Ephesians- Chapter 3- Lesson 3- Verses 9-13

Verse 9
I) And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery.  Note 4 things:
•    In verse 3, the mystery was revealed to him
•    In verse 7 he was made a minister of the mystery
•    In verse 8 he was to preach the riches of the mystery
•    In verse 9 he is to make men see the fellowship of           the mystery
A)   The last point gives the purpose of preaching, that is to make men see.  See Acts 26:18.
B)   The fellowship, one has wittingly defined this word as two fellows in a ship.  This is the idea:
1)  The Church is no more Jew and Gentile but one new entity, so now there is Jew, Gentile and the Church of God. Ephesians 2: 15 One new man
2) Our bodies temples of the Holy Ghost. 1 Corinthians 6: 19. Now the new man created at salvation and the Holy Ghost live together in one ship (our body).
3)  This is the fellowship, no barriers between brethren, no barriers between God and His children.
4) This is the unsearchable riches of Christ, it is He who makes all else possible.
II) Which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God.  Israel’s rejection of Christ did not catch God by surprise, the church had been in the mind of God before the world was created. See Romans 11 and 12.
Some has said “in heaven there is no panic, only plans”.
III) Who created all things by Jesus Christ. See John 1: 1-3; Colossians 1: 15-17.
Verse 10
I) To the intent… might be known.
A)   Intent – purpose, goal, end result.
B)   Might be known- the intent was to reveal something in its fullness.
C)   That now- “in the dispensation of the fullness of times” Ephesians 1: 10.  It had been in the mind of God all along, but now the time to reveal it had come.
1)  Man’s failure under every condition, form Eden, to patriarch, to law, to covenant had proved him sinful and unable to please God and render himself righteous.
2)  Now God who step into human history as a man and do for man what he could not do for himself. Hebrews 2: 14
3)  In Christ we have the perfect obedience required and the perfect sacrifice demanded. See 2 Corinthians 5: 21 and John 1: 29.
D) Unto principalities and powers, here are the ones targeted, unto which something was to be revealed.
1)  Principalities- chief, head.  See Titus 3: 1.
2) Powers- Speaks of ability, authority, rulership.
3) In heavenly places.  Satan is the Prince of the power of the air, the god of this present evil world. See Jude 6.
a) These are said to not have kept their first estate.  The idea behind “kept” is they did not put the proper estimation on it therefore they gave it up for something else.  Much like Esau who despised is birthright, selling it for something of no value.
b) These surrendered their estate in the presence of God to follow one who promised to make them higher, to be their own gods.
E) By the church the manifold wisdom of God.
1) By the church- this is the agency through which God’s uncomprehendable wisdom will be revealed.
See 1 Corinthians 1: 27-28.
2) The manifold- many, various kind and number
3) Wisdom- knowledge is knowing how something works, understanding is knowing how to apply that knowledge, wisdom is knowing how and when to apply it to accomplish the best ends.
4) Of God- a perfect God demands perfect wisdom.
Verse 11
I) According to the eternal purpose-Again stressing the foreknowledge of God
II) Which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord- again the riches of Christ come into view as all things are accomplished in him.
Verse 12
I) In whom we have boldness and access.
A) Boldness- absence of fear to approach God and obtain mercy. Hebrews 6: 17-20; 10: 19 and 4: 16.  Not because of anything in ourselves but we know we have been accepted in HIM.
B) Access- the way to the throne has been opened to us. Hebrews 10: 19-21 and 9: 6-26; John 14: 6.
II) With confidence by the faith of him.
A) With confidence- assurance- because we come with a promise. John 16:22-27; Hebrews 6:17-20.
B) By the faith of him- We obtain because he obtained for us.  It was his complete obedience, even unto death that secures our victory and access.
1) Acts 2: 22 “which God did by him” speaking of the miracles: “whom God raised up” speaking of the resurrection.  God did and God raised because by faith Jesus committed his life to the Father.
2) It is important to remember that Jesus did not come to live his life as a man as God, but as a man with faith in God.
3) Matthew 14: 22-31- remember the above statement when you read verse 31.  Wherefore didst thou doubt:  he walked on the water not as God but as man with total trust in God.
4) Think of Israel when they crossed the Red Sea, it was Moses who led them across, it was his faith they were following.
5) Now think of James 1: 5-8, “nothing doubting”, remember all things God recorded are for our learning.  What are we learning, that God is faithful and can and should be trusted totally.
It his faith that makes our faith possible.
Verse 13
I) Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you.
A) Paul was not looking for sympathy
B) Paul did not mention his afflictions to warn them to be cautious.
C) Paul did want them to understand that what he suffered was in the manifold wisdom of God that which was best for them.
II) Which is your glory.
A) The fact that God would allow his choice servant to be imprisoned for their benefit displayed their worth.
B) John 17: 6-15, note the things Jesus said he did for those the Father loved and considered an honor to give to his Son as a bride.  Gems are only as valuable as the price someone is willing to pay for it.