Lesson 6: The Mystery of Christ is Paul’s Ministry (Ephesians 3:1-13)
God gifted Paul with the ministry to proclaim the good news of the mystery of Christ to the gentiles, and Paul is a prisoner for their sake. Paul is a servant of the gospel to declare the multi-faceted wisdom of God in the Messiah to the powers, and this mission is carried out through the church. The church proclaims the mystery of Christ to the powers; the church speaks truth to power for the sake of the reconciliation of all things in Christ.
Paul is a servant (diakonos) of the gospel. This is the reason Paul suffers, and the church must not grow faint in the mission but embrace the glory of the mystery, the glory of suffering itself. Paul’s suffering, as much of a hardship as it is, is for the sake of the gentiles, and his suffering is their glory!
Resource: Mark Owens, “The Purpose of Ephesians 3:2-13,” Southeastern Theological Review (2023): 1-21.
Context
The cosmic agenda in new creation through the mystery of God means the glory of the enthroned Messiah fills his body and the cosmos (Eph 1:9-10, 22-23). This creates cosmic unity in the body of the Messiah as one new human through a renewal of God’s temple-dwelling in his body (Eph 2:11-22).
What is the Function of 3:2-13 in the Letter
- Digression: it is a “long parenthesis” (Kirby) that is superfluous to the argument of the letter, or an apostolic defense Paul’s gentile mission (Lincoln; Arnold).
- Explanation: given the triumph of God’s Messiah over the powers (Eph 1:20-2:22), this section addresses why Paul is in prison. Answer: Paul is an agent of divine triumph over the powers through his ministry (Gombis) and/or Paul’s imprisonment does not threaten God’s eschatological plan (Sherwood).
- Missional Participation: Paul encourages the Ephesians to participate in the purpose (mission) of God rather than being discouraged by his imprisonment and giving up what God is doing through the church. It is a plea for perseverance (Owens).
The Structure of 3:2-13
For this reason (3:1; τούτου χάριν): I, Paul, am a prisoner for (ὑπὲρ) you gentiles.
I am graced (χάριτος) with managing (οἰκονομίαν) the mystery to the gentiles.
That mystery was revealed to Paul, and he writes to share his understanding.
The mystery was once hidden but now revealed.
The mystery is that the gentiles have become fellow-heirs and sharers in the promise with Israel through the gospel.
Paul is graced as a servant of this gospel according to God’s power.
I am graced
to proclaim the good news the boundless riches of Christ to the gentiles, and
to bring to light the mystery previously hidden in God who created all things,
so that (ἵνα)
God’s wisdom might be made known to the powers through the church.
This was God’s eternal purpose which he carried out in Jesus the Messiah,
in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence
through faith in him.
Therefore, I pray that you do not lose heart over my sufferings for (ὑπὲρ) you.
They are your glory!
For this reason (3:14; τούτου χάριν): I bow my knees before the Father.
The gracing (gifting) of the church is a primary topic following Paul’s prayer (4:7-15).