew and Gentile. It follows that "Gentile" is a synonym for anyone who is non-Jew and is not one of the "chosen people". The Hebrew word for the Gentiles is goyim. From Genesis 12 onward the majority of the Scriptures are about the Jews, with the Gentiles mentioned as they interface with the Jews.

Ethnos - 162 times in NT - Matt. 4:15; 6:32; 10:5, 18; 12:18, 21; 20:19, 25; 21:43; 24:7, 9, 14; 25:32; 28:19; Mk. 10:33, 42; 11:17; 13:8, 10; Lk. 2:32; 7:5; 12:30; 18:32; 21:10, 24f; 22:25; 23:2; 24:47; Jn. 11:48, 50ff; 18:35; Acts 2:5; 4:25, 27; 7:7, 45; 8:9; 9:15; 10:22, 35, 45; 11:1, 18; 13:19, 46ff; 14:2, 5, 16, 27; 15:3, 7, 12, 14, 17, 19, 23; 17:26; 18:6; 21:11, 19, 21, 25; 22:21; 24:2, 10, 17; 26:4, 17, 20, 23; 28:19, 28; Rom. 1:5, 13; 2:14, 24; 3:29; 4:17f; 9:24, 30; 10:19; 11:11ff, 25; 15:9ff, 16, 18, 27; 16:4, 26; 1 Co. 1:23; 5:1; 12:2; 2 Co. 11:26; Gal. 1:16; 2:2, 8f, 12, 14f; 3:8, 14; Eph. 2:11; 3:1, 6, 8; 4:17; Col. 1:27; 1 Thess. 2:16; 4:5; 1 Tim. 2:7; 3:16; 2 Tim. 4:17; 1 Pet. 2:9, 12; 4:3; Rev. 2:26; 5:9; 7:9; 10:11; 11:2, 9, 18; 12:5; 13:7; 14:6, 8; 15:3f; 16:19; 17:15; 18:3, 23; 19:15; 20:3, 8; 21:24, 26; 22:2

It is important to note that the Old Testament clearly states that God will save the Gentiles through Israel, but nowhere does it state that both Jews and Gentiles will form "one new man", both in one body, the church, the body of Christ. This mystery was revealed by the Spirit to Paul and other leaders in the early church but it was a truth that was difficult for Jews to accept.

The Importance of the Preposition
"Sun" in Ephesians

In each of the three descriptions of this "new race" which are no longer Jew and no longer Gentile but are now "one new man" Paul utilizes words that all begin with the same prefix "sun" a preposition that means "with". Sun however  differs from "meta", the other Greek preposition meaning "with", in that the former describes a more intimate relationship. Here is Wayne Barber's illustrative explanation of the difference...

Ephesians is "rich" in combination words beginning with "sun". Clearly Paul is emphasizing to his Greek reading audience a profound sense of unity that now exist in believers (see the 2 uses that have a negative connotation). Here is a list of the "sun--" words, composed of verbs and nouns...

Ephesians 2:5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with (suzoopoieo = sun + zoopoieo = make alive - Colossians 2:13) Christ (by grace you have been saved)

Ephesians 2:6 and raised us up with (sunegeiro = sun + egeiro = to raise) Him, and seated us with (sugkathizo = sun + kathizo = to set or sit down - Colossians 2:12; 3:1) Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with  (sumpolites = sun + polítes = a citizen) the saints, and are of God's household,

Ephesians 2:21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together  (sunarmologeo = sun + harmologéo = join together - Ephesians 4:16)  is growing into a holy temple in the Lord

Ephesians 2:22 in whom you also are being built together (sunoikodomeo = sun + oikodomeo = to build) into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs (sugkleronomos = sun + kleronómos = heir, sharer by lot)  and fellow members of the body (sussomos = sun + soma = body), and fellow partakers (summetochos = sun + metochos = a partaker, participant, sharer - Ephesians 5:7)  of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

Ephesians 4:3  being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond (sundesmos = sun + déo = bind = literally means "bound together" - Colossians 2:19; 3:14) of peace.

Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, being fitted (sunarmologeo = sun + harmologéo = join together)  and held together (sumbibazo = sun + bibazo = to make to go up) by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Ephesians 5:7 Therefore do not be partakers with (summetochos = sun + metochos = a partaker, participant, sharer)  them;

Ephesians 5:11 And do not participate (sugkoinoneo = sun + koinoneo = to partake)  in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them

Sun- can also be written "syn-" and is an important prefix to many familiar English words - synagogue, synergy, synonym, synoptic, synchronous, syncretism, symphony, sympathy, symmetry, etc)

Fellow heirs (4789) (sugkleronomos from sun = with, together, implying a closer relationship, intimacy or union + kleronomos = heir, sharer by lot, a possessor) is a joint heir, one who participates in the same lot. Sugkleronomos speaks of receiving possessions along with another OR OF inheriting together with. Heirs as used by Paul describes one who obtains something assigned to himself with others and the focus is upon receiving an unearned gift. In the biblical sense ‘heirs of God’ are those who receive the blessings that God has for His people.

Even in the OT (cf Genesis 12:3) God had included Gentiles in the sphere of salvation, but heretofore it was never on an equal footing with Jewish believers. Now God has revealed that the Gentiles are to  share equally with saved Jews as heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus Christ (Ro 8:17), and fellow heirs with all the redeemed. The two have become one new man in Christ.

Kleronomos signifies more than one who inherits, or obtains a portion, it means to take into possession.

Sugkleronomos is used of , Heb 11:9; of husband and wife who are also united in Christ, 1Pe 3:7; here in Ephesians of Gentiles who believe, as participants in the gospel with Jews who believe,  and of all believers as prospective participants with Christ in His glory, as recompense for their participation in His sufferings, Ro 8:17.

In Galatians Paul alludes to the equality and heirship of Gentiles writing that...

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:28-29)

Fellow (joint) heirs is used 4 times in the NT...

Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 8:17and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. (note)

Hebrews 11:9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac (Ge 26:3, 4) and Jacob (Ge 28:3, 4, 48:3, 4), fellow heirs of the same promise;10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Comment: Isaac and Jacob are co-participants in the promises God initiated with Abraham)

1Peter 3:7 You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (note) (Comment: Peter describes believing husbands and wives as united in Christ)

Fellow members of the body (4954) (sussomos from sun = with, together, implying a closer relationship, intimacy or union + soma = body, used figuratively here of the Church) refers literally to a joint body and figuratively to fellow-members of the Christian community. It describes a a "co-member" or one who is a member of a group, with emphasis upon the coordinate relation to other members of the group.

The best commentary on this unique word which appears to have been coined by Paul what he had just explained in Ephesians 2 writing...

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. (See notes Ephesians 2:13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18)

As Wayne Barber says...

 Gentiles are not in the body because of the courtesy of the Jews. The Jews didn’t stop and say, "Well, okay guys, we will let you in." They had nothing to do with it. The Jews are not in by the courtesy of the Gentiles. Both of them are in solely by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have been allowed in. (Ephesians 3:1-9 God's Divine Mystery - 2)

The Gentiles are at no distance or disadvantage now, but share a position of equality with saved Jews. Both groups are united in one body as members of the "Mystical Body of Christ", the Church, which corporately is a new man, a new creation, in which the line of separation (the barrier of the dividing wall)  between Jew and Gentile has been broken down

In Jesus Christ we are made fellow members of one body, and all the middle walls that separate us are removed. This has been demonstrated clearly again and again when people of different backgrounds and cultures and classes, different outlooks, different races, have come together in Christ and found that all the differences which once seemed to be so tremendous are reduced to nothing, and they are able to overleap them and be healed in their fellowship together.

S Lewis Johnson had some enlightening comments on this section writing that what...

we have today in the church of Jesus Christ is something new. Now, the church is not the mystery, but it’s the relationship of the Jew and Gentile within the church that is the secret. It was not a secret in the Scriptures that the Gentiles would be saved. Now the Apostles had difficulty with this. Do you remember who had difficulty? Well, Peter had difficulty. Remember, when he had the vision, he was looking out, fell asleep, had the vision of the sheep that came down from heaven and those unclean animals within it, and he was told arise and eat; he said, not so Lord, I’ve never eaten anything unclean. All of this was to prepare him for the preaching of the Gospel to Cornelius and the Gentiles. Because they had the idea, carried over from Old Testament times, where it was a proper idea, that the person who was converted through the preaching of the Gospel, in order to be related properly to the true God, he became an Israelite. He became a part of the company of Israel. Think of Ruth, for example. Ruth was a Moabitess, but because of Ruth’s experience and finally her conversion, she became an Israelite. And actually, as you know, became one in the line of our Lord Jesus Christ. There are other illustrations of that in the genealogies in Matthew chapter 1.

