"Wealth, Walk and Warfare"

What  is the "wealth" (some of the "every spiritual blessings in heavenly places") which Paul has revealed in Ephesians 1 and 2?

SYNOPSIS OF
THE BELIEVER'S WEALTH

RICHES IN EPHESIANS 1

Every spiritual blessing (1:3), chosen, holy, blameless (1:4), adopted as sons (1:5), redemption, forgiveness (1:7), mystery revealed (1:10), inheritance (1:11), gospel of salvation, sealed (1:13), pledge of inheritance (1:14).

RICHES IN EPHESIANS 2

Remember that these "unfathomable riches in Christ Jesus" are all made possible by the almighty Cross of Christ which abolished the enmity separating God and man and Jew from Gentile.

Christ's efficacious work in regard to the Law is summarized below...

Why is Paul spending so much time explaining to the Gentiles their "before/after" picture and emphasizing their place of equality with the Jews in one body, the body of Christ?

It is because he wants to be sure that the Gentile believers don't take their new found salvation for granted (which has to a large extent occurred in the church in America, some of whom don't even know that Jesus was a Jew, much less that the early church was virtually all Jewish) so that they have a proper appreciation and sense of gratitude for their salvation. Paul knows that when the Gentiles grasp these truths, this truth has the potential to radically impact their conduct, so that they are motivated to walk worth of their new calling in Christ and not according to their former corrupt way as pagans. For many Gentile believers, there is a tendency to "skim over" the doctrinal truths in the first three chapters (except our favorite verses like Eph 2:8-9) so that we can get into the "practical" section of Ephesians 4-6. The problem is that the character of our walk in the last 3 chapters is intimately related to a proper understanding of the doctrinal truth in the first 3 chapters. We love to talk about being filled with the Spirit, but don't spend much time appreciating the mystery of Christ which makes it possible to even be filled with the Spirit!

Ephesians 3:1 (note) How does Paul begin?

On the basis of the glorious truths Paul has expounded in the first two chapters begins this section "for this reason" (the reason of the truths just described).

Ephesians 3:1 How does Paul identify himself?

Prisoner of Christ (not of man even though he is a prisoner of Rome).

Why did Paul say this and not "I Paul a prisoner of the Romans for you Gentiles"?

Paul looked at things from the divine standpoint

Don't miss that Paul understood his suffering had purpose (see Ephesians 1:11b "God works all things out after the counsel of His will")

When you have a sure hope that anchors your soul, the Spirit can take this truth, renew and transform your thinking so that the temporal can be seen from an eternal perspective.

Application: Have you ever suffered for being a Christian - in your family, at work, at school? Paul would call us to be imitators of him even as he imitated Christ Jesus (2Cor 11:1). He would have us see our suffering from a heavenly perspective (where we are seated in Christ) and productive of a long range purpose. We have a choice when we are in our "prison" (what this is for each of us doesn't take much imagination) - we can regard the time in prison as a privilege of providence or as an opportunity to practice self pity and doubting of God's providential watch care.

Why was Paul a prisoner? What was the purpose? the pathogenesis?

Purpose - For the sake of the Gentiles.

Pathogenesis - Compare (see notes Ephesians 6:19; 6:20) - Paul was an "ambassador in chains" for making known with boldness the mystery of the gospel and the mystery it revealed (which greatly angered unbelieving and even to some extent believing Jews).

In an attempt to understand Paul's flow of thought, when do you see "for this reason" repeated? Verse 13

What did Paul sense might be (or perhaps it had been reported to him) was the reaction of the Gentile believers to Paul's imprisonment?

Verse 13 suggest that they were on the verge of loosing heart at his tribulations.

Notice the similarity between verse 1 and verse 13.

Now with these thoughts in mind, what do you think was Paul doing in verses 2-12?

He is addressing their concerns and questions about why he was in prison so that they might not lose heart.

Did you notice in the NAS, the long dash after "Gentiles---" in verse 1? In light of what we have discussed, why do you think the translators placed it here?

This dash is added by the translators to suggest a parenthesis (), a sort of digression in thought, a parenthetical thought. Again the purpose of the truth in his explanation would have been to quiet their fears.

Ephesians 3:2 (note) What had God graciously given to Paul?

A stewardship of His grace

What is a stewardship?

The idea is like the owner of a house entrusting the proper running of his house to someone, a steward, who managed the household affairs in the owner's absence.

Who was this stewardship for?

The stewardship was for the Gentiles

Since Ephesians 3:2-13 is a digression by Paul in which he summarizes his calling by God, we will take a brief excursus through Scriptures that help us understand God's calling on Paul's life.

Excursus on
God's Stewardship of Grace Given to Paul

John 4:34: What did Jesus explain to His disciples about His calling?

