By [wbt_preacher_link preacher=”Sean Finnegan”]
3:1 Paul wrote Ephesians later in his life when he was in prison.
3:2 Stewardship is a BIG word here. Christ had commissioned Paul to declare what God had done to
the nations.
3:3-6 In the ancient world, gods tended to go with ethnicities. The Canaanites worshipped Baal and Asherah; the Egyptians worshipped Isis and Osiris; the Greeks worshipped Zeus and Ares; the Romans worshipped Jupiter and Mars; and the Jews worshipped Yahweh. The idea of a single God pursuing worshippers from all nations probably would have been unusual. In fact, the revelation of this mystery is why Christianity is all over the world, rather than secluded on a people group. Furthermore, this inheritance and these promises are nothing short of receiving the world (Rom 4:13).
3:7-8a God let Paul in on His big plan and commissioned him to tell the world. He doesn’t deserve this job since he persecuted Christians. Perhaps God delights to work with the unqualified?
3:8b-9 Paul’s twofold mission is (1) to preach Messiah to Gentiles and (2) to share God’s hidden plan
with everyone.
3:10 The end result is that God’s wisdom be made known to heavenly authorities. Within Christian communities, ethnic diversity is something of which we should be proud.
3:11-13 God’s multiethnic family has equal access to Him. You are part of something bigger than yourself, something awesome.
0 Comments