So when a person in the Old Testament became a believer, they identified with Israel. They became a member of that company of people. Now Peter had difficulty with that, the idea that Gentiles could be saved. That was just natural, because Israel had the revelation of God, and God had spoken to them, and he had appeared to them, and he had ministered through them, and he had difficulty with that. But finally, God overcame his difficulties, and he came to Cornelius’ house, and he preached the Gospel, and he came to Jerusalem and told them how God has been saving Gentiles.

Now there was still one other thing that they didn’t understand. And that was, not simply that whether or not Gentiles could be saved, but if they were saved, were they in the believing company on the same level with Jewish saved people? Did they have to be circumcised? And of course, that question arose in Antioch. And after a lot of disputing there, Paul and others, like Barnabas, came down to Jerusalem, and there they had some more disputation and had a lot of arguing with people standing up and citing Scripture, seeking to understand the mind of the Lord, and finally Peter stood up, and he gave what came to be ultimately, the decision of the council, and that was, God saved people by faith through grace, and that the Gentiles not only could be saved, but they were saved in the same way. “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved, even as they.”

Now Peter turned it around, because anybody who had the slightest idea that there was any advantage so far as salvation was concerned in being a Jew, didn’t understand the grace of God. So he said, you people who wonder how the Gentiles can be saved and whether they can enter the church on the same basis with us, you need to have your theology purified. We’ll send you back to theology 101 if you don’t watch out, when you get to heaven. So we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ not, “they shall be saved even as we,” but “we shall be saved, even as they,” in case there’s somebody with this lurking sense of self-righteousness. (See Acts 15:11)

So in history, they had to go through the experience of the Gentiles can be saved, and when they are saved they don’t have to become Jews. They are saved, and they stand on the same plane as the Jews. That, I think, is what he means when he says that the Gentiles in Ephesians 3:6, should be fellow heirs and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel.

You know, if you look at that in the Greek text it’s a rather interesting construction that the Apostle uses in connection with the three words. I’m going to read it out of the Greek text because the relationship of the Jews and the Gentiles is seen more plainly in the Greek text. The Apostle writes, “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and fellow members of the body and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ through the Gospel.” Now in Greek he takes three nouns and he puts the little preposition “with” with them, and coins – doesn’t coin in the sense of making up new words entirely – but rather puts these words together so that you get the overwhelming idea of the sameness of relationship between Jew and Gentile in the Church of Jesus Christ. So the Gentiles are fellow heirs, they are fellow members of the one body, they are fellow partakers of the promise in Christ by the Gospel. That’s the mystery. That’s the secret. That’s the relationship that did not exist in Old Testament times. That’s the content of the mystery.

Now notice, too, the means by which they come to these blessings is through the Gospel. Just as in the Old Testament times individuals were saved through the Gospel, so in New Testament times they are saved through the Gospel. The Gospel is not different now. The Gospel is the same Gospel that was preached in Old Testament times. It’s not the Gospel that’s changed. The results of the Gospel are different in the sense that in the Old Testament, when Jews were saved, they became a member of the theocratic company. They also were responsible to be put under the Law of Moses, and they also were responsible to submit to the sign of the covenant. But now, in this age, the law done away with, they are fellow members, fellow partakers of the promise.

Paul in Romans says, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ called to be an apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God which he had promised before by his prophets and the holy Scriptures.” So in the Old Testament we have the Gospel. In the New Testament we have the Gospel. In this age we have the secret. That was not made known in ancient times as it is revealed through Paul and the apostles and prophets of New Testament times.

And that’s a magnificent relationship we have it is not? Gentiles and Jews now brought together in one redeeming company, fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, this one new man, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ by the Gospel.

We are, Sunday morning, studying Paul’s letter to the Romans, and in Romans chapter 11 he goes into more detail concerning the fact that the natural branches were cut off, broken off, and the unnatural branches of the Gentiles were grafted in among them, that is, the faithful ones, the remnant, and have become fellow partakers of the root of the fatness of the olive tree. In other words, the Gentiles have been brought in to this one body and they have been made partakers of the blessings which are called the promise in Christ by the Gospel. What we have now in the church of Jesus Christ, then, is a group of redeemed people who are made up of Jews and Gentiles who stand on the same plane before the Lord God.

It is a new international community, too. Jews and Gentiles, all equal in Christ. They are not joined to the Jewish nation and subordinated to them in significance, but there is one new, or to use the adjective “new” in its stress, one fresh man, for that’s the idea of the Greek word kainos which is used there instead of the word neos. One fresh man. Isn’t that a magnificent thing, that we Gentiles are now members of the church of Jesus Christ, fellow partakers of the promise in Christ by the Gospel? We’re called Children of Abraham, seed of Abraham, because we possess those promises. Something remarkable and new in the unfolding of God’s program.  (Ephesians 3:1-13 The Dispensation of the Grace of God)

AND FELLOW PARTAKERS OF THE PROMISE IN CHRIST JESUS THROUGH THE GOSPEL: kai summetocha tes epaggelias en Christo Iesou dia tou euaggeliou: (Gal 3:14; 1Jn 1:3; 2:25)

Ruth Paxson tells the following story which indicates that there is a great need for a proper understanding of this foundational truth of Jew and Gentile in one body...

Just recently a decree was issued by a Christian church that hereafter no Jew could worship there because of governmental threats. A very consecrated Hebrew Christian missionary in that country who had membership in that church and often preached there, was among those ejected. He and other Christian Jews were compelled to form a Hebrew Christian church. Christian Jews not allowed to worship with Christian Gentiles as fellow-heirs, fellow-members, fellow-partakers! Not "both one," but both two. Not "both one body," but each one body. Oh! the awful shame and sin of such an act!

(To this she responds writing) Did not God put that word "remember" in Ep 2:11 (note) for such a day as this? "remember" that "in time past" you were an helpless, hopeless outcast in the deepest depths of sin. "Remember" you would still be there, as "far off" from God as any Jew you know to-day, had you not been "saved by grace." "Remember" that you were then the "alien" and the "foreigner" belonging to a pagan, unprivileged race, while the Jew belonged, and still does, to God’s chosen people, a nation privileged in God’s sight beyond all nations of the earth. "Remember" that apart from the blood of Christ you could never have been "made nigh" unto God. "Remember" that, as a Gentile, you have nothing in yourself or in your race of which to boast; and that your position as a "wild olive tree grafted into the good olive tree as a branch" is held only through faith, and not because of any personal, national or racial merit or superiority (Ro 11:11-34-note). "Remember" that God has no favorites in His family, and that both Jew and Gentile have the same access unto the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. "Remember" that, when once either Jew or Gentile has been incorporated into Christ through faith in His blood, he is a fellow-member of Christ’s Body and a "fellow citizen" with all saints. "Remember" that "we twain" are made "one new man" in Christ, and that henceforth we belong to a heavenly race that is super-racial and super-national, sharing alike both the privileges and the responsibilities of the Christian Church. O yes, ye Gentiles "remember" that your two most precious possessions, your Saviour and your Bible, came to you through the Jew; that the door to the Church was opened to you by Peter, the Jew; and that the revelation given of your equal possession of all its blessed privileges came to you through Paul, the Jew. And to any Gentile Christian who gives over all the curses to the Jew pronounced upon him in God’s Word, while he glories in all the blessings as promised to himself, even those plainly and exclusively given to the Jewish nation, "remember" the Word of God spoken centuries ago to the father of the Jews:

Genesis 12:3. "I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

And the Word of God through the Psalmist:

Psalm 122:6-note. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee."

And our Lord’s own touching word regarding "my brethren":

Mt 25:40, 45. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me... Inasmuch did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not unto me." (The Wealth, Walk and Warfare of the Christian)

Fellow partakers (4830) (summetochos from sún = with, together, implying a closer relationship, intimacy or union + metochos = a partaker or sharer as one who participates with and shares common blessings with another) means literally partaking together with one, a joint partaker of something, a sharing with (a co-sharer, co-participant).