John 4:34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work."

Jesus sought to fulfill His Father's will, not His own will.

John 17:4 What does Jesus say the night before He is crucified about the work God had given Him to accomplish?

John 17:4 "I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished (brought to an end, to the intended goal = the Cross) the work which Thou hast given Me to do."

God gave to us His only begotten Son to take away the sins of the world and He fully accomplished that goal when He let sinful men crucify Him as the perfect Lamb of God.

1Corinthians 11:1 What was Paul's a command to the saints in Corinth which is applicable to all of us today?

1Cor 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

So as Christ clearly recognized God's work for Him and fully accomplished it, so Paul made this his great objective in life, even as should all believers.

How does this truth correlate with what Paul taught in Ephesians 2:10, that we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them?

Paul did not seek this work but God gave it to him and Paul recognized it and accepted God's "invitation" to join Him in His "good works" which God had prepared beforehand that he should walk in them.

Application: God has prepared good works for every believer to walk in and it behooves us to seek God to reveal them to us in His perfect timing, that we might bring them to fruition, bearing much fruit, fruit that endures for eternity!

Galatians  2:7-8 What does Paul recognize as his ministry?

7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised
8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles)

Compare Galatians 1:12-17...

Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ 13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure, and tried to destroy it; 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. 15 But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother's womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.  18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. (Although this specific trip to Arabia is not mentioned in Acts, this 3 year period in Paul's life would fit between Acts 9:22 and 9:23.)

Paul was set apart from birth (cf God "chose us in Him before the foundation of the world" Ephesians 1:4) to preach the gospel ("to preach Him") to the uncircumcised ("among the Gentiles")

Romans 15:20; 21;  22 (notes): What does Paul say about Paul's call to the Gentiles?

And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation; 21 but as it is written, "THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND." 22 For this reason I have often been hindered from coming to you

"Not where Christ was...named" means where He was unknown which would be among the Gentiles, who were far off, "separate from Christ" (Ephesians 2:12) in contrast to the Jews who at least had the name of the Messiah even if they for the most part refused to receive Him as their Redeemer. Paul quotes from Isaiah 52:15, which primarily predicts Christ's second coming, but he applies it to Gentiles many of whom believed when they heard the good news about Christ for the first time.

Acts 26:1-20 What does this passage teach about God's work for Paul? (Context: Paul is making his defense before King Agrippa)

Acts 26:6 "And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers (cf Ephesians 2:12 "strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope"); 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.

(Paul describes initial personal encounter with the risen Lord) 13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 "And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 "And I said, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. (Paul persecuted believers who were in covenant with Jesus, their "Covenant Defender") 16 'But arise, and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 delivering you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness (cf Ephesians 2:12  "having no hope and without God in the world") to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'

Jesus' commissioning of Paul as an apostle (one sent from one in authority with the right and power to carry out the sender's command) to the Gentiles who were spiritual blind and walked under the prince of the power of the air.

Acts 26:19-20 How did Paul respond to the "work" Jesus called him to as an apostle?

Acts 26:19 "Consequently, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.

Unhesitating obedience to the command of the Lord Jesus - from that day forth Paul truly became a man on a mission!

2 Timothy 1:8-12 (notes) What was Paul's exhortation to Timothy regarding the work God had prepared for him to walk in?

2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works (cf notes Ephesians 2:8; 2:9), but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity (NIV = "before the beginning of time"), 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

This is Paul's last letter shortly prior to his death and he is suffering once again because of preaching the gospel. But he is undeterred and unashamed because He knows Whom he believed.

2Timothy 4:5,  4:6,  4:7, 4:8 (notes): What does Paul state about accomplishing the work God had prepared for him to walk in?

But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

He commands Timothy to fulfill his ministry and uses the truth that he is soon to die to motivate Timothy, as well as the truth that he had proven faithful to the call 34 years earlier ("I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" - see note 4:7)

2Timothy 4:16, 4:17, 4:18 (notes): What was Paul's prescription for accomplishing God's work?

2Timothy 4:16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.  17 But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, in order that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the lion's mouth.18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul relied not on himself but on the Lord's presence and strength to accomplish the charge his Lord had given him 34 years earlier to go to the Gentiles. He fully accomplished the "good work" God had prepared for him

Ephesians 3:3 (note) How did Paul discover the mystery?

God revealed (for in depth study of this word click apokalupsis) it to him ("a revelation" = God "took the lid off exposing what was heretofore hidden from view and thus unknown) - this is spiritual truth and can only be discerned by spiritual men.

In verse 5, Paul says that God revealed it to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit  (See Gal 1:12-17 above)

What was this revelation called prior to it being uncovered?

