Shepherds Bible Ephesians Chapter 3

SHEPHERDS BIBLE ARNOLD MURRAY EPHESIANS CHAPTER 3 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, #This book was written by Paul in prison, so he's saying because I am teaching that you Gentiles have a part in God' s plan is why I'm sitting here in prison. It is probably because this book is written to two people - the Gentiles and the Israelites - that these first three chapters are difficult for those who do not understand the plan of God.# 2. I f ye have heard o f the dispe nsation of grace of God which is given me to you-ward: #God has told Paul what to tell the Gentiles, you see.# 3. How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery, (as I wrote afore in few words, 4. Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.) #You will remember how God struck him blind and said, Paul, you're to go and teach My people (Acts 9:15). In other words, it wasn't by his choice.. It was God's directive. You'll remember Paul had been quite a scoundrel, even taking part in the stoning of Stephen, but you see it was God who gave him His truth and told him to go and teach. You can rest assured that Paul was humbled by the fact that he was chosen.# 5. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; #This knowledge was not made known to Adamic man because it was not time before the crucifixion when Christ brought salvation to all who accept Him through the Holy Spirit, # 6. That the Gentiles should he fellow-heirs, and o f the same bod y, a nd partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel: #/Or, fellow heirs, in Christianity, through salvation.# 7. Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of His power. #Again, God made me His minister, told me how and where and what to say. He qualified me.# 8. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given,

that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; #Most all of the elect think they are the least, and you con understand Paul's feeling, as he had previously been involved in many foul things.# 9. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, which created all things by Jesus Christ: #Note "men" is italicized indicating that it was added here. Paul says his mission is to make all see the great overlaying power of Jesus Christ and plan of God, which God and Christ knew even before the foundation of this wor ld. It is the same plan we've been discussing, to give everyone an opportunity to love or not love Jesus and God, to love or not love Lucifer. YHVH will not force your love. It must come from within your be ing o n a voluntary basis and herein lies the mystery of bringing the souls or people into this world., to let them make this decision.# 10. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, #Or, for the purpose that you might know the saving power of God and the separating power or Satan.# 11. According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: #This plan was in the beginning. It was to happen thot wny; and beloved, it is happening that way and it shall continue. It was eternally proposed. Jesus Christ was the fullfiller of this plan. Through Him and in Him is salvation.# 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence hy the faith of Him. #Through Christ only may you app roach the Father. Jesus is the way and the only way. He is the Son of God and the leaders and king at this time for the elect. He is the Saviour for the Gentiles. He has the power to forgive and save and give Iife eternal.# 13. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. #Don't feel bad about this, but rather be encouraged by the good news I br ing you and glory in it. # 14. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, # In other words, God's plan has been made known to Paul, and he thanks the Father for you and for the truth and k nowledge of His plan.# 15. O f whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, #In other words, some elect have already gone on and are there with Him, but

this same promise pertains to the first- fruits that remain here as well as to all.# 16. That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith: that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, # dwell in your hearts".. that He may be at home there, '^grounded in love" would be tter be "in His marvelous love," because when you let Him touch your heart or let the Holy Spirit enter. He guides you and helps you to witness to others. This is how His work is accomplished. # 18. May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height* #That you Gentiles may he able to understand this with all the saints and see the infinite power of God.# 19. A nd to k now the love of Christ, which pa sseth knowledge, that ye might be filled with oil the fulness of God. #How do you think we get our knowledge? We pray for it. Do you think Daniel knew those things before they were revealed to him? No. Daniel was told to close up the book, that he wouldn't understand all those things, but that the wise in the last days would understand:- not that the elect are so special but because the Holy Spirit passes on the truth of the Holy Scriptures so the elect are made aware of His complete plan.# 20. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in. us. #In other words, God is able to do even beyond our dreams or comprehension.# 21. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. #World without end of His master plan of salvation is what it‘s saying.#