It means to share in the possession of something, in this case "the promise in Christ Jesus".

Summetochos was used in the papyri of those who were joint possessors of a house.

Thus Gentile believers who have entered the New Covenant by faith  now share in all the gracious promises of God, except those specifically concerned with the future of Israel as a nation. In the present context the promise refers to the gift of salvation in Christ Jesus as proclaimed in the Gospel.

Paul also spoke of the promise of the Spirit associated with salvation writing to the Galatians

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"--in order that (here is one purpose for which Christ set us free from the curse) in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Gal 3:13,14)

Ray Stedman applies this truth about fellow partakers in the promise of Christ Jesus writing that...

in the mystery of the gospel, Jews and Gentiles alike are made joint partakers of the promise of the Spirit of God. The power of God is given to us to do what we otherwise could never do. Those who have learned to reckon upon this power find they are able to love and forgive when they never could have otherwise. So this gospel touches the heart of humanity's problems. (Ephesians 3:7-13: Secret Riches)

As fellow partakers or fellow sharers, it is perfectly proper for Gentile believers to claim and apply the wonderful blessings first given to the Jews in the promises found in the Psalms and Proverbs and the rest of the Old Testament (again excepting those promise made specifically to the nation of Israel, such as the land of Palestine.)

William Barclay puts these great privileges made available to Gentiles in their historical/cultural perspective writing that...

This was a completely new discovery. The basic sin of the ancient world was contempt. The Jews despised the Gentiles as worthless in the sight of God. At worst they existed only to be annihilated, “The nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste” (Isaiah 60:12). At best they existed to be the slaves of Israel; “The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Ethiopia and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you and be yours; they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over and they shall fall down unto thee” (Isaiah 45:14). To minds which could think like that it was incredible that the grace and the glory of God were for the Gentiles... in the ancient world the barriers were complete. No one had ever dreamed that God’s privileges were for all people. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press)

The promise (1860) (epaggelia from epí = upon or intensifier of meaning + aggéllo = tell, declare = to announce with certainty as to what one will do) is a declaration to do something with implication of obligation to carry out what is stated. Epaggelia was a legal term denoting promise to do or give something. It was a legally binding declaration giving one to whom it is made right to expect or claim performance of the specific act. Most often epaggelia is used to describe the promises of God. and provides firm assurance of His future action.

Epaggelia - 52 times in NT - Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:4; 2:33, 39; 7:17; 13:23, 32; 23:21; 26:6; Rom. 4:13f, 16, 20; 9:4, 8f; 15:8; 2 Co. 1:20; 7:1; Gal. 3:14, 16ff, 21f, 29; 4:23, 28; Eph. 1:13; 2:12; 3:6; 6:2; 1 Tim. 4:8; 2 Tim. 1:1; Heb. 4:1; 6:12, 15, 17; 7:6; 8:6; 9:15; 10:36; 11:9, 13, 17, 33, 39; 2 Pet. 3:4, 9; 1 Jn. 2:25

Wayne Barber explains that "fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" speaks of...

is the promise of redemption, that if a man comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, he can enter into the family of God. In Galatians chapter 3 there are several verses that discuss now we have been allowed to partake. Look at Galatians 3:13-14...

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

We have been allowed in. We have redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ. Look at Galatians 3:19...

"Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made."

The Seed was promised to Abraham, and now we are a part of all of this. Remember, He told Abraham, "through you all nations will be blessed." How can all nations be blessed through the Jewish race? Through the seed that came to them, which was the Lord Jesus Christ. We’ve been allowed in by faith in Him. Look at Galatians 3:22:

"But the Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."

There is no distinction whether they are Jew or Gentile. Now we can enter in to the promise. If we believe, we are a part of the redeemed. Look at Galatians 3:29

"And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise."

He is talking about spiritual Israel here. He is talking about the Israel that has come, by faith in Jesus Christ, into the family, into the kingdom, into the very holy Temple of God Himself. He is saying to those Gentiles in Ephesus,

"Don’t take this thing for granted. It was revealed to me and then explained to me very specifically that you are allowed in. God stopped me on the Damascus Road. He commissioned me and made me an apostle out of due season. I am preaching something to you that God revealed to me. Don’t you dare take it for granted. Gentiles, you have been allowed in. You are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus."

