August 08, 2022 – Monday
Ephesians 3:7-9 NIV
7 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: 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 created all things.
Comments – Part 2
A reader wrote in to comment on Friday’s Verse/s of the Day, referencing the verses above. What caught this reader’s attention was the underlined phrase above, the boundless riches of Christ, writing this went deep into my heart. And then added, That, and the constant search for what God wants us to do for Him which came from the Bottom Line on Friday: Stop and ask yourself what YOU will do as a servant of God? As an undeserving recipient of His grace, what will you do with your life?
In Part 2 we will look at that phrase, the boundless riches of Christ as a result and see what various commentaries have to say about it. But first let’s look at how a few other translations present this phrase. In the CJB it reads the Messiah’s unfathomable riches, in the ESV & KJV it reads the unsearchable riches of Christ, in the NASB & NET it reads the unfathomable riches of Christ, and the NIV the boundless riches of Christ. Thus, when the riches of Christ are discussed here, they are boundless, unfathomable, and unsearchable. All come from Strong’s G421, anexichniastos with the definition that cannot be traced out, that cannot be comprehended.
With the above in mind a few commentaries now. First Guzik writes, This mystery is like great riches for the Gentiles. They can now come before God in a standing they could only dream of before. Paul tried to figure out the greatness of God’s grace, and started tracking it out as one might track out the shore of a lake. He soon discovered that it wasn’t a lake at all, but an ocean, an immeasurable sea. God’s riches are unsearchable; we will never know them completely. Then I like this comment in the Benson commentary, The graces and virtues to be exercised by us; as faith, hope, love, obedience; in all which particulars unsearchable riches are comprehended, and by which we may be unspeakably and eternally enriched.
Then there are these comments from Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, There is no more emphatic expression in the New Testament than this. It shows that the heart of the apostle was full of admiration of the sufficiency and glory that was in the Saviour; that he wanted words to express it; and that he considered it the highest honor to be permitted to tell the world that there were such riches in the Redeemer. And in the Pulpit Commentary we find why the NIV used boundless, The unsearchable riches of Christ; two attractive words, riches and unsearchable, conveying the idea of the things that are most precious being infinitely abundant. Usually precious things are rare; their very rarity increases their price; but here that which is most precious is also boundless – riches of compassion and love, of merit, of sanctifying, comforting, and transforming power, all without limit, and capable of satisfying every want, craving, and yearning of the heart, now and evermore.
Bottom Line: As unfathomable, and unsearchable are the riches of Christ, they are boundless, available to all who would choose to believe in faith. Jesus stated as much when He told Thomas in John 20:29, Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Blessed for believing.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You love us and we cannot understand why, but we remain incredibly grateful for Your mercy and love. Thank You for making salvation, grace, available to all through Jesus. It is an almost unbelievable gift. Thank You. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek