A Verse
Ephesians 3:1-6
For this reason, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
A Comment
Having just spoken of the unified people of God in the previous chapter, now, in Ephesians 3:1-6, the apostle Paul reveals how God is going about this unifying work. While there was always an expectation that the nations would be included in the community of God’s people (Zech. 2:11, Isa. 2:2, Mic. 4:1-3), there was not always clear regarding the means by which the nations would be included.
For some, the idea that the nations would be included within the people of God meant that they would functionally become Jews through observing the law (circumcision, food laws, sabbath, etc.). In Ephesians 3:1-6, however, Paul reveals that mystery of the nations’ inclusion is through faith in Jesus Christ. In other words, the nations (the Gentiles) are regarded as God’s people not by becoming Jews, but by placing their hope in Christ. This was the mystery. And in Christ, the mystery was revealed.
We become a part of the people of God not by means of external observation of Jewish religious regulations but through faith in Christ. The apostle Paul makes this even more clear in Romans 9, where he speaks of the offspring of Abraham being those who have the faith of Abraham.
A Prayer
Would you join me in prayer?
A Blessing
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
The Mystery of Christ