Ephesians 3
RoseEphesians 3:1-21
Teacher’ s Notes for Chapter THREE 1. Paul says, “ For this reason.” For what reason? No longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens in God’s household. Chapter 2:19-22. a. They (and we) are a spiritual house built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20; cf. 1 Peter 2:5)).This spiritual house is fitted together (built) for a dwelling place for God. 2. “ For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ” did what? To see what Paul did we go to verses 7 and 8. For this cause I became a minister (verse 7), that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (verse 8). a. In between his saying “ for this reason” and telling what he did, Paul says a few other things of importance. 3. Of what should the Ephesians have heard? (Verse 2). Of the dispensation of the grace of God. 4. How does Paul describe this dispensation in Ephesians 1:10? The dispensation of the fullness of time. a. Study the following chart: OLD Patriarchal DispensationMosaic DispensationChristian Dispensation God spoke directly to heads Of families and prophets (Hebrews 1:1)God spoke through MosesGod speaks through His Son Jesus (Hebrews 1:2 About 2500 years From creation to giving Of the law (Genesis 1:1-31 - Exodus 20:1-26) About 1500 years Exodus 20:1-26 From Giving of the law to Crucifixion of Christ2,000 years and counting “ dispensation of the fullness of the times” (Ephesians 1:10) Nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14-17) “ Dispensation of the grace Of God” (Ephesians 3:2) Ended when God gave the Law to Moses at SinaiEnded when wall of separation was removed (Ephesians 2:14)Will end when Christ returns (1 Corinthians 15:20-28) “ The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Also see Hosea 2:11 and Acts 3:21-23 b. I have seen another dispensation chart, and have sometimes used it describing the three ages as one might describe the life of a man. The Patriarchal Dispensation would be the infancy of the human race as mankind is cared for and protected by the Father speaking directly to the heads of households. It lasted about 2500 years, from creation to the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. Its history is covered from Genesis 1:1-31 to Exodus 20:1-26. i. As mankind grew and developed he grew into the adolescent stage of life. This is the Mosaic Dispensation; lasting from Exodus 20:1-26 to Christ’ s death on the cross. In Exodus 20:1-26 God gave the Ten Commandment Law to Moses and this was God’s law governing His chosen people Israel until Jesus dies on the cross. ii. In the Christian age mankind reaches adulthood as the Son of God makes the one perfect sacrifice on the cross, dying for all mankind (Hebrews 2:9). Under the Kingship of Jesus man has opportunity to become God’ s children to inherit the blessed habitation prepared from the foundation of the world. c. In looking at our Lord’ s fulfilling of the Old Law and ushering in the New, allow me to divert from the lesson momentarily. Look at Matthew 5:17 where our Lord said “ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.” Some of the modern English Bibles have “ abolish” rather than “ destroy” in this verse. The Greek word used by Matthew, according to W. E.
Vine’ s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, pg. 302, is “ KATALUO” and means “ to destroy utterly, to overthrow completely.” Whereas the word “ abolish” is from the Greek “ ,” meaning “ to reduce to inactivity” (ibid. pg. 13). Our Lord did not come to “ utterly destroy” the law or the prophets, as he was being accused of in Matthew 5:1-48. However, He did come to “ abolish,” “ reduce to inactivity” the Old Testament Law, and this is exactly what we are told that He did in Ephesians 2:15. We still have the Old Testament to read and study and gain comfort from (Romans 15:4). However, it is no longer the binding law of God for salvation. It is “ inactive” in that respect. d. I urge you to be careful when purchasing a Bible for your primary study guide. Choose one that is a true translation, and there are several. Avoid those that are paraphrases or transliterations. There are a number of good books on Bible translations available. One that I have and may still be available is “ A Handbook of Bible Translations.” This is the book of “ The Ninth Annual Shenandoah Lectures” of the Shenandoah Church of Christ, 11026 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78230; phone (210) 696-5532. Other good books on the subject may be located in any of our brotherhood book stores. e. Now back to our chart. i. The law given on Mount Sinai was nailed to the cross of Christ (Colossians 2:14-17). In this passage the inspired writer instructs us to not allow anyone to judge us “ concerning meat or drink” (Colossians 2:16); a direct referral to Israel’ s dietary laws. Nor, as the King James Version has, “ in respect of a holyday,” The New King James has “ festivals,” referring to the sacred days which the Old Testament demanded the Jews keep annually. Mention is also made of Israel’ s new moons and Sabbaths. ii. In Hosea 2:11 God informed the Hebrew nation, and all mankind, that all of these things were to be abolished. This prophecy was fulfilled when Christ nailed them to His cross. iii. Under the dispensation of Moses law the citizens of the Gentile nations were “ without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12). iv. With the establishment of Christ’ s church in Acts chapter Two, the New Testament law came into full force and the Christian dispensation began. All of mankind, both Jew and Gentile then had opportunity to be reconciled to God (cf. Ephesians 2:13-16). f. Hebrews 1:1 says, “ In times past and in different ways God spoke to the fathers by the prophets.. Again, that was under the Patriarchal and Mosaic dispensations. Verse two says, “ In these last days He has spoken to us through His Son.” The last days have now been ongoing for some 2,000 years and counting. “The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). g. Returning now to our text in Ephesians 3:2, they, and we, have heard and should know that we are no longer under the Old Testament dispensations, but are now under Christ. 