Chapter 3
Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles
3 For this reason I, Paul, …
Paul identifies himself once more. Please see the introduction for more details.
…a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles…
Paul indicates that he’s in prison (or house arrest). Please see the introduction for more details.
…—2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, …
Paul is a steward, he has been entrusted by God with the Gospel in order that the Gentiles might receive it.
… 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
It was by direct revelation that God revealed that Paul would go to the Gentiles.
4 When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
In previous generations it was unclear, but now the Holy Spirit has revealed to the apostles and the prophets “the mystery of Christ”. The revelation is that the Gentiles are “fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise”.
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace which was given me by the working of his power.
Again Paul reiterates that he has been entrusted by God with this ministry.
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, …
He expresses humility.
…this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, …
Paul’s ministry
… 9 and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.
God’s wisdom is to be displayed in the Church.
The reference to “principalities and powers” again refers to angels.
11 This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him.
This plan was God’s from eternity.
13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Since this was God’s plan, his readers should not lose heart over what Paul is suffering. Elsewhere in Paul’s writings he explains how his persecution just causes the Gospel to spread even further.
Prayer for the Readers
14 For this reason…
Linking about to the previous pericope, because of God’s plan to gather Jews and Gentiles together and to reconcile them to Himself through the Son…
…I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,…
The order here is important. Earthly fathers take their cue from the Heavenly Father, not the other way around.
… 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.
Paul wishes his readers to grow in depth of insight and knowledge of God.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
Ends this section with a benediction.
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