Study Five - The Preacher

Bible Studies at Bristol Road Baptist Church

Life in the Body of Christ

EPHESIANS STUDY FIVE : THE PREACHER Chapter 3 1-13

David A. Green BD February 2003

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

Study No. 5

PAUL THE PREACHER

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Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles 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 men 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 God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable 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 which 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. INTRODUCTION When we began this series of studies I commented on the very long sentences that Paul uses – and how difficult they are to read in public, even in translation. (Verses 2-7 and 8-12 form single sentences in the Greek.) This chapter (which is the last of three doctrinal chapters in the book) demonstrates a similar difficulty. Paul begins by introducing a prayer in verse 1 – but the prayer doesn’t appear until verse 14! What we have for our present study is pretty much a parenthesis. Before he shares his prayer for these people he will go on a detour in which he will describe the way God involved him in His plan and gave him a particular ministry This “parenthesis” provides us with an insight into what he regarded as his ministry to them – and therefore an insight into the nature of the Christian Ministry. Page 2 of 10

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ I am sure you will agree that that makes the passage before us particularly relevant as we consider the nature of the Christian ministry. STRUCTURE I like to know where I am going in an exposition – and for that reason I tend to be somewhat tied to a structure. I know it isn’t the only way to preach or to teach – but it is my preferred method. I offer you the following division of the passage: ℵ The subject of his preaching

verses 2 - 6

ℵ The method of his preaching

verses 7 - 11

ℵ The outcome of his preaching

verses 12 and 13

But first of all look again at the opening words – which, we might argue, more properly belong to the next section. For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— We are reminded of Paul’s situation as he writes. More than likely chained to a Roman soldier, and dictating his letter in the presence of such a gaoler and such evident difficulty. At once Paul asserts his view of this difficulty – he is not the prisoner of the Romans but the prisoner of Christ Jesus. (A phrase repeated twice in Philemon – another letter written at the same period.) “Christ Jesus’ man imprisoned (that is what is meant by prisoner of Christ Jesus, not that Jesus is the jailer!)1 He often describes himself as the SLAVE of Jesus – but here it is prisoner. He has done so in many other letters – but here his introductory title is “apostle” and his reference is to imprisonment. We notice too the link with the Gentiles: “For the sake of you Gentiles” – Paul’s imprisonment arouse directly from his specific ministry to the gentiles of which these 1

Carson, D. (1997, c1994). New Bible Commentary : 21st century edition (electronic ed. of the 4th ed.) (Eph 3:14). Downers Grove: InterVarsity.

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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ verses will have much to say. Because of that particular ministry Paul was accused by the Jews and imprisoned by Rome. “For this reason…” takes us forward to the prayer. It also reminds us of the verses just before that spoke so eloquently of the Gentiles being included into the temple and the building and the community and family of the Church. Paul is saying “I’m here in prison – but that is part of God’s plan – His way of using me for you Gentiles. Let me tell you a little about it…” And so he does, and in the passage before us presents us with this threefold description of his ministry:

THE SUBJECT OF HIS PREACHING

verses 2-6

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 men 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. There is obviously a distinction here between preaching in general and the particular ministry of the apostle. He wants us to know that God gave him a unique ministry. “A mystery made known to me by revelation..” (3) Paul wants his readers to understand that what had been denied to all others – even the Old Testament – has been given to him. This unique ministry – or 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.” This was Paul’s distinctive ministry.

Of course, in the broadest sense it was to preach Christ. It was the gospel. But it was specifically for the Gentiles. And it is easy for us who take possession of Paul and his writings; to regard him as “one of us” – but he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews. For Paul the message demanded a specific vision, a specific revelation – a mystery shared by God with His chosen apostle. Page 4 of 10

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ So you will notice as Paul explains this to his readers that he shares with us these strands of the gospel truth that motivated everything he did. MYSTERY We use this word in such a different context nowadays that it deserves a closer look. Back in Chapter 1 v 9 Paul has used the word: 9

And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. He now uses it four times in our passage 3, 4 6 and 9. It is something that can only be known by revelation. In that sense Jesus spoke to His disciples in Luke 8 v 10 (and Matthew and Mark) 10