5. Where had Paul written briefly of the revelation made known to him? Chapter 1:9. He said much more on this subject in 1 Corinthians 2:6-13. 6. What would take place when the Ephesians read what Paul had written? They would then understand Paul’ s knowledge of the mystery. a. More directly, they would understand how he had, by inspiration of God, received his knowledge. (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). i. In 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul speaks of “ all scripture” being given by inspiration of God. The Greek word there used for “ inspiration” literally means “ God breathed.” ii. In 1 Corinthians 2:10 he stated, “ God has revealed them (the very mysteries our text speaks of), to us through His Spirit.” He then said, “The things we also speak, not in words which man’ s wisdom teaches, but (in words is implied here) which the Holy Spirit teaches” (1 Corinthians 2:13). Thus, the Bible we read today was verbally in-spired as those “ holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). The Holy Spirit gave the very words which God the Father wished to be used. Paul informs us in 1 Corinthians 2:10 that the Holy Spirit searched God’ s mind and revealed God’ s mind to these inspired writers of the Bible. 7. How do we in the 21st century come to understand the mystery of Christ? (Verse 4). The same way of the Ephesians, by reading the God breathed Scriptures. a. Food for thought: What is a mystery? Anything that has never been made known to you. i. EXAMPLE: I have never studied and learned about electricity. How can they generate power from water to heat and light our homes is a mystery to me. But to those who have studied such, and understand the subject of hydroelectric power, it’ s not a mystery. ii. In the same way, to one who has never studied the New Testament writings revealed to the apostles and prophets of that time salvation through Jesus Christ remains a mystery. If one only reads from the Old Testament he cannot know the salvation which is in Christ Jesus. Oh yes, one will read many passages prophesying the coming of Messiah, but the fulfillment of those prophecies are found in birth, life, death resurrection, ascension and Kingship of the Christ recorded in the writings of the New Testament. iii. You will recall Apollos and the twelve Ephesians encountered by Paul and his companions Aquila and Priscilla in Acts 18:1-28; Acts 19:1-41. What did they know? Only the baptism of John, the salvation in Christ being a mystery to them. What did they do? They studied the New Testament teachings; Apollos with Aquila and Priscilla, the other twelve studied with Paul. Having thus studied the subject it was no longer a mystery to them and they all responded by obedience to the gospel of Christ. iv. Likewise, today, for those who take the time to study in the right manner, learning to divide aright the teachings of the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15), the salvation offered through the only begotten Son of God is not a mystery. 8. Why has the mystery been revealed? (Verse 6). That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel. a. According to Romans 1:16, what is the gospel? It is “ the power of God unto salvation” to every human being who receives His salvation through Christ. 9. Who is to see what the fellowship of the mystery is? (Verse 9). ALL PEOPLE. “ To make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery.” 10. In Paul’ s day, who would comprise “ all” ? Jew and Gentile. a. In this letter Paul is writing to Christians who were descended from Gentile heritage (cf. Ephesians 2:11). But God’ s desire is that the Jews also recognize that the blood of Jesus was shed for all men (Hebrews 2:9). Christ’ s gospel is God’ s power to save “ all them that believe, to the Jew first, but also the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Greek here refers to Gentiles. b. The Jews first heard the gospel preached at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47), then sometime later Peter opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles (Greeks) when he was sent to the household of Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48) and 11). 11. How is the manifold wisdom of God to be made known to all men? (Verse 10). By the church. 12. Explain the importance is the church to salvation. Without the church to carry out the Great Commission to “ preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:16), there would be no salvation, and no “ body of believers” to which the Lord could add those who are being saved (cf. Acts 2:47). a. Of course He could place them anywhere He wished, but the fact remains that it was God’ s design from the beginning of time to build His church as the one and only place for His called out people to serve Him. 13. To whom is the church to make God’ s manifold wisdom known? (Verse 10). To principalities and powers in the heavenly places. a. David Lipscomb, in the Gospel Advocate Commentary, page 60, says these are differing orders of angelic beings. But that cannot be. The church is made up of mortal human beings. Mortal human beings do not teach heaven’ s angels, just as heaven’ s angels do not teach humans the gospel (cf. Acts 8:26). It is God’ s design that people teach people (cf. Acts 8:35). b. In our comments on chapter 1:3 we said the heavenly places wherein all of God’ s spiritual blessings are found would be # 1, the Israelites nation under the Old Testament dispensation. And # 2, the church in the New Testament dispensation. That is where “ ALL” of God’ s spiritual blessings are to be found. i. This being true, the heavenly places in chapter 3:10 would be the same. I am more inclined to believe the principalities and powers would be church leaders. Read the qualifications of church leaders which God placed in 1 Timothy 3:1-16 and Titus 1:1-16; they are to be taught the manifold wisdom of God to the point of spiritual maturity in or-der to lead God’ s people in the right way. This is the responsibility of the church to teach and prepare such men for that role. ii. One might argue that Paul says “ heavenly places” plural, and the church is singular. My thought is that the plurality is referring to the many congregations which make up the brotherhood. iii. Every congregation of every succeeding generation must strive to train men to the leadership role as soon as possible, and this meets the criteria of Eph 3:10; 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. 