Do you realize what you have, what I have? We are talking about what you have in Jesus Christ. You are rich beyond measure....

Don’t ever take salvation for granted. Remember whose you are. Remember who you are. we are about to get into Ephesians 4-6. That’s not the riches...not the reasons...not the revelation. That’s the responsibilities of our salvation, and they are based on everything Paul has said in the first three chapters. If you don’t get this down pat, you’ll never understand why there is so much responsibility for Christians to live as God wants them to live. (Ephesians 3:1-9 God's Divine Mystery - 2)

In Christ Jesus - The inclusion of Gentiles in God's purposes remained mysteriously unclear under the old covenant. It became clear in Christ through the preaching of the Gospel, the good news of redemption and reconciliation of God and man and of Jew and Gentile.

William MacDonald explains that...

In the coming kingdom of our Lord, Israel will be the head of the nations (Isa. 60:12); Gentiles will be blessed, but it will be through Israel (Isa. 60:3; 61:6; Zec 8:23). The calling of Israel was primarily, though not exclusively, to temporal blessings in earthly places (Deut. 28; Amos 9:13, 14, 15). The calling of the church is primarily to spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Eph. 1:3-note). Israel was called to be God’s chosen earthly people. The church is called to be the heavenly Bride of Christ (Rev 21:2-note, Rev 21:9-note). Israel will be blessed under the rule of Christ in the Millennium (Hos. 3:5); the church will reign with Him over the entire universe, sharing His glory (Eph. 1:22, 23-note). Therefore it should be clear that the church is not the same as Israel or the kingdom. It is a new society, a unique fellowship, and the most privileged body of believers we read about in the Bible. The church came into being after Christ ascended and the Holy Spirit was given (Acts 2). It was formed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 12:13). And it will be completed at the Rapture, when all who belong to Christ will be taken home to heaven (1Th 4:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18-note; 1Cor. 15:23, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)

Gospel (2098) (euaggelion from eú = good + aggéllo = proclaim, tell) is literally good message and was in common use in first century indicating good news of any kind. A common question must have been “Have you any good news (euaggelion) for me today?”

Euaggelion - 76 times in NT - Matt. 4:23; 9:35; 24:14; 26:13; Mk. 1:1, 14f; 8:35; 10:29; 13:10; 14:9; 16:15; Acts 15:7; 20:24; Rom. 1:1, 9, 16; 2:16; 10:16; 11:28; 15:16, 19; 16:25; 1 Co. 4:15; 9:12, 14, 18, 23; 15:1; 2 Co. 2:12; 4:3f; 8:18; 9:13; 10:14; 11:4, 7; Gal. 1:6f, 11; 2:2, 5, 7, 14; Eph. 1:13; 3:6; 6:15, 19; Phil. 1:5, 7, 12, 16, 27; 2:22; 4:3, 15; Col. 1:5, 23; 1 Thess. 1:5; 2:2, 4, 8f; 3:2; 2 Thess. 1:8; 2:14; 1 Tim. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:8, 10; 2:8; Philemon 1:13; 1 Pet. 4:17; Rev. 14:6

As in the OT so among the Greeks, euaggelion was used for the proclamation of news of victory and the death or capture of the enemy! Ponder this in terms of our enemies!. Often the news was sent in a letter, but also came from the field of battle by ship, by horse, or a swift runner, who proclaims to the anxiously awaiting city the victory of the army, and the death or capture of the enemy.

Others uses of euaggelion included being gladdened by the birth of a son, by news of an approaching wedding, or of the death of someone.  

The Cult of the Caesar was the state religion of the Roman empire, in which the emperor was worshipped as a god. When the announcement of the emperor’s birthday was made, or the accession of a new Caesar (gives rise to our English Kaiser & Czar!) proclaimed, the account of either event was designated by the word euaggelion or “good news.” The NT evangelists appropriated the word, take it out of the secular usage, and applying it to the message of salvation as the "best news" a man could ever hear!

E Stanley Jones wrote that...

“Religions are man’s search for God; the Gospel is God’s search for man. There are many religions, but one Gospel.”

"Tells rebellious men that God is reconciled, that justice is satisfied, that sin has been atoned for, that the judgment of the guilty may be revoked, the condemnation of the sinner cancelled, the curse of the Law blotted out, the gates of hell closed, the portals of heaven opened wide, the power of sin subdued, the guilty conscience healed, the broken heart comforted, the sorrow and misery of the Fall undone."

John Phillips sums up this verse writing that...

The new equality of the Gentiles was a bitter pill for most Jews to swallow. For centuries they had prided themselves on being God's chosen people. They had nurtured a growing contempt for Gentiles and wallowed in religious and racial snobbery. They had considered themselves to be God's favorites. Now all this superiority was shattered. It turned out that all along God had loved the Gentiles just as much as He had loved the Jews (witness the events in the book of Jonah, for instance). Now God was proving this truth in an astonishing way by bringing Jews and Gentiles together in a new body that ignored the special privileges the Jews had enjoyed for some thousand years. Gentiles were not going to be added to the existing corporate body of the Jewish people, the nation of Israel. There would be an entirely new body to which Jews and Gentiles would be added on equal terms.

Jews and Gentiles would share equally in the same legacy. They would be "fellow heirs." There would be no double portion for the Jews. Jews and Gentiles alike would receive the same blessing.

They would share equally in the same life too. There would be one body, its head being Christ and its members believers. Jews and Gentiles were all one in Him- all washed by His blood, all partakers of the same Spirit of life, and all equally dependent on Him and on one another.

Jews and Gentiles would also share equally in the same light. In Christ, there were no longer any special promises to Jews (Ed note: the promise to the nation of Israel of the land is however yet to be fulfilled to them and it will be in the future), no revelations made to them alone. The full blaze of New Testament truth was the property of the church, not Israel.

OF WHICH I WAS MADE A MINISTER: ou egenethen (1SAPI) diakonos : (Ep 3:2; Romans 15:16; 2Corinthians 3:6; 4:1; Colossians 1:23, 24, 25)

In Ephesians 3:7-9 Paul to explains how his ministry is connected with the Church.

Made (1096) (ginomai) means to be made or to come into existence, in this case referring to Paul coming into existence as a servant!

The idea that Paul did not make himself a minister but that God brought him into existence (as it were) as a minister or servant. The calling and empowering of God's minister is His prerogative Alone to give. This principle is seen all through the NT...

Acts 26:16 (Jesus ordered Paul to) arise, and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister (huperetes from hupó = under, beneath + erétes = a rower. Literally described the men in the ship's galley, doing one thing -- rowing and with their eyes on one man, the man standing at the front of the hull, shouting "Row, Row, Row your boat!")  and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you

1Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

Col 1:25-27 Of this church I was made a minister (diakonos) according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (see notes Colossians 1:25; 1:26; 1:27)

Colossians 1:29 And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. (see note)

Minister - this translation might mislead some to think Paul is referring to our modern day meaning of minister, a word that designates the pastor of a church. The NT never uses diakonos with that connotation. Paul is saying that he ministered the gospel or served God in the capacity of proclaiming and teaching the gospel.

Minister (1249)(diakonos - some say from diakonis = "in dust laboring" "running thru dust". Others from diako same as dieko = to hasten) represents the servant in his activity for the work he is to do and speaks of one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master. A diakonos in the NT described attendants, waiters at table or those with other menial duties, deacons, ministers, servants (both slaves and hired) not in his relation to his master, but in his activity. The diakonos represents the servant in his activity for the work.

Diakonos - 29 times in the NT - Matt. 20:26; 22:13; 23:11; Mk. 9:35; 10:43; Jn. 2:5, 9; 12:26; Rom. 13:4; 15:8; 16:1; 1 Co. 3:5; 2 Co. 3:6; 6:4; 11:15, 23; Gal. 2:17; Eph. 3:7; 6:21; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:7, 23, 25; 4:7; 1 Tim. 3:8, 12; 4:6

ACCORDING TO THE GIFT OF GOD'S GRACE WHICH WAS GIVEN TO ME: kata ten dorean tes charitos tou theou tes dotheises (AAPFSG) moi: (Ep 3:8; Romans 1:5; 1Corinthians 15:10; 1Timothy 1:14,15)

According to (2596) (kata) in proportion to.

