August 04, 2022 – Thursday
Ephesians 3:2-3 NIV
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
Comments
Paul is describing how and why God’s grace was given to him, it was for Gentiles as he mentions in verse one, For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles. For this reason refers back to the end of chapter two in verses 19-22, all about Gentiles entering the kingdom of God, 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
When Paul writes, Surely you have heard, it does not imply a lack of knowledge, but instead something Paul takes for granted. Paul continues, about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you. The you consists of the Gentile Ephesians and any other Gentiles. How does Paul know this? By the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. Not by wisdom from any man, but by revelation from God. The mystery is how salvation is offered to any, including Gentiles, who will repent, believe Jesus died for their sins and rose on the third day.
When Paul said I have already written briefly about this, he was referring to 1:10-14 and further in 2:11-22. To get an understanding we will look at 2:11-13, 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Powerfully written.
The revelation did not come easy to Paul as it came to him on his way to Damascus to persecute believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ when he literally had an encounter with Jesus. We read about it in Acts 9:3-6, 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Paul had to be led into Damascus as he was blinded by the exchange for three days while he fasted and prayed. Bottom Line: God chose to change the heart of a zealot to then bring the good news of Christ to the Gentiles. Paul looked upon this as God’s grace, unmerited favor, being given to him so he would be used to share the good news.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Show us how You would like to use us in sharing the good news of the grace we have received. We are Your servants. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek