Ephesians 3

Written on 05/10/2024

Verses 1-6

  • Although it was previously hidden from us, it was revealed to the Paul in detail, to other contemporaries of his, that the Gentiles would be saved.

    • Know that the Holy Spirit reveals secret of the Word (John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:10). Trust that the Spirit can deepen your understanding of the Word, so don't limit your understanding to what you currently grasp. There's always more, so never think you fully understand something.

  • Paul writes so that we will understand. 

    • Remember that the purpose of reading is to understand. And understanding brings important growth (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Make a habit of reading and this will help your understanding to grow.

    • This verse also stresses how important it is for all believers to read the Bible. If we're going to understand, we all need to read. And we're all meant to read it, no matter who we are!

 

Verses 7-8

  • Paul thought of himself, for his old life, as the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) since he persecuted and murdered Christians before he became one (Galatians 1:13, Acts 26:11).

  • Therefore, he knew that his revelation of the gospel and his ability to work for its expansion came entirely from God's grace and not his own competence.

    • Remind yourself of this same thing often. You are made able to serve God by God's grace and power, not by your own ability.

 

Verses 9-11

  • God created everything to bring glory to Himself by showing His greatness (His might/power) (Isaiah 43:7, Revelation 4:11).

    • But God does not need us to glorify Him (Acts 17:25). He is glorified in Himself (John 17:5). So He made His creation so that we would know about Him and be able to enjoy relationship with Him (Revelation 21:3,6-7, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18).

  • He created us—His church—specifically, to show His wisdom and greatness to beings called “the principalities and powers in heavenly places” (Ephesians 3:9-11, Ephesians 6:12).

    • Remember that you exist to show off God's greatness to others (Ephesians 1:12, 2:6-7), even to otherworldly and angelic beings and peer into God's dealings with us on earth (1 Peter 1:12, Hebrews 12:1). Therefore, keep in mind that your life is way bigger than just you and your present dilemmas. Your life is part of a great orchestra through which God is teaching the universe. Live with purpose and intentionality, knowing that life is so much bigger that you!

  • God's ultimate purpose of showing His wisdom through us is accomplished by our salvation through faith in Jesus! Therefore, you will experience your highest purpose in following Jesus, and the rest of creation will see God's purpose in the same.

 

Verse 12

  • We can have access to God, access even to the intimacy with God (Hebrews 10:19-22), with boldness and confidence because of our faith in Jesus.

  • Therefore, don't ever think that you're disqualified from knowing God. Jesus gave you access to God; you didn't earn it. Have your confidence in Jesus, not in yourself!

 

Verse 13

  • Don't worry or become discouraged about yourself or other believers going through hardships or persecutions. Remember that God uses hardships for good and important purposes (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:17).

    • Also, knowing how amazing God's plan is, why would we allow ourselves to become discouraged by the light afflictions we face today? Remind yourself often of God's great purpose in your life, and it will make today's hardships easier to endure. 

 

Verses 14-19

  • Again, as in Chapter 1, Paul prays for believer and so encourages us to pray for our fellow believers. Pray for yourself and for others:

    • To be strengthened with the power that comes from the Holy Spirit that's joined with in our human spirit.

      • Keep in mind that what gives power to us, and even greater strength to our bodies (Romans 8:11), is our human spirit being joined with the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Pray to understand the effects and potential of the Holy Spirit living in you, and you will experience more of the power therein.

    • To continue in faith and for Christ to be more evident in thoughts, emotions, and conduct.

    • To be focused on love at all times.

      • Love is the “greatest of these” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

    • To understand God's love deeply, and as a result be filled with all the fullness of God that is possible to possess in this life.

      • Focus on understanding love and being loving, and this alone will be powerful enough to fill you with God's fullness. We walk in our full potential when we are walking in mature love.

 

Verses 20-21

  • God is able to do far beyond what we can imagine, and that unimaginable power lives within us! Wow!

    • Let this stir up your faith! Don't limit outcomes of situations to what you can grasp or imagine. Have faith that all things are possible! (Mark 11:22-24, Matthew 19:26).

  • Praise God for this!