A mystery (for more in depth word study see musterion) - so a mystery in the NT is some truth that has been concealed in the past (3:5 "in other generation was not made known") but is revealed by God (so that it is no longer a "mystery" to believers)

Ephesians 3:3b What does  "I wrote before in brief" refer to?

This reference could be to his mention of the "mystery" in Ephesians 1:9; 1:10 (clearly chapter 2, especially verses 11-22, deals with this mystery and could also be what Paul is referring to)

He (the Father) made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His (the Father's) kind intention which He purposed in Him (Christ) 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. In Him

Ephesians 3:4 How could the Gentile believers understand Paul's insight in to the mystery of Christ?

By reading what he had written before in brief!

Ephesians 3:5 (note) What does Paul explain about the timing of the mystery being made know?

In other generations it was not made known to the sons of men - this fact is repeated again in verse 9.

Ephesians 3:5 To whom else besides Paul was the mystery revealed?

God's holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit - Note that Paul says "now" so that he is clearly not referring to the Old Testament prophets.

Ephesians 3:6 (note)  What is the mystery?

The Gentiles are...

Fellow heirs and fellow members of the body of Christ

Fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel 

Note: each of these three descriptions (fellow heirs, members, partakers) is a combination word, at least one of which (fellow members) is found no where else in the NT or in secular Greek writings so that it appears to have been "coined" by Paul. Each of these words begins with the preposition "sun" which means with but speaks of intimacy and union in contrast to the other Greek preposition for with (meta) which means beside. Think of the two thieves on the Cross, one who became a believer (he was crucified with Christ in the sense of the preposition "sun") whereas the other thief was crucified next to Christ, also "with" (meta) Christ but not in the sense of an intimate union! Paul repeatedly uses verbs and nouns beginning with "sun" in the book of Ephesians - for more in depth discussion and a list of all the "sun" words in Ephesians click here.

Comment: In other generations it was not a mystery that Gentiles could be saved (by the gospel, by grace through faith - Gal 3:8, Ge 15:6). God first gave the promise to Abraam (although there is also an allusion to the gospel in Ge 3:15) in Genesis 12:3 and repeated it to Abraham in Genesis 22:18

"And in your seed (Masculine Singular = Messiah , the "Seed" in Gal 3:16) all the nations of the earth (clearly includes the Gentiles) shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

On the other hand, as we have learned the Gentiles were "strangers to the covenants of promise" (see note Ephesians 2:12) and for them to be saved in the Old Testament (prior to the inauguration of the New Covenant) they had to have contact with the Israelites "to whom belongs the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants...and the promises...and from whom is the Messiah" (see notes Romans 9:4; 9:5).

Colossians 1:24,25,26,27,28,29 (notes): What parallel truths does Paul regarding the mystery?

Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions (Note: Christ's atoning work on the Cross is once for all and "paid in full" for the sin debt, so this has reference to those believers who suffer - when they are persecuted, He is persecuted which speaks of the oneness and identity of covenant -- see Acts 9:5). 25 Of this church I was made a minister 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, 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints, 27 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. 28 And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29 And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

Keeping in mind that Colossians was written primarily to Gentile believers, see the chart comparing the parallel truths...

Ephesians 3:7 (note) What was Paul a minister of?

He was a minister of the gospel - the word used here for minister was used in that day for one who waited on tables, emphasizing menial, serving aspect (although of course there is nothing menial about being a diakonos of God! See study of related word, diakonia).

Ephesians 3:7 How did Paul obtain his job as minister of the gospel? Did he decide that is what he wanted to do for God?

This was according to to the gift of God's grace

It was according to the working of His power - By God's special favor and mighty power, I have been given the wonderful privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

Ephesians 3:8 (note)  What was Paul's response to the great privilege which God had bestowed on him to be a minister of the gospel?

He saw himself as the least of all saints - the least deserving. This says a lot about Paul - this revelation could have made him proud but that was not the case.

Barclay writes...

If ever we are privileged to preach or to teach the message of the love of God or to do anything for Jesus Christ, we must always remember that our greatness lies not in ourselves but in our task and in our message. Toscanini was one of the greatest orchestral conductors in the world. Once when he was talking to an orchestra when he was preparing to play one of Beethoven’s symphonies with them he said:

“Gentlemen, I am nothing; you are nothing; Beethoven is everything.”

He knew well that his duty was not to draw attention to himself or to his orchestra but to obliterate himself and his orchestra and let Beethoven flow through. (Barclay, William: New Testament Words:. Westminster John Know Press, 1964)

This is not false humility but the attitude of a man who has seen Christ and who recognizes that everything he accomplishes is based on God's unmerited favor bestowed on him.

As you examine this chart, you see that we come face to face with the phenomenon which is frequently seen in the great Christian leaders and saints of the past. It is that the older they grow, the more acute is their own sense of sin and of weakness in themselves. (cf John 3:30) They see that what they once thought to be natural strengths are really weaknesses. So if this is beginning to happen to you, you are growing as a Christian.

Ephesians 3:8; 3:(note): Why was God's grace manifested to Paul?

1) To preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ -- refer to chapter 1 (chosen, adopted, redeemed, sealed, etc) and chapter 2 (He is our peace, reconciliation with each other and with God, etc) for some of the untraceable, untrackable riches we possess (right now) in Christ. Oh, how we need to learn to live in the light of these unfathomable riches in Christ, for indeed we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2) And to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages had been hidden in God Who created all things (to enlighten everyone about God’s secret plan)

Grace was not something just to be received, but to be shared with others

Ephesians 3:10 (note) What was the purpose of bringing the mystery (of the church, Jew and Gentile in one body) to light?

That the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places - when they see Jews and Gentiles joined together in His church.

When? Now
Where? To the Principalities
Through who? The Church
What? Manifold Wisdom

Application: From a practical standpoint this the word manifold which means  in essence "multi-colored" points out that the wisdom of God is sufficient for any circumstance we might encounter in life. Nothing catches God's wisdom "off guard". There is nothing of light or of dark, of sunshine or of shadow, for which God's wisdom is not triumphantly adequate. It follows that we would do well to follow the advise of James who wrote that...

if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

Ephesians 3:10 Who are the "rulers and authorities"? (Cf, Ephesians 6:12)

The rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Compare Ephesians 6:12 where the same terms clearly refer to the angelic demonic hosts. In the present context, there is no distinction between good or evil angels, and thus it appears that both groups are the audience for the unveiling of the manifold grace of God in the mystery of the Gentiles saved on equal footing with the Jew.

Ephesians 3:11 (note) What do we learn about God's plan for the church?

It was his eternal purpose - God was not caught unawares when Adam sinned and plunged the world into spiritual death. God had in eternity past determined a plan of salvation, part of that plan (the mystery of Jew and Gentile on equal footing as one new man, the body of Christ, the church) being kept hidden until the last days and His revelation to Paul and the other NT apostles and prophets.

He accomplished it in Christ Jesus our Lord (Who is Himself our peace, Who made both groups one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall)

Ephesians 3:12 (note) What is the church's privilege through faith in Christ Jesus?

We have boldness and confident access (to the Father) 

Hebrews 10:19-22 What is the parallel truth taught in this passage?

Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22)

Just as the barrier of the dividing wall has been broken down in Christ, so too has the veil that separated the holy place from the holy of holies in the Jewish Temple. This real event was used by God to symbolize the boldness and access we now have to enter God's very presence through our great High Priest by virtue of the  New Covenant in His blood.

Application: Have you ever had a friend who knew some very famous or distinguished person. You would never have any right to enter into that person’s presence, but in your friend’s company you had the right of entry and were able to meet the famous personality and talk with them. That is what our Friend Jesus does for us with the most distinguished of all, Almighty God. Through our Redeemer there is continual entree into God the Father's presence.

Hebrews 10:19-22 What is the parallel truth the writer of Hebrews relates to believing Jews who were being tempted to waver from the faith?

Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

You might refer to Matthew 27:51 for the parallel passage describing the supernatural tearing of the Temple veil from top to bottom.

In Ephesians the Gentiles had a barrier pictured by the barrier around the Temple forbidding them from entering into the Jewish areas on penalty of death (which the Romans allowed them to carry out in this case). This literal barrier of course pictured a "religious" barrier and the enmity of the Law and commandments in the ordinances, which the Jews took pride in and turned into a barrier rather than be the "lights" God had always intended for them to be to the Gentiles - the point was that in the OT and prior to Acts 10, the only way a Gentile could be saved (which was God's desire from the beginning - compare "all the families of the earth" in Genesis 12:3)  was by contact with the Jews who alone had the covenants of promise (specifically the Abrahamic covenant).

Ephesians 3:13 (note) What is Paul's request of his Gentile believers?

He asks them not to lose heart (click word study of ekkakeo) at his tribulations (click word study of thlipsis) - pressing circumstances in this case referring to his imprisonment. Note the "therefore" - Paul is saying because of what he has explained in verses 2-12 regarding the calling on his life (stewardship of grace, revelation of the mystery, ministry of the gospel, preaching of the unfathomable riches of Christ to the Gentiles, bringing to light this mystery and the manifold wisdom of God to the angelic hosts) they are not to become discouraged and give up. To reiterate, this section from verse 2-13 is like a parentheses in which he explains why he is in prison. He apparently had been on the verge of praying for them in verse 1 but digressed for moment to explain his situation and now he resumes his prayer in verse 14.