II. THE CHRISTIAN’S CALLING 1:3-3:21". . . the first three chapters are one long prayer, culminating in the great doxology at the end of chapter 3. There is in fact nothing like this in all Paul’s letters. This is the language of lyrical prayer, not the language of argument, and controversy, and rebuke." [Note: William Barclay, The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, p. 76.] read more
Paul ministered in these two ways so the manifold wisdom of God might appear clearly to the angelic hosts (cf. Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 6:12). "Manifold" (Gr. polypoikilos) means variegated or made up of different kinds. Individual redemption is not in view here but the church composed of people of different types, namely, Jews and Gentiles is."The church as a multi-racial, multi-cultural community is like a beautiful tapestry. Its members come from a wide range of colourful backgrounds. No... read more
Reasons for renewing the Prayer for Wisdom1-13. A digression, which, however, could not be spared. As in Ephesians 1:15, he begins to speak of himself, and this time he explains his unique interest in the conversion of the Gentiles. ’Many of his readers had not seen him, but they must have heard of the special work assigned to him by God, of making known to all the mystery of the ages, so that even angelic powers learn through the Church the manysidedness of the Divine counsels.’1. ’It was... read more
(1) Ephesians 3:1-13 contain two subjects closely blended together. The first (carrying on what is implied in the contrast drawn out in Ephesians 2:0) is the absolute newness of this dispensation to the Gentiles—a mystery hidden from the beginning in God, but now at last revealed. The second, an emphatic claim for St. Paul himself, “less than the least” although he is, of a special apostleship to the Gentiles, proclaiming this mystery by word and deed. read more
(10) In this verse St. Paul passes on to consider the manifestation of God in Christ as brought home not only to the race of man but to the angels—“the principalities and powers in the heavenly places”—who are described (1 Peter 1:12) as “desiring to look into” the consummation of the gospel mystery. In the same sense the Apostles, in their ministration of the gospel, are said to be a spectacle to angels and to men (1 Corinthians 4:9); and in a magnificent passage in the Epistle to the Hebrews... read more
Christianity a Revelation Ephesians 3:4-5 I. First of all, let us notice what is implied in this, when we say that Christianity is a revelation. For one thing, there is implied a contrast. When we say that Christianity is a revelation, we mean that it is not an induction or an invention. Every religion purports to be a revelation. Ay and more, every religion in so far as it is true and there is an element of truth in every religion is what it purports to be, a revelation. We need not be... read more
Chapter 13EARTH TEACHING HEAVENEphesians 3:10-13"The mystery hidden since the ages began, in God who created all things": so the last paragraph concluded. The added phrase "through Jesus Christ" is a comment of the pious reader, that has been incorporated in the received text; but it is wanting in the oldest copies, and is out of place. The apostle is not concerned with the prerogatives of Christ, but with the scope of the Christian economy. He is displaying the breadth and grandeur of the... read more
3. The Mystery Made Known CHAPTERS 2:11-3:21 1. The condition of the Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11-12 ) 2. But now in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:13-19 ) 3. The new and great relationship (Ephesians 2:19-22 ) 4. The Mystery made known and Paul’s ministry (Ephesians 3:1-13 ) 5. The prayer (Ephesians 3:14-19 ) 6. The doxology (Ephesians 3:20-21 ) With the eleventh verse of the second chapter we reach a new division in this Epistle. The great mystery of the masterwork of God, the Church, is next... read more
3:10 {2} To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church the {c} manifold wisdom of God,(2) The unsuspected calling of the Gentiles was as it were a mirror to the heavenly angels, in which they might behold the marvellous wisdom of God.(c) God always had only one way to save men by: but it had various shapes and forms. read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 3:1-13
2. Past ignorance 3:1-13Paul began to pray for his readers again (cf. Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 3:14), but he interrupted himself to tell them more about the church. What he said in this section gives background information concerning the church as a mystery. read more