Grace is the unmerited and underserved love of God for the world that He created.
Ephesians 3:3-4 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
The Wisdom of God given to us by Holy Spirit produces knowledge.
2 Peter 3:15-16 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
The risen Lord gave Paul the mystery of God’s amazing grace to all who believe in Him for salvation. A period of time was given for the dispensation of grace which offers eternal life with Christ to all who by faith believe.
Romans 16:25-27 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
The birth, death and resurrection of Jesse Christ finished everything necessary for the restoration of our relationship with the Godhead…it is finished.
Ephesians 3:5-7 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
Led by Holy Spirit spiritual people spoke the truth of our Triune Godhead. Long before the printed page existed they kept the oracles of God in their hearts and minds for all of mankind.
Romans 8:14-17 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Ephesians 3:8-13 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
In Christ we are led by the indwelling of Holy Spirit as adopted children of the most high God. We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We are positioned in the Body of Christ for His glory. Grace is the unsearchable riches of Christ in us. Carla
Paul was not expressing false humility when he called himself less than the least of all the saints. He was truly humble because he previously had persecuted Christ’s church. In another place Paul refers to himself as the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Paul’s mission as an apostle was to enlighten all people about the mystery of God’s grace in Christ, which was not understood in previous times but which had become clear with the coming of Jesus Christ. God’s ways are not only “mysterious,” but also varied. Angels are also learning about God’s wisdom as they watch His grace working in us (1 Corinthians 11:10). The NKJV Study Bible
After discussing God’s cosmic work of reconciliation (2:1–22), Paul now explains his role within the mystery of the gospel.
Ephesians is one of four letters that Paul wrote from prison (along with Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon). The location and time of this imprisonment are unclear.
Paul’s calling as apostle to the Gentiles—he was one of God’s chosen agents to preach the gospel to non-Jewish people (Romans 1:5; 15:15–16; Galatians 2:9). Paul affirms that he received God’s plan of salvation directly from God (Acts 9:1–7; Galatians 1:11–12). The Greek word used here, mystērion, refers in this context to God’s plan of salvation through Christ.
Through Christ’s death and resurrection, God has invited Gentiles (non-Jews) to join His people—expanding the scope of His salvation to include the entire world, not just Israel (Isaiah 49:6; Galatians 3:8). This stunning revelation is the heart of Paul’s gospel and missionary work.
As God’s chosen people, the Jews were heirs of the blessings promised to Abraham (Genesis 17:4–8; Romans 9:4–5). Through Christ, non-Jews also become heirs of God’s promise.
Paul means that the fullness of God’s plan, and how it all would come together, was not known. God’s plan of salvation is through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The rulers and the authorities refers to spiritual enemies of God (Ephesians 1:21). These forces were kept ignorant of Christ’s role—that His death and resurrection would be the catalyst for redeeming Gentile people groups. By responding faithfully to the gospel, the people of God—Jews and Gentiles together—reveal God’s plan of salvation. The purpose of the ages relates to God’s plan of salvation.
Through Christ, believers are reconciled to God.
Paul’s hardships have contributed to the believers’ life with Christ in the age to come—when Jesus returns and makes all things right. Faithlife Study Bible
Ephesians 3:1–4 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you…
Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
1 Peter 1:12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into
May I walk this day
in the realm of grace,
walking with You
my feet firmly on your earth-path,
my heart loving all as kindred,
my words and deeds alive with justice.
May I walk as blessing,
meeting blessing at every turn
in every challenge, blessing,
in all opposition, blessing,
in harm’s way, blessing.
May I walk each step in this moment of grace,
alert to hear You
and awake enough to say
a simple Yes.
Robert Corin Morris
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