Ephesians 3 - Daily Study Questions
Ephesians 3 - Daily Study Questions
1. Eph 3:1-3. What does Paul say about himself in these 3 verses—what condition was he in (v1), what God-given role did he have (v2), and what had God revealed to him (v3)? In what sense was he a “steward” (trustee) of God’s mystery? What are we “stewarding” for God? / Paul was a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of “you” Gentiles (the Ephesians, and others, to whom he was writing). His role was to be a steward of God’s grace that had been given to him for their sakes. This “grace” was Paul’s knowledge of “the mystery” which had been revealed to him. As Paul had explained in Eph 2:11-22 God had revealed to him that Gentiles and Jews who had believed in Christ would become one new “man” (a new humanity) through Christ’s sacrifice at the cross. God had made Paul a steward of this revelation; as a steward he had been entrusted with this to guard it and use it wisely, just as a good trustee of an investment account would do. A trustee is responsible to grow the investment, not just let it sit there; in the same way Paul was responsible to invest this gospel of salvation to both Jews and Gentiles in Christ so that more and more were added to the account. We should be doing the same thing with all that has been entrusted to us - our time, money, relationships, possessions, and selves – but especially the gospel that has been entrusted to us. Like the parable of the talents we should seek to grow God’s investment entrusted to us while He is away so that when He returns there will be more than what He gave us.2. Eph 3:4-6. What was this “mystery” that God had revealed to Paul (v6—see also 1:9-10)? Why was it special that Paul understood it (v5), and why is the truth of this mystery so important to us as Gentiles (v6)? / The mystery that God had revealed to Paul was that not only would Jews and Gentiles be brought together to become one new humanity in Christ, but that all things would eventually be summed up in Him. Other generations of prophets (Old Testament) had not completely understood this, and were actually very curious as to the full meaning of the prophecies they had given. To Paul’s generation, though, the apostles and prophets had been given this revelation, one that centered specifically on the blessings of the Gentiles in the plan of God by virtue of Christ. By being in Christ Jesus through the gospel (v6) Gentiles are fellow heirs of God’s inheritance, which is primarily eternal life with Him; they are fellow members (with the Jews) of the body – referring to the Body of Christ, the Church; and they are fellow partakers of the promise. This could refer generally to eternal life, or the bodily resurrection to eternal life, or to the Holy Spirit who is Christ in us, the hope of glory (Col 1:27). The Holy Spirit in us is what makes operative everything else, and it is a key element of the New Covenant which would enable those in it to walk according to God’s Law and to each know the Lord.
3. Eph 3:7-10. How does Paul express his humility in these verses (v7, 8)? What was God’s purpose for his life (v8, 9) and why do you think it humbled him? What is God’s ultimate purpose (v10)? Write about a time when the realization of God’s purpose for your life humbled you. / Paul first described himself humbly as a minister, which means a servant, according to the gift of God’s grace. So, he was not only a servant, but he considered this a privilege, a result of God’s unmerited favor towards him. This calling was possible only according to the working of God’s power, because he had been a rebel against God, opposed to His purposes in Christ on the earth. He also said he was the “very least of all saints” and as such was given this grace, to preach the unfathomable riches of Christ to the Gentiles. So, Paul’s ability came from God, his calling came from God, and his service was a privilege given to him by God. He claimed none of it as his doing. When he considered God’s purpose for his life, to preach the unfathomable riches of Christ to Gentiles so that all the world would know Him, this magnificent purpose humbled him; he was unworthy of this. Furthermore, when he thought of the revelation that he had been given to reveal to others – that which had been hidden to all other generations, but now was made known – he couldn’t take in the fact that he was the one chosen to do this. God’s purpose, according to vss. 9-10, is that His manifold (complete, multi-faceted) wisdom might be made known through the church to all rulers and authorities in the heavens, i.e., the angelic realm, including fallen angels. The Church is God’s channel through which the revelation of His purpose would be displayed, pointing to His complete wisdom. Thus, the church, consisting of redeemed Jews and Gentiles, has the purpose of revealing God’s mystery - that all things will be summed up in Christ. Paul couldn’t “get over” that God had revealed this to him. Similarly, when we finally realize how God wants to use us and what He has revealed to us that others don’t understand, it is a very humbling, and yet inspiring experience. We also must never “get over” the fact that God wants to use us to promote His plan and purpose on this earth.