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. It is something hidden from those who do not know the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. It is not like a modern mystery simply waiting to be unravelled or explained. So here Paul uses it like this:

the mystery made known to me by revelation

3

my insight into the mystery of Christ,

4

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. 6 The ordinary sense of the word is something hidden from general view – the NT sense is truth revealed by God Himself. As in Col 2 v 26:

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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ 26

the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ADMINISTRATION (NIV)

STEWARDSHIP (AV)

v 2 the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, The word is that from which we derive ECONOMY – at a personal level a stewardship committed, on a wider scale a system for organising wealth. Paul sees his ministry as an “administration of God’s grace” by which God gave him an insight into the mystery so that he might share it. “Given to me FOR you” There is nothing ad hoc about Ministry – it has a divine origin, a divine subject and a God ordained audience. Those who are called to it know the mystery – are aware of the solemn stewardship of it, and recognise that it is for the Lord’s people. Of course it bestows privilege – as it did to the prophets of old – but with that privilege, and our recognition of the office goes a solemn ECONOMY – both an individual stewardship and a collective administration. Verse 6 shows us the three-fold strand of his ministry: 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. The mystery is about the Gentiles who are: 1. 2. 3.

heirs together with Israel members together of one body sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus

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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

THE METHOD OF HIS PREACHING

VV 7 — 11

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 God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable 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 which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You will notice in this paragraph two very unusual words: v 8 “unsearchable” v10 “manifold”

ἀνεξιχνίαστος πολυποίκιλος

The thought of our riches in Christ Jesus is one the hallmark phrases of the letter – but Paul here uses a most unusual word “unsearchable” which ties in perfectly with the phrases he will use in his prayer presently. The word is only found here and in Romans and in Job (in the Septuagint) : ROMANS 11 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen. 33

Job 5 v 9 and 9 v 10

9

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.

The thought is of trying to “track out the confines of a lake and finding it is in fact no lake at all but an arm of the immeasurable ocean” (Jowett) Today we would probably want to use the expanse of space as a better analogy.

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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ The second unusual word is “manifold” v10 πολυποίκιλος The word is found only here – but is used elsewhere to describe the varied colours of an individual flower or a bed of flowers – or the intricate beauty of an embroidered pattern. (It suggests to me (being that way inclined) the many different coloured pixels of which an image is composed on a digital screen.)

In this paragraph Paul describes the way he preaches: 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 God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable 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 which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ℵ Dependent ℵ Privileged ℵ Professional DEPENDENT

7 8 8,9,10,11 preach…make plain …make known through the Church

v7

7

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Paul makes it plain that in the same way that his subject is by divine inspiration his life as a preacher depends entirely on God’s grace and His power. He describes himself as a “servant of this gospel” – he is entirely given over to it. In the next verse he enlarges on this: PRIVILEGED

v8

. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, Page 8 of 10

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ True preaching has to begin with humility – as the prophet speaks not his own words but the word of the Lord – so the preacher begins with a totally realistic view of his own status. This is the balance between humility and honour – a real sense of privilege : I am nothing but the message is everything. Here too is the thought of an utterly bottomless, unlimited range of material from which to speak. PROFESSIONAL vv 8-11 to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable 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 which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Notice the phrases Paul uses to describe his technique: ℵ to preach … ℵ to make plain … ℵ through the church…made known ℵ Evangelize

εὐαγγελίζω

ℵ Illuminate

φωτίζω

Both elements are needed – the evangelising and the making plain. Once the gospel is preached there must be growth in discipleship so Paul’s ministry includes both strands. You can see that the second strand does not stay in the shallows – but pushes out into the deeper water of that which was kept hidden by the Creator. In the third strand Paul shows us that the ministry extends through the whole church:

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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ 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 which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If the word is to reach rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms then it is a work of God in His Church - by its worship, witness and its salting influence. There is little point in preaching unless the Gospel is declared, the saints enlightened, and the world reached by the Church as a whole. Finally we see in the closing phrases of our passage:

THE OUTCOME OF HIS PREACHING

VV 12,13

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. We noticed in v 11 that the ministry affects the spiritual beings – but it’s effect upon the Body of Christ is a community of the Lord’s people ℵ who approach God with freedom and confidence ℵ who are not discouraged by what happens – in particular to their apostle Paul because the Lord who planned the revealing of His mystery and equipped Paul to minister it has their GLORY in mind.

© David A Green BD www.davidagreen.com Feb 2003

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