Daily Devotional Wednesday 23rd September 2020
by William Moody
Ephesians 3:1–13
The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
3:1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 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. 6 This mystery is1 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in2 God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
(ESV)
In the New Testament a mystery was something which previously had been hidden but has been made known by God. This reminds us that spiritual truth is not discovered by ourselves but rather revealed to us by God.
Paul focuses here on the great mystery which has now been revealed, the bringing in of the Gentiles to be heirs and members of the same body as the Jews (v1-6).
Paul speaks of how this is achieved through his ministry to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (v7-8). Gentiles like Jews are brought into the family of God through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ.
This ministry has been given to Paul by God’s grace. Paul is so aware of the great privilege in being involved in this ministry.
God’s great plan for the church in bringing Jew and Gentile together is to put on display the manifold wisdom of God (v10).
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