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
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 considered himself the least worthy (lit. the "leaster") of all the saints (Ephesians 1:1) to have received such a privilege. This unusual expression is "a comparative of the superlative." [Note: Martin, p. 1308.] Rather than thinking God owed him something, Paul regarded God’s entrusting him with the gospel as pure grace, unmerited favor (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:11)."Perhaps he was deliberately playing on the meaning of his name. For his Roman surname ’Paulus’ is Latin for ’little’ or... read more
The second part of Paul’s ministry, besides preaching to the Gentiles, was explaining the mystery of the church to everyone. Even though God had not revealed the church earlier, it was in His plan from the beginning (1 Corinthians 2:7; Romans 16:25-26). read more
3:9 ages (d-19) Or 'from eternity.' literally 'from the ages;' but in the sense of the period elapsed, not 'hidden from them.' 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
(8) Less than the least of all saints.—Compare with this expression of deep humility the well-known passages 1 Corinthians 15:9-10; 2 Corinthians 11:30; 2 Corinthians 12:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:12-16. It may be noted that in each case his deep sense of unworthiness is brought out by the thought of God’s especial grace and favour to him. Thus in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, the feeling that he is “the least of the Apostles, not meet to be called an Apostle,” rises out of the contemplation of the special... read more
(9) To make all men see.—St. Paul speaks here first of manifestation to all men. The phrase used in the original is at once stronger and weaker than our version of it. It is stronger, for the word is, properly, to enlighten or illuminate—the same word used above (Ephesians 1:18), “the eyes of your heart being enlightened.” Strictly, Christ alone is the Light of the world, “which enlightens every man” (John 1:4-5; John 1:9; John 8:2); but, as reflecting Him, He declared His servants to be the... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 3:9
9. to make all men see—Greek, "to enlighten all" (Ephesians 1:18; Psalms 18:28; Hebrews 6:4). "All" (compare Colossians 1:28). fellowship—The oldest manuscripts read, "economy," or "dispensation" (compare Colossians 1:25; Colossians 1:26; and see on Ephesians 1:10, above). "To make all see how it hath seemed good to God at this time to dispense (through me and others, His stewards) what heretofore was a mystery." ELLICOTT explains it, "the arrangement," or "regulation" of the mystery (the union... read more