Ephesians 3: The Love of God
In the first two chapters we see Paul outlining the reasons for his ministry to the Gentiles and their inclusiveness as children of God. In this third chapter, Paul continues to state, explain and give evidence for both his ministry and the Gentile’s standing in the kingdom of God. It may seem repetitive, but, Paul wants them to understand and remember. He utilizes the best form of teaching – say it, repeat it and repeat it again. Obviously, these points are important enough to be repeated. With this in mind, let’s continue in Ephesians.
Vs 1-6 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— you have heard, haven’t you, about the administration of God’s grace that He gave to me for you? The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above. By reading this you are able to understand my insight about the mystery of the Messiah. This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
In these first few verses, Paul re-establishes his call and authority to speak. He has been given God’s grace to do this. We have to remember that Paul was a Pharisee and a rabbi. Normally, he would have had nothing to do with Gentiles, let alone see that Gentiles could possibly be a part of the inheritance of faith. But Paul has changed. God has reveled through the Holy Spirit that Gentiles are coheirs. They are members of the same body and partners of the same promise. The mystery he referred to earlier in chapters 1:9-10 and 2:11-22 is that Israel was to be a light to the nations and God has always intended that ALL would come to know Him. This doesn’t seem to be much of a mystery today, but in Paul’s day this would have been revolutionary. In spite of the fact that the Old Testament taught this (Gen 12:3; 22:18; 28:14, Psalm 72, Isaiah 11:10; 49:6; 54:1-3, Hosea 1:10, Amos 9:11, Joel 2:28-29 just to name a few), few recognized it. It was like calling what is unclean, clean. It just wasn’t done. But this is the very reason Paul is repeating this. To get this revolutionary, amazing point across. Gentiles are now coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the ministry of the gospel.
Vs 7-12 I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of His power. This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of the Messiah, and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. This is so God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. This is according to His eternal purpose accomplished in the Messiah, Jesus our Lord. In Him we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
Some translations of verse 7 say “I was made a minister” but I love how this is translated because the word diakonos, which means servant. Paul didn’t appoint himself as a minister – it was a gift from God. Paul had all the credentials. He was a Pharasee, a rabbi, trained by the best teacher, years of experience. But, he states that he is a servant of the gospel. What is his message? The incalculable riches of the the Messiah. I love the phrase incalculable riches. Jesus is priceless. The gospel is so rich we can’t even fathom it. The amazing reality is that through Jesus, we can boldly and confidently access the throne of heaven through faith. This is the gospel message the world needs now. This is the message that can take a divided, hostile, world (and country) and turn it right-side-up again. As believers, we have the opportunity to come before the throne of God and pray for peace and unity in our land.
Vs 13-15 So then I ask you not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
Paul is writing this letter while in prison. In fact, he has been in prison for four years. Apparently, the church at Ephesus is upset by this, but Paul assures them that they don’t need to be discouraged. He wants them to see that his afflictions are for their glory. God’s plans are perfect and Paul knew this. He then proceeds to speak a prayer over the church. He begins petitioning the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. I think the significance of this is lost on our western cultural mindset. Paul has just made an effort to repeat his explanation about the Gentile’s inclusion in the family of God. Here, he re-emphasizes it in a wonderfully inclusive way. I want to focus in on the last part of verse 15, specifically the words “is named”. In American culture and many western cultures names do not hold the same weight as in other parts of the world, and especially not in the way it is used here. We tend to name our children the newest fad name or, in the case of some, a name that has never been done before. We really don’t put a lot of thought as to what the name means. The Bible, on the other hand, is replete with examples of naming people for a specific purpose. Many people received new names as life experiences, or ministry changed. Abram was renamed Abraham to show that he was not just the father of a nation but of many nations. Peter was renamed from stone to rock. Jacob was renamed to Israel. Here, Paul is showing that we have been named by God and are a part of the family. Just as an adopted child receives the family name of the adopting parents, we too have been adopted and receive the family name from God.
Vs 16-17a I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith.
This is where the English translation loses us and we must go and look at the Greek for the full meaning. These verses are actually a continuation of the previous verse and it’s all about the Greek word “hina” which means in order that or so that. There should be no space between the word name and that and should read as follows: For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named in order that He may grant to you according to the riches of His glory… This is very important to understand. God has given us His name so that, or in order that He may strengthen us with power in the inner man through His Spirit. Again, we have been given His name and are now a part of the family. Because of this, we can be granted the gift of the Holy Spirit. This was a significant development in Acts as the evidence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Gentiles became known. Because of this, Paul can pray for us to be strengthened with power in the inner (eso) man. The Messiah can now dwell within us and the Holy Spirit can empower us.
Vs 17b-19 I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Paul’s next request if for us to be rooted and firmly established in love. If we ever needed a word for today it is this. As believers in the Messiah, we need to be rooted in love. The word for rooted is errizōmenoi and means to be fixed in or firmly rooted. The word for love here is agape – the word used specifically for God’s love. This is a deep, abiding, sacrificial, unconditional love. It is immovable – fixed or rooted into place. This is the love Paul is talking about. We then have another hina – in order that or so that – to connect a firm and rooted love to the next section. We want to be rooted in love in order that we may be able to comprehend God’s love. The only way to understand the length, width, height and depth of God’s love is to be firmly established and rooted in it. And finally, the last hina – in order that or so that – we might be filled with all the fullness or the totality of God. So. Paul is praying for us to be rooted in the love of God so that we would comprehend the love of God so that we can be filled with all of God – who is love. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he devotes an entire section to love. In the end he says “these three remain, faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.” This is a word for today – right now – in this time we live. It reminds me of an old song – “What the world needs now is love sweet love. It’s the only thing that there just too little of.” Things are chaotic, hate filled, angry and lost. If we, the believers in the Messiah who is love, would be firmly rooted in that love, we could, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, show the world a love that is longer, wider, higher and deeper than all this strife. It is a love that could counter the hate and lostness. It is a love that brings peace beyond our understanding.
Vs 20-21 Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
And finally, Paul concludes his prayer. It is to the glory of God that we do this. It is for His glory and His glory alone. He is able. He is above and beyond all we ask or think. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit He can work in us and through us to see His glory come to pass. But this is not just a prayer for the church at Ephesus. It is a prayer for the church in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. It is a prayer for us. May God’s glory be seen in this world today. May the love of God flow through us and make a difference uniting what has been divided, bringing order in the chaos and healing for this land and the world. To the glory of God! Amen.
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