Mystery of God’s Grace
August 19, 2022
Commentary
God treated me with kindness (v. 7). His power worked in me, and it became my calling to spread the good news. Paul said, “I am the least important of all God’s people” (v. 8). Yet God chose him to tell the Gentiles that because of Christ there are blessings beyond measure. God, who created everything, wanted Paul to help everyone understand the mysterious plan that had long been hidden in His mind (v. 9). Through the Church, God would reveal to the powers and authorities in the spiritual world His many kinds of wisdom (v. 10).
God did this according to His eternal plan (v. 11). He carried it out through all that Christ Jesus our Lord had done. Christ now gives us courage and confidence so that we can come to God by faith (v. 12). Paul then said, “You should not be discouraged because of my sufferings for you; they are for your glory” (v. 13). What a beautiful reminder that God’s purposes continue even in pain or hardship.
Paul never forgot that God’s Spirit had touched his life despite who he was and what he had done to Christians. It was only God’s grace that could transform a Pharisee into an apostle and a persecutor into a minister of the gospel. He was overwhelmed by God’s grace and said he was “less than the least of all saints” (v. 8). This did not destroy his confidence or zeal but placed both fully in the Lord, not himself. Many believers confuse meek-ness with weakness, yet true humility gives strength. Paul urged the Ephesian Christians not to be discouraged or lose heart. His imprisonment did not mean that God’s Word was limited or that His plan had failed. God’s grace was still at work, both in Paul’s chains and through them.
Application
When I think about God’s grace, am I still amazed like Paul was? I did noth-ing to deserve His kindness, yet He chose me to share His love with others. How can I serve Him humbly and joyfully today? Even when life feels limited or unfair, I will trust and thank God for His grace that is still working through me for His glory.
Ephesians 3:7–13 (NET)
7 I became a servant of this gospel according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the exercise of his power. 8 To me—less than the least of all the saints —this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ 9 and to enlighten everyone about God’s secret plan —the mystery that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things. 10 The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access to God by way of Christ’s faithfulness. 13 For this reason I ask you not to lose heart because of what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
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