Gift of Grace - means the gift consisting of the grace of God.

Gift (1431)(dorea from dídomi = to give) refers to a free gift laying stress on the gratuitous character of the gift. This refers to the gift in which the grace of God consisted, Paul's apostleship to the Gentiles.

Dorea - 11 times in NT - Jn. 4:10; Acts 2:38; 8:20; 10:45; 11:17; Ro 5:15, 17; 2 Co. 9:15; Eph. 3:7; 4:7; Heb. 6:4

Grace (5485) (charis) in simple terms is God's unmerited favor and supernatural enablement and empowerment for salvation and for daily sanctification. Grace is everything for nothing to those who don't deserve anything. It is what every man needs, what none can earn and what God Alone can and does freely give. Grace addresses man's sin while mercy addresses man's misery. The gift of grace makes men fit for salvation, making strangers into God's sons.

What is "God's grace" in this context? The aspect of grace in view is the office of the apostleship or the ministry to the Gentiles.

D L Moody said

The law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out.

John Flavel's offers a picturesque description of grace...

Grace is to corruption as water is to fire.

Jowett defined grace as "holy love on the move".

Grace first inscribed my name
In God's eternal book:
'Twas grace that gave me to the Lamb,
Who all my sorrows took.
-Philip Doddridge

Grace is free but it is not cheap for as Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds us

If the race you have received does not help you to keep the law, you have not received grace!

Trench wrote that

it is hardly too much to say that the Greek mind has in no word uttered itself and all that was at its heart more distinctly than in this.

In its use among the Gentiles charis referred to a favor done by one Greek to another out of the pure generosity of his heart, and with no hope of reward. When it is used in the NT, it refers to that favor which God did at Calvary when He stepped down from His judgment throne to take upon Himself the guilt and penalty of human sin. In the case of the Greek, the favor was done to a friend, never an enemy. In the case of God it was an enemy, the sinner, bitter in his hatred of God, for whom the favor was done. God has no strings tied to the salvation He procured for man at the Cross.

ACCORDING TO THE WORKING OF HIS POWER: kata ten energeian tes dunameos autou: (Ep 3:20; 1:19; 4:16; Isaiah 43:13; Romans 15:18,19; 2Corinthians 10:4,5; Galatians 2:8; Colossians 1:29; 1Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 13:21)

According to (2596) (kata) in proportion to.

According to the working of His power - The gift was bestowed in accordance with that efficiency which could transform Saul the persecutor into Paul the apostle to the Gentiles.  In other words the fact that God could save a proud, self-righteous Pharisee, and commission him to an apostle was a clear demonstration of the "working of His power".

Vincent writes that...

The gift was bestowed in accordance with that efficiency which could transform Saul the persecutor into Paul the apostle to the Gentiles. (Word Studies in the NT)

Working (1753)(energeia from energes = at work, operative, active from en = in + érgon = work <> English = energy, energetic) (Click word study on energeia) describes active, operative, efficient and effective power. Energeia is exclusively a Pauline word used only to describe superhuman power, whether of God or of the devil; of God.

Energeia - 8 times in NT - Eph. 1:19; 3:7; 4:16; Phil. 3:21; Col. 1:29; 2:12; 2 Thess. 2:9, 11

In Philippians 3:21 (see note) our Lord Jesus Christ

Power (1411)(dunamis words derived from the stem duna— all have the basic meaning of “being able,” of “capacity” in virtue of an ability & is root for our English "dynamic") (Click word study on dunamis) means inherent power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature.

Dunamis is the root from which we derive the English word dynamic, which describes that which is marked by usually continuous and productive activity or change. That which is dynamic is characterized by energy or forces that produce motion, as opposed to that which is static.

Our word “dynamite” is the transliteration of dunamis but not its translation. Dunamis does not refer to an explosive powder. The Greeks knew nothing about gunpowder as if the gospel will blow men to bits but as discussed above, it refers to intrinsic power. The gospel is not the "dynamite" of God in the sense of dynamite's explosiveness. Although in the sense that a stick of dynamite contains the inherent power to effect results it would be a reasonable picture of the Greek word.