Chapter 3

Chapter 3 can be divided into two parts:

  1. 3:1–13 - Paul as preacher of Christ’s mystery among the Gentiles;
    1.2. 3:1–3 - introduction;
    1.3. 3:4–6 - the mystery of Christ revealed;
    1.4. 3:7–10 - the significance of Paul’s mission;
    1.5. 3:11–13 - God’s eternal purpose;

  2. 3:14–21 - Prayer of the apostle for the Ephesians;
    2.1. 3:14–15 - introduction;
    2.2. 3:16–19 - petitions;
    2.3. 3:20–21 - doxology.

3:1–13 - Gospel for the Gentiles

3:1–3

The apostle presents himself as “the prisoner of Christ”. In other letters, we have the phrase “slave/servant of Christ” (Rom 1:1; Gal 1:10); Then, we also have the phrase “apostle of Christ” (1 Cor 1:1). It seems that this introductory phrase depends on how the author wants to perceived by the community he writes the letter to. In Romans as the servant - planning to serve the community he does not personally know. In Corinthians as the apostle - because apparently the community was challenging his apostleship credentials. In Galatians both as apostle (Gal 1:1) and servant (1:10).

The reason Paul has become “the prisoner of Christ” are the Gentiles - Ephesians themselves. Moreover, even the grace that Paul has received from God - the grace of preaching the Gospel - was for the sake of the Gentiles - Ephesians.

The grace means the revelation of the mystery of Christ that was given to Paul and the Ephesians have just heard about it (Eph 1:9; 2:14–18). The Greek word “mysterion” - mystery was rendered into Latin as “sacramentum” - sacrament (in Latin version of Saint Jerome - Vulgate - we have here “sacramentum”). That has a powerful significance - Christ as the sacrament of the Father.

3:4–6

The mystery of Christ (mysterio in Latin here - Vulgate) was not revealed before to “the sons of men” - people. It was not known by the Gentile philosophers or poets. It was only revealed with the proclamation of the Gospel. Notice the role of the Spirit in here. The apostles and prophets refers to those who in the Church perform the ministry of proclaiming, preaching and teaching the Gospel.

The content of this mystery was already explained with details in chapter 2 (2:11–13). Here, it is repeated with three adjectives:

  1. Joint-heirs;
  2. Joint-body;
  3. Join-sharers.

All this three “joints” refers to the participation of the Gentiles in all the promises of God that were before directed to the Jews.

The participation takes place through the Gospel - proclamation of the Gospel that leads through faith and baptism to a new status of the Gentiles “in Christ”.

Remember that “justification” means the move from the old Adam - as children of disobedience - to the new Adam, Jesus Christ, our Savior - as the children of God by adoption (the grace of adoption).

3:7–10

The apostle repeats again that his apostleship is God’s grace, his success is due to the power of God, and he himself is a minister of the Gospel

We sense the echo of a great surprise, that Paul was given such a great grace (see Acts 9:15), he “the leaster - apostle coins here a word that would describe how he considers himself among all the faithful - among the saints - all the faithful.

The task of the apostle:

  1. To “gospelise” - to announce to the Gentiles the richness of Christ, which is presented as “unsearchable” or boundless, limitless;
  2. To bring to light the economy of the mystery. The Greek word “oikonomia” means “house management” and here we derive the English word - economy. Thus, God also manages His household - the entire universe - but His “household management” was and remains a mystery to many. It was even hidden from the ages - the beginning of the world. Now, Paul is task with brining that mysterious management of God’s household to light.
  3. Incredible point. Apparently even the angels were not aware of this mystery (1 Peter 1:12). Now, they can grasp its meaning through the Church. Notice then how important we - the Church - are. God is truly incredible. He uses such a apparently lowly tool like us - the Church. Paul called himself “the leaster”, the Church is also the leaster, because composed of us - the transformed sinners.

3:11–13

What does the principalities and powers learn through the Church? That the believers can approach the Almighty God with confidence. Imagine. They cannot, but we can. They have to cover their faces when they serve God (Is 6:2), but we through Christ can approach God with boldness.

This eternal purpose - the purpose of ages - was planed and fulfilled in Christ.

Finally, the apostle points to his own cross that is associated with the proclamation of this mystery. As the Cross of Christ became our glory, so our the tribulation of the apostle. Such perception of the suffering is also a kind of grace. In front of tribulations - either ours or our brothers and sisters - we faint, we get discouraged. Paul tries to change our perspective on this point. Here we can call to mind Christ’s saying from Mk 9:34–35.

3:14–21 - Amazing Prayer

3:14–15

Verse 3:1 can be connected with 3:14 through the phrase “for this cause” - the same Greek phrase at the beginning. Thus, the prisoner of Christ bows his knees unto the Father.

“Patera” - Father and “patria” - fatherhood. There is play on words here. The Father is the source of all fatherhood “in heaven and on earth”. The same phrase is found in Matt 6:10.

3:16–19

Here we have requests directed to the Father

  1. In 2:15 Paul spoke about “new man”; here he speaks about “the inward man”. This inward man can strengthened by the Spirit (2 Cor 4:16). Notice that we have here now Spirit, and in a moment we will have Christ.
  2. Christ to dwell in their hearts by faith. Heart in the Bible is the most inner part of human - the center of thoughts, feelings, and will. If Christ dwells there, then He directs our thoughts, feelings, and will. This indwelling takes place through faith, which means obedience, surrender, and trust.
  3. The consequence of Christ’s dwelling in us is being rooted and grounded in love. He who is love, roots and grounds us in love.
  4. To grasp the greatness of Christ’s love. The four dimensions can refer to the Cross that embraces the entire universe and the whole humanity in its arms. The crucified Christ signifies God’s love for us (see John 12:32).
  5. This knowledge of the love of Christ fills us with the fullness of God. Here, we find everything.

3:20–21

God is seen as above all our imagination. Even our requests and thoughts pale in comparison to what He can do for us. Here, we can see the rule: the measure of our requests is the measure of our faith.

The object of this powerful statement is God, the Father. The power working in us refers to the Holy Spirit. His glory dwells in the Church and in Christ - like before it dwelled among the people of Israel (see Ex 40:34).

This last request embraces all people of all times, who will be in Christ and in Church. God’s glory always rests on His adopted children and our lives should give glory to Him.

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