14. From what source does the church receive its name? (Verse 14). From the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. a. God Himself gave the church of Christ its name. Through the prophet Isaiah, God said, “ For Zion’ s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’ s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name” (Isaiah 62:1-2). 15. Give five names by which the church is called in the New Testament. Urge your students to not stop with five, but search the Scriptures for all of God’ s designations for His church, of which there are at least seventeen. a. The temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). Why would the church be called the temple of God? Because God dwells therein (John 14:17). b. The kingdom of God (John 3:5; Luke 22:16). A kingdom requires that there be a king and subjects. God the Son (Christ) is the King, we are His subjects. c. The kingdom of God’ s dear Son (Colossians 1:13). The King of kings governs His kingdom by His word (cf. John 12:46-50). d. The kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19). e. The kingdom which cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). f. The body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). g. The church (Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 5:23-32; Colossians 1:18). The Greek word translated “ church” is “ ” meaning “ the called out.” In Scripture it is used to identify the body of believers who have been called out of the world into a special relation-ship with God’ s Son, Jesus. In Hebrews 2:12 “ ekklesia” is translated “ church” in the King James Version. The New King James renders it “ assembly,” while the American Standard 1901 has “ congregation.” h. The church of the Lord (Acts 20:28). It is His! He owns it! He purchased it with His own blood! i. The church of the living God (1 Timothy 3:15). j. The church of God (1 Corinthians 1:2). k. The church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:23). l. The churches of Christ (Romans 16:16). This refers to congregations located in different regions, not different denominations teaching different doctrines (cf. John 17:20-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Galatians 1:6-9). The singular would be church of Christ. m. The house of God (1 Timothy 3:15). Compare this verse to that house which Isaiah prophesied to be established in the last days (Isaiah 2:2 ff). n. The family (Ephesians 3:14-15). o. The household of God (Ephesians 2:19). p. The household of faith (Galatians 6:10). q. The way (Acts 24:14-22). i. None of these are proper names; rather each designates some work or relationship to the Godhead. ii. “…The disciples were called Christian first at Antioch” (Acts 11:26). One would be profited to continue this study by looking at names designated to Christ’ s disciples, noting that many of the modern denominational names are not to be found in Scripture, neither are there “ hyphenated Christians” such as attaching the name of a man or religious act to the name Christian. This action was condemned in 1 Corinthians 1:12-13; why should we think God would approve of such today? 16. What makes a church the church of Christ? The fact that He purchased it (Acts 20:28), and built it (Matthew 16:18). a. This is true, but just the fact that a group wears the name doesn’ t make it the true church. No doubt there are many who would condemn anyone who does not have the name “ Church of Christ” on their meeting house. i. The fact is there is no passage where God demands that we wear just one name. If there is such a passage, would someone please show it to me! However, He does demand that we honor Him and His Son Jesus Christ in our religious life. Which, by-the-way is all of life. And He does demand that we wear a name which He has named, Therefore any of the names mentioned above are just as scriptural as “ church of Christ” because they are all given by Him in His Word. ii. That which designates a church to belong to Christ is the teachings presented within. It must teach only the Bible without any alterations. God has always demanded that man not add to or delete from His Sacred Word (cf. Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Galatians 1:8-9; Revelation 22:18-19). iii. A church who receives much of their teachings from creed books, catechisms, church manuals and other uninspired books which contradict Biblical teachings can-not be His church. iv. We must be able to trace our teachings to the New Testament, and give a “ thus smith the Lord” with book, chapter and verse for each tenant of doctrine. “ Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor bid him God speed. For he who bids him God speed is partaker in his evil deed” (2 John 1:9-11). Can it be made any plainer than that? “ Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).
Whatever we teach “ in word” and whatever we do in action “ in deed” must have Christ’ s authority from His Holy Word, else it falls into the category of “ doctrines of men” (cf. Matthew 15:8-9). 17. What part of man does Paul stress that needs strengthening? (Verse 16). The inner man. 18. What will cause one to be able to comprehend the fullness of Christ’ s love? Christ dwelling 19. in the heart by faith. 20. How much is God able to do through us? Above all that we ask or think. 21. How long must we continue teaching the manifold wisdom of God? (Verse 21). “ To all generations” or as the King James renders it, “ throughout all ages.” a. Notice that although we look a number of other issues in these verses, the context of verse ten, “ the manifold wisdom of God (being) made known by the church” extends on through chapter four.