4. Eph 3:11-13. How did God’s purpose for Paul fit under His eternal purpose revealed in v.10 (v11)? What does this say about His individual purpose for each of us? What does our relationship with Christ do for us (v12) and for each other (v13)? / God’s eternal purpose was to sum up all things in Christ so that His wisdom and glory in the Church and in Christ could be manifested to the entire angelic realm, along with all creation. The purpose God had given to Paul was to bring all mankind together in Christ through the cross so that one new humanity could worship Christ and magnify God’s glory in Him. The supreme manifestation of God’s glory is through Christ, and the supreme glory of Christ is on display through His redeeming and unifying work in mankind as He builds His church. Thus, each person must realize that their purpose is the glory of God in Christ and that the instrument through which this is most greatly seen is in the Church. Therefore, we not only magnify Him individually, but we most clearly glorify Him with others together in His Church. Our relationship with Christ gives us access to God; so much so that we should be confident and bold, even when we see persecution occurring in ourselves or others. We are winning the battle when persecution happens because it means the enemy is trying to resist his certain defeat.
5. Eph 3:14-17. Why did Paul pray for the Ephesians (v14) and what did he pray for them (v16)? What was the purpose of this prayer (v17)? How did he describe the God to whom he prayed (v15) and why do you think he did? / Paul prayed “for this reason” – the reason he had just explained, that God had given him (and us) a stewardship of the mystery of summing all things up in Christ through the message of the gospel. He also prayed that they would not be discouraged as they looked at his chains, but would dwell in faith and love, as he goes on to say. No one should be destroyed when their leader is limited; rather each of us should be growing into that role as well, ready to take the baton. He prayed that they would be “strengthened (able to overcome resistance) with power by the Spirit in their inner man” with the purpose that Christ would dwell (an intensive form, meaning to really feel at home) in their hearts by faith. He described this God before whom he bowed as the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. This tells us that “family” is God’s basic structure, whether of angels, animals, or mankind and that each one has a “father”. The very concept of “father” is rooted in the Fatherhood, or fatherly nature of God Himself. Paul had just referenced the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles, both grouped according to their families, although very different and separate. However, since both received their families from the ultimate Father, they are now able to be one in The Father. In other words, in God we all become one family under his Fatherhood when we know Christ.
6. Eph 3:18-19. What does it mean to you to “be filled up to all the fullness of God” (v19)? What 3 things must we do to be able to experience this fullness (v17, 18, 19)? Explain how you could put that into practice on an ongoing basis. / Since Christ is in us, and in Him the “fullness of the Godhead dwells” (Col 1:19) then in a positional sense God’s fullness already dwells in us. So, this is really a prayer that we would allow this fullness to really “fill us up”, to experience the presence of God in a full way. To experience this fullness we must have faith, we must be rooted and grounded in love as we comprehend in small measure the immensity of love of Christ, and we must “know” the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge (have the personal experience of knowing Christ and His love). So, faith is necessary – that God is real and that His promises are certain – a measure of understanding of Christ’s love is necessary, and an experiential knowledge of this love as our relationship with Him grows. This is the key to spiritual maturity – being full of faith and very aware of the love of Christ – so that we receive all His fullness. It is our lack of faith and acceptance of Christ’s love that keeps us from spiritual maturity, so we must keep studying the Word and meditating on His love for us. Then, we must practice it so that we believe it even more.
7. Eph 3:20-21. What “promise to claim” is found in these verses (v20) and what is its basis (v20)? Think of one specific issue you are facing that you could apply that to and what that looks like to you. What is the ultimate purpose of this promise (v21)? / The promise from God is that He is able to do far more abundantly beyond all we ask or think – according to the power that works within us. This power is the resurrection power (Eph 1:19-20) that is able to accomplish things beyond our human understanding or imagination. This is a relief since otherwise we would be limiting God severely. The way this works is to bring a particular issue we are facing to the Lord and ask Him to answer the need, without limiting what He could do by how we might envision it being handled. We must remember, though, that the ultimate purpose of this promise is that God would be glorified in the church and in Christ Jesus – to all generations forever and ever. Thus, the primary means of God’s glory forever is both Christ Jesus and the Church, showing us just how important it is to actively be committed to the Church as well as Christ. A corollary to this thought is that although God is able to do far beyond what we ask or imagine, the gift from God is not primarily for us, but for His glory. We must never keep the blessing for ourselves but realize that it is to be utilized to bring glory to God.