seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Ephesians 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
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. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
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. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Here's just a snippet or two from the commentary.That I should preach: The ancient Greek word translated “preach” literally means “to announce good news.” Paul’s preaching was simply the announcement of the good news of what God has done in Jesus.
To make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery: Having been entrusted with such riches, Paul’s passion was to make this gospel known to all people. He wants everybody to see and share in the fellowship of this mystery — which is a mystery precisely because it was unknown and unknowable until God revealed it.
Fellowship of the mystery: We should carefully consider what this phrase means. It demonstrates that these are not only facts to know but also a life to live, united in Jesus with other believers, without any separation such as existed between Jew and Gentile.
Might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers: This explains how God will reveal His wisdom, and to whom He reveals it. He will reveal it by His work in the church, and He will reveal it to angelic beings (principalities and powers).
To the principalities and powers in the heavenly places: This means that angelic beings are interested and instructed by the lives of Christians. This is why the conduct of the church is so important: because angelic and demonic beings are looking on, and God’s intent is to teach them through us.
What a confusing time they lived in. They had the rules Moses passed to them. They had the laws the government passed to them. Humans were becoming immune to the rules of Moses. Babies didn't mind having their thingy cut at the ripe age of 8 days, but grown men weren't so keen on joining God's troops. They didn't want their thingy cut. Oh, and the dietary restrictions, who doesn't love a good pulled pork sandwich, with lots of creamy slaw. Those crazy thingy cutting, pork hating people were getting complacent in their "we're better than everyone else" Temple. On top of that, they claimed to have the interest of the only God.And then along came Jesus.
The plan seemed to change when Jesus came to earth. Humans were relieved of most of the rules Moses passed down. Now there were only two rules, and their bellies could handle the pork.
The government, made up of Gentiles who conquered Jerusalem, murdered an innocent man on the testimony of those ultra-religious people. The rules allowed one man to be set free once a year. The people, with their thingies cut just so and their diets under the strictest of scrutiny, yelled "crucify Him". Then the Gentiles, murdered Him.
Where's the Body?
Now that Jesus has been here, and He knows how humans treat other humans, first hand, there is a new covenant with God.
Now that Jesus has been here, as a human, He can testify about human feelings and inadequacies with firsthand knowledge. Now that Jesus has been here, as a human; no big-headed lawyer can claim that God "doesn't know what it's like". Jesus knows what it's like to be tempted as a human.
There's a new covenant, and only two rules to live by:
- Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul.
- Love One another.
It's all part of God's Plan.
