Ephesians 3:11-13

This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Ephesians 3:11-13

It is in Christ Jesus our Lord that "we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him".  We were once dead in our trespasses and sins and children of wrath.  We had no right standing before God.  However, we were made alive together with Christ.  We were raised up with him and seated with him.  We were reconciled to God and it is through him that we have access to the father.  Jesus became our righteousness and on the basis of his righteousness we have a right standing before God.  We can come before him without shame or fear.  As Paul says here, we can have boldness and access with confidence.  There is nothing to fear because of Jesus.

Paul has been telling them about how he's a prisoner and about the mystery that was made known.  Paul was made a minister of the gospel, given the privilege of serving God by spreading the Good News.  Paul sees some of the fruit and purposes of this duty.  This job he has been doing is to bring to light for everyone this mystery that was hidden.  He is preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ.  There is a greater purpose of the manifold wisdom of God being made known to the angelic rulers and authorities.  From all this, I understand Paul to be saying that this is a great joy to him and it has a purpose beyond just his suffering.  This is probably why he encourages them "not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you".  He tells them that this suffering "is your glory".  They should feel honored because of it.  I assume that he is in prison for spreading the gospel.  I guess in that sense it is because of them and/or for them.

Ephesians 3:10-11

so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

-Ephesians 3:10-11

Paul, "the least of all the saints", was made a minister of the gospel.  He is given the privilege to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.  This is described as "the unsearchable riches of Christ".  He is to bring to light what is hidden.  This is described as "the mystery hidden for ages in God".  God has kept this hidden but now it is being revealed.  What is the purpose?  "so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places".  The purpose is for God's wisdom to be made known.  Specifically, it is to be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.  AMP adds "[angelic]" to describe the rulers and authorities.  God's wisdom is put on display for the purpose of showing it to these heavenly rulers and authorities.  For what purpose?  Well, Paul goes on to tell us that "this was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord".  So, I don't fully understand, but Paul seems to point out that it's according to God's purpose.  What's interesting is that it is through the church that God's wisdom is being made known.  The church becomes the object or the vehicle for which to display God's wisdom.  I guess I'm selling it short by just saying "God's wisdom" because it's worded as "the manifold wisdom of God".

Ephesians 3:7-9

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. 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, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,

-Ephesians 3:7-9

It's not as if Paul took charge on his own, taking it upon himself to tell others the gospel.  Well, yes, he does go around and tell others about Jesus.  But, I mean to say that it was originally and initially given to him by God's grace.  NLT puts it this way, "By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News".  Spreading the gospel is a privilege and it is given by God's grace and power.  It is an act of service to God.  He instructs us in such a way and we honor and love him in obedience.  It's a sad thing when I cower away from spreading the good news, but it happens and I'm ashamed.

Paul tells us more about spreading the good news.  It is described as "the unsearchable riches of Christ".  How amazing is that?  How beautiful does that sound?  It is so