Ephesians 3

1. For this reason I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, because of bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles, bend my knees in prayer.

Paul is reminding them that he is writing this letter from jail, and that he is in jail as punishment for bringing the gospel to them.

2 – 3

Have not you heard of how God gave me grace to become your servant? And how He allowed me to understand His secret by giving me a revelation?

God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you … Colossians 1:27

4. What I have just written briefly about will help you to understand you my insight into the mystery of Christ

Paul is saying, “I want to make sure you understood what I meant when I said that Jews and Gentiles are now one.”

5. In other generations, the secret was not made known to men, as it has now been revealed in the spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets

The true purpose and life of the Messiah was not known in the Old Testament. It was only understood after the life and death of Jesus.

6. That the Gentiles would also inherit with the Jews. This promise is fulfilled in Jesus through the Gospel

The Old Testament did speak about the nations coming to God. It did not reveal that Gentiles would be made equal to the Jews in Christ.

In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice. Genesis 22:18

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. Isaiah 9:2

The Gentiles will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:3

7. I have been made a servant of this Gospel according to the gift of God's grace, which He gave me by the operation of His power.

Paul understood that it is a privilege to know what God wants you to do and then to go do it!

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he [Paul] is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel. Acts 9:15

The gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. Colossians 1:23

8 – 9

To me, the most unimportant of all the set-apart ones, this grace was given to bring the good news to the Gentiles of the riches of Jesus that cannot be searched-out. And to make everyone understand the mystery which was hidden from eternity by God, the creator of all things

You cannot find the idea that Jews and Gentiles would be brought together as one anywhere in the Old Testament.

10 – 11

So that the wisdom of God which cannot be searched-out might be made known by using the church to show the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.
This was always His purpose, which was brought together in Jesus our Lord.

Paul was Given the job of explaining the mystery to the Gentiles. The church was given the job to show God's wisdom to the powers that are in the heavenly places. See 1 Peter 1:12.

12. And in Him we have freedom to dare to approach God with confidence.

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

13 – 14

Because of this, I beg you not to lose heart because I am suffering in prison for bringing the Gospel to you. This shows God's glory to you. Because of His great plan, I fall on my knees before the Father

Paul was not discouraged in prison. He was sharing the Gospel with everyone he came in contact with. Scripture and history show us that Nero's palace was touched by Paul's ministry. Philippians 1:13 – 14

15. From whom the whole human race is called a family.

He made from one blood every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. Acts 17:26

If this letter is written only to the Ephesians, and Paul spent many years in Ephesus, then why would he say, “I heard of your faith?”

16. That God will give you strength with power through His Spirit in your inner man

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30

There is no revelation or wisdom without the power of the Holy Spirit. John 16:13

17. So that Christ may b e allowed to liv e in your hearts through faith while you are rooted in the foundation of love.

When there is someone you cannot love or get along with the devil suggests that we should eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil by deciding what to do on our own.

God is waiting for you to say, "Lord, I cannot do this, if it is going to be done You are going to have to do it in me - I give up." Watch what happens when you do this, God will do what you cannot do.

Jesus called himself humble and lowly, and even today He will not force Himself into your life. If we do as we please then Christ is not being allowed to live in our lives.

18. And that you may be able to get ahold (with all the other Christians) of how wide and how long, and how deep, and how high these things are.

It is one thing to get some ideas from the Bible, it is another thing to get a hold on them and use them in your life.

Not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 2 Corinthians 2:13

19. And to know the love of Christ (which is so far above our understanding) and that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

If we do not take the time to allow ourselves to be filled with all the fullness of God, then we will be filled with something else.

20 – 21

Now to Him who can do far more than all that we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations of eternity. Amen!

How can we be discouraged when God works in us this way?

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?

Hope in God, for I will again praise Him For the help of His presence. Psalm 42:5