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Good morning brother, Day three: Ephesians Chapter 3:1-13
God has made his secret known 3:14-21 Paul’s second prayer
Thoughts: God has made his secret known. The ‘secret’ is the good news that Christ has joined Jews and Gentiles together. He wants them to become one people. Jesus offers them life and salvation. Both groups share that promise. What is Paul’s second prayer about?
Paul poured out a lot of his writing in prison.
Paul was a willing prisoner. He was obedient in suffering.
The light of the Gospel shines in the darkest times. Where sin abounds grace abounds.
To be truly free we must be a prisoner of Christs.
God has us on mission and assignment.
We have our boldness from Jesus. If our faith in Christ that gives us strength.
My will is bound to one who captured me.
We are shackled to Christ. We are free from sin and death but we must stay shackled to Jesus.
Because your Spirit lives in me I am bound in you. I don’t have as many cuff marks as before. I don’t resist as much and follow Christ.
Paul was humbled by the grace of God. Paul should be put to death by the law.
We have this unimaginable gift of the promises of heaven. Sowed on earth but stored in heaven.
The LORD wants to kick back on the sofa of your heart and make his home in our hearts as we trust him.
We are to be willing witnesses of what Holy Spirit is doing in our lives.
We have a responsibility to bring people to the feet of Jesus.
I want Kingdom things. Child like faith. Desire to see what my Daddy is doing.
Chapter 3 speaks about the mystery of Christ revealed (Ephesians 3:1–13). The second part of this chapter emphasizes Paul's prayer for spiritual strength, and ends the first half of his letter (Ephesians 3:14–21).
The first passage (Ephesians 3:1–13) includes Paul mentioning himself by name as a prisoner on behalf of the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1). He assumes his readers know of his calling to serve them (Ephesians 3:2). The gospel was revealed to him as he had previously mentioned (Ephesians 3:3). This was information not known in the past (Ephesians 3:4–5). The mystery he spoke of was that Gentiles are now fellow family members of the church in Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:6).
Paul was a minister of this gospel according to God's grace (Ephesians 3:7). Though he was the least likely to be in this role, God gave him this calling to share Christ with the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:8). He sought to bring light, to everyone, regarding the plan and grace of God (Ephesians 3:9). This was part of the eternal plan of God (Ephesians 3:11). Paul said "we" have boldness and access to God, with confidence through our faith in Jesus (Ephesians 3:12). Paul also asked that his readers not be discouraged by his imprisonment (Ephesians 3:13).
The imprisonment Paul described was his first Roman imprisonment, which took place between approximately AD 60 and 62. During this time, Paul was under house arrest while awaiting trial. Despite the confinement, for two full years he was able to freely preach the gospel to all who came to him. As a result, even some among Caesar's household came to faith (Philippians 4:22). In addition, during this time, Paul wrote four letters which are now part of the New Testament: Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and this letter to the Ephesians. Presumably, his imprisonment allowed him to write even more letters which did not become part of the Bible.
The second part (Ephesians 3:14–21) of this chapter includes a personal prayer by Paul. He bowed on his knees (Ephesians 3:14), asking God to give the Ephesians strength through His Spirit (Ephesians 3:16). He desired for Christ to dwell in the hearts of the church of Ephesus by faith (Ephesians 3:17). His desire was for them to know the depth of Christ's love that surpassed all knowledge (Ephesians 3:18–19).
Paul concludes the chapter with a doxology to the Lord (Ephesians 3:20–21). Paul describes God as one able to do far more than we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). God deserves all glory for all things at all times (Ephesians 3:21). This doxology also concludes the first half of Paul's letter, with the remaining chapters transitioning to new themes and more practical matters within the church.
Thank you for another great day and week of battle prayer.