Placement in God’s True Temple And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit Ephesians 2:22 (NIV) ‘And in him you too are being built together’ (2:22). The apostles and prophets were the foundational members of this living temple and other Jewish believers were
The Stewardship of God’s Mystery For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles – Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, Ephesians 3:1,2 (NIV) There is a pattern in these first three chapters of Ephesians. In chapter
What is the Mystery? Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which
Grace to the Least to be a Servant I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: Ephesians 3:7,8a (NIV) At the end of 3:6
Preaching Christ and Administrating the Mystery Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who
The Wisdom of God Revealed to Angels His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him
The Father and the Essence of Fatherhood For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:14,15 (NIV) Paul has been explaining both Christ’s peace-making work, which resulted in the creation of the new society, and his personal involvement in this because
Strengthened With Power I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:16.17a (NIV) Paul prays that ‘out of his glorious riches’ God will give his readers certain gifts. Both ‘glorious’
Established in Love and Knowing the Love of Christ And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, Ephesians 3:17,18 (NIV) Paul’s second petition is that his
Filled to the Fullness of God … and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19 (NIV) The fourth petition Paul asks for his readers is that they be filled up to God’s fullness: ‘that you may be filled to the
