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By: Rich Puckett

As with most of my studies, my comments are in red. The blue is from Matthew Henrys and Believers Study Bible commentary.

Ephesians 3: (v. 1-7) The apostle sets forth his office, and his qualifications for it, and his call to it.

(v. 8-12) Also the noble purposes answered by it.

(v. 13-19) He prays for the Ephesians.

(v. 20,21) And adds a thanksgiving.

The apostle sets forth his office, and his qualifications for it, and his call to it

Paul was a willing prisoner for the Lord, he learned that that the seed of God was so planted with in him that he could not escape the calling even if had chosen too. This is true to any of us that truly become born again, and taste of the Spirit of God, we may not want to admit it but no matter what in our hearts the mark, the seed is always there.

Eph 3:1: Verses 1-7. For having preached the doctrine of truth, the apostle was a prisoner, but a prisoner of Jesus Christ; the object of special protection and care, while thus suffering for him. All the gracious offers of the gospel, and the joyful tidings it contains, come from the rich grace of God; it is the great means by which the Spirit works grace in the souls of men. The mystery, is that secret, hidden purpose of salvation through Christ. This was not so fully and clearly shown in the ages before Christ, as unto the prophets of the New Testament. This was the great truth made known to the apostle, that God would call the Gentiles to salvation by faith in Christ. An effectual working of Divine power attends the gifts of Divine grace. As God appointed Paul to the office, so he qualified him for it.

"Dispensation" is a translation of oikonomia (Gk.), a term combining the words "house" and "law." The basic meaning then is "household law." The word is used in the N.T. to describe an epoch in which God emphasizes a particular aspect of His purpose for the human family. Here consideration is provided for the dispensation of God's grace, the epoch in which we now live. Note 1:10, in which the same word is obviously used of a future era.

The more you study the more you pray the more God reveals unto you. Paul spent most of his life in study of the Law of God, then met Jesus and his heart changed and he now knew the law of God. Many men study and know the words of this great book, but not so many have them written on the heart.

A mystery, in N.T. terminology, refers to a truth long hidden but eventually revealed to man by God at the appointed time. Most of the 27 occurrences of the word in the N.T. refer to some aspect of the plan of salvation: e.g., the kingdom of God (Matt. 13:11, note; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10), the hardening of Israel and the admission of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:25), the equality of Gentiles with Jews (3:3-6), the gospel (6:19; 1 Cor. 2:7; 4:1; Col. 4:3) and its reception (1:9; Rom. 16:25; Col. 1:26, 27), the sweep of God's redemption (1:9; 3:9), the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:51), the central doctrines of the faith (1 Tim. 3:9, 16), and Christ Himself (Col. 2:2). The term is also used of marriage as a symbol of Christ and the church (5:32), of prophetic secrets (1 Cor. 13:2; 14:2), of the "man of sin" (2 Thess. 2:3), and of intended symbols (Rev. 1:20; 10:7; 17:5, 7).

Paul's meaning of a mystery is the exact opposite of its use in the mystery religions, in which esoteric teachings were communicated to an elite few, who were enjoined never to divulge the secrets. Paul uses the term "mystery" ironically to herald the publication of the long-hidden secrets of God to the entire world. Chief among these is the fact that God is now welcoming Gentiles into His kingdom and affirming them as having equal standing before Him with Jewish believers in Christ.

Also the noble purposes answered by it

Eph 3:8: Verses 8-12. Those whom God advances to honourable employments, he makes low in their own eyes; and where God gives grace to be humble, there he gives all other needful grace. How highly he speaks of Jesus Christ; the unsearchable riches of Christ! Though many are not enriched with these riches; yet how great a favour to have them preached among us, and to have an offer of them! And if we are not enriched with them it is our own fault. The first creation, when God made all things out of nothing, and the new creation, whereby sinners are made new creatures by converting grace, are of God by Jesus Christ. His riches are as unsearchable and as sure as ever, yet while angels adore the wisdom of God in the redemption of his church, the ignorance of self-wise and carnal men deems the whole to be foolishness.

Gods plan for forgiveness of sin was not known by those of old, even those who told of it to come didn't really understand the event of which they spoke of. Today we talk about the last time and events that will happen, truth is we do not fully understand all the things told unto us but our eyes are opened more and more each day as God reveals more of the events. A new born again Christian cannot understand the word and all the things he or she should do but grow in them as you and I grow. If your not growing your dying so beware.

He prays for the Ephesians

If you serve God you will suffer, why? Because you do not think like the world, your goals and desires are different then those who do not know God. Where you seek to good they want to hurt and destroy, where you will show love and forgiveness they will show hate and bitterness.

Eph 3:13: Verses 13-19. The apostle seems to be more anxious lest the believers should be discouraged and faint upon his tribulations, than for what he himself had to bear. He asks for spiritual blessings, which are the best blessings. Strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man; strength in the soul; the strength of faith, to serve God, and to do our duty. If the law of Christ is written in our hearts, and the love of Christ is shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. Where his Spirit dwells, there he dwells. We should desire that good affections may be fixed in us. And how desirable to have a fixed sense of the love of God in Christ to our souls! How powerfully the apostle speaks of the love of Christ! The breadth shows its extent to all nations and ranks; the length, that it continues from everlasting to everlasting; the depth, its saving those who are sunk into the depths of sin and misery; the height, its raising them up to heavenly happiness and glory. Those who receive grace for grace from Christ's fulness, may be said to be filled with the fulness of God. Should not this satisfy man? Must he needs fill himself with a thousand trifles, fancying thereby to complete his happiness?

(vv. 14-21) The revelation of this great mystery by which God has joined Jew and Gentile is an occasion for a prayer of worship and adoration to God. In a sense, at this point Paul summarizes the major themes he has addressed in chs. 1-3.

How can you hate those that are different in color or because they understand some parts of Gods word different then you do? We are all of one family and should be showing love and understanding, teaching and praying for our fellow members.

The sense here is that the entire concept of "fatherhood" or "family" stems from God's fatherhood, in contrast to the popular psychological fallacy that man created God as a "father image." He is also not our Father on the basis of His having created us; rather, "as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). This is in contrast to another popular theological fallacy, the "universal fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man," in which a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by grace through faith is considered irrelevant to claiming God as Father (cf. John 8:44; 14:6; 1 John 5:11, 12).

You can never be filled until you have a heart and spirit of love. Study the book of first John where much time is spent on love.

And adds a thanksgiving

Eph 3:20: Verses 20-21. It is proper always to end prayers with praises. Let us expect more, and ask for more, encouraged by what Christ has already done for our souls, being assured that the conversion of sinners, and the comfort of believers, will be to his glory, for ever and ever.