B26-devotions

We are used to reading about the story of Paul’s ‘conversion’ on the road to Damascus. However, when speaking about his ‘call’, Paul does not always refer to this. He certainly spoke about it when making his defence against the Jewish and Roman authorities (Acts 22:3f. 26:12f.), but in his letters (here and in Galatians 1:13f.), he spoke forthrightly about his call to preach. It is clear that by the time he was evangelising around the Roman Empire, Paul felt that he had been called by God with this one thing in mind; to take the Gospel out of Judaism and to convert the Gentiles.

In this passage, Paul boldly describes his call to preach and gives an expansive summary of the Gospel. He speaks movingly of his call ‘by the gift of God’s grace’ (3:7) before offering a universal perspective on the Gospel. The passage is full of expressive terms, such as ‘the limitless riches of Christ’ (3:8), and ‘the vast extent of God’s wisdom’ (3:10), which challenge us to appreciate that the power of the Gospel is far greater than we imagine. Indeed, the passage give us a glimpse into the vast plan of God in Jesus Christ to save the world, and use the church to do this work (3:10).

Our passage is dominated by the contrast between Paul’s humility and the glorious nature of the Gospel. To begin with, Paul confesses he is a ‘servant’ of the Gospel (3:7), ‘the very least of the saints’ (3:8). Some accuse Paul of too grandiose a sense of his own importance due to the forthright dogmatic instructions found in his letters; but this is a hard judgement, and Paul frequently speaks of his lowly status before God (see 1 Cor. 15:9 and 1 Tim 1:15). Paul always justifies what he says and says he is only passing on what has been revealed to him (3:7f.). However, the Gospel God had given him to preach was immense, and it is extraordinary that God should give this task to a man who had at first opposed the Gospel so strongly (see Acts 9:1f.), but that is the nature of God’s grace. God transforms His enemies into His advocates!

When Paul began to preach, there was much at stake. He had to bring to the world God’s only plan to save the world and give people the opportunity to have peace with God, and this passage captures the magnitude of this. Paul speaks about a ‘mystery’, hidden ‘in God’ since the beginning of creation (3:9), so the salvation offered to us in Christ is no accident of history. Salvation is intended by God, and this means that the preacher must tell people, as Paul does here, that God is already reaching out them before they respond. Today, some use the phrase ‘I have found Christ’, when the truth is that through Christ God has always been reaching out for us with His ‘limitless riches’ (see 3:8).

More than this, the Gospel tells the whole world (3:10), that God means business. Here, in a surprising way not found elsewhere in his writing, Paul says expressly that God uses the church to make this pronouncement. Even in his famous letter to the Romans, where Paul speaks eloquently about the importance of preaching the Gospel, (Romans 10:14), he does not mention the church. But here, Paul places the community of God’s people at the centre of the action. The church is to make known ‘the eternal plan He has carried out in Christ Jesus’ (3:11). Paul even describes the great themes of ‘assurance’ and ‘access to God’ (3:12) as treasures held by all God’s people, not just individuals.

Scripture constantly appeal to us to find more in God’s Word and explore the ‘vast extent of God’s wisdom’ (3:10). Paul preached these themes many times, but he wrote them down so that we might be challenged by the grace of God and by the Gospel to which he was called. The importance of Paul’s call to preach the Gospel cannot be underestimated and should not be demeaned, because God used him in a significant way to make the Gospel available to us, two thousand years later.

Going Deeper

The Bible study continues a further look at the following subjects:

A comparison between this passage and 1 Corinthians 15:9
Wisdom, Creation, God’s mystery and plan
The role of the church in God’s plan
Paul’s appeal to the Ephesians in verse 13

Ephesians 3:7-13

Devotions for Thursday 25th February

Read on / GOING DEEPER / APPLICATION / DISCIPLESHIP

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power, 8 and as the very least of all the saints, this grace was given me to preach to the Gentiles the limitless riches of Christ, 9 and to reveal to everyone the purpose of this mystery. This was hidden for ages past in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church, the vast extent of God’s wisdom should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly world, 11 according to the eternal plan he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 We have assurance in Him and the right to have access to God by faith in Him, 13 so I therefore ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

All things belongs to You, Lord Jesus Christ

We thank You for Your provision.

All the glory in the heavens is Yours, Holy Father

Receive it with our love.

All power and authority in the world is Yours Holy Spirit

Use it as You will.

All praise to You Lord God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Amen.

All around us, people are rushing about doing normal things,

Keeping themselves going with the regular things of life;

Shopping, looking after children, visiting relatives and friends:

Travelling in cars, phoning on mobiles, eating snacks.

All around us, somewhere just beyond our usual horizons

Are people just about holding on, keeping their lives going

Despite the break-up of families or the death of loved ones;

Not knowing what they are doing. Lost, and looking for help.

All around us, God is breathing His Spirit, and Jesus is alive,

Just waiting to be found and offering the strength and help

People need to overcome all the trials and tribulations of life;

Will you share with them the Good News that His help is at hand?

Prayer ideas

When you are talking to people today, listen, and then if possible, pray about what they say to you

On-going prayers

Pray for those who are growing old Pray for the state and charitable agencies in your own country that exist to care for the elderly
Pray for the countries of Southern America and their economies
Thank God for the beauty of joy and happiness, and seek it out

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