If you were writing a letter to someone to encourage them in their faith, but you had never meet them, what would you say? Paul has talked about Christ and how he is the basis of our faith, actions, line of thinking, motivation. Paul has reminded them that though they are not Jews the Ephesians now have the same faith and belong to the same family. Now in Ephesians 3 he reveals why he is saying these things to the Ephesians.
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
This must have been radical in Paul's day. To say that the Gentiles now have the same rights, relationship, and power that Christianity brings. Absolutely radical. Did the Jews realize how they would bless the nations? Did they comprehend that through them, the world would have community with God? How amazing.
Paul then applies this idea to his own life. He was "called" to preach to the Gentiles. They were his mission. Now Paul is in prison and waiting to be seen by Caesar.
so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Paul then prays for the Ephesians and gives them a blessing.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
This must have been radical in Paul's day. To say that the Gentiles now have the same rights, relationship, and power that Christianity brings. Absolutely radical. Did the Jews realize how they would bless the nations? Did they comprehend that through them, the world would have community with God? How amazing.
Paul then applies this idea to his own life. He was "called" to preach to the Gentiles. They were his mission. Now Paul is in prison and waiting to be seen by Caesar.
so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Paul then prays for the Ephesians and gives them a blessing.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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