For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)--Ephesians 3:1-4
Paul is attempting to begin a prayer for believers here....but he does not actually get to the prayer until verse 14 where he repeats the phrase that he began this chapter with...for this cause It is best to see verse 2-13 as a parenthesis wherein Paul speaks once again of the truths he wrote about in Ephesians 2:11-22....that the Jew and Gentile are one in Christ...that there is no longer any distinction between them. The Gentiles are now fellow heirs, of the same body and partakers of His promises in Christ by the gospel.
We will be looking today at only the first 4 verses of Chapter 3. Paul begins with, For this cause or for this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles,. For this cause or reasons again refers back to the truths discussed in Chapter 2. God has broken down the wall of separation between the Jew and the Gentile and has made one new man out of the two. He has reconciled both unto God in one body by the cross. The Gentiles who were once afar off from God have now been made near when they believe. All believers are equal in Christ...members of His family and are all being built into God's temple and dwelling place.
Next, Paul tells us that he is a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles. The earthly reality is that Paul has been imprisoned for allegedly taking a Gentile into the forbidden areas of the temple....something he did not do. Because of this Paul faced trials before the religious authorities, before the Roman governor, and before King Agrippa who would have released him had not Paul already appealed to Caesar. Despite all of this, Paul did not consider himself to be a prisoner of the Jews or a prisoner of the Romans or of anyone but Jesus Christ. I LOVE THAT! Paul was a man with a mission given to him by God...to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentile! He trusted that God would do the work and fulfill all His purpose in him. His job was to live by faith knowing that it all was in the hands of His God. The doings and plans of men would not succeed unless God allowed them to for His purposes. Paul knew that His God would work all things together in his life for His purposes. Read what the apostlel says in Philippians 1:
"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO LIVE....TRUSTING GOD IN AND THROUGH IT ALL! Paul understood that he was imprisoned for His purposes which was the saving of the Gentiles. God knew what He was doing...Paul rejoiced in His sufferings...he counted them all joy... knowing that God was working a perfect work in him and at the same time fulfilling His plan and will for the Gentiles! He knew all would turn out for the furtherance of the gospel...verse 13 says this...Paul is speaking.
Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Paul knew that his suffering and sacrifices would bring others (specifically the Gentiles) to glory...that is what made it all worth it. Like Christ he did it for the joy that was set before him....
"For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God."2nd Corinthians 4:15
Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.--Philippians 2:17
Verse 2-4...Paul wants the people to know that this revelation is not from him but from God. The apostle sees himself only as God's messenger of this truth...commissioned by His Grace. He knew who he was before Christ...the chief of sinners. How ironic is it for God to have chosen Paul who prior to conversion was a pharisee of pharisees and a persecutor of the church to bring the Gentiles to Christ.
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. The mystery of the Jew and Gentile becoming one in Christ was hidden from all men until it was revealed by God.
Paul was not the only recipient of this revelation...Peter was also. (See Acts 11:1-18) The revelation is also consistent with OT Scripture and prophecy as Paul would have known having been steeped in the word. His desire in verse 4 is that they would understand the truth of the revelation he was bringing them and be able to apply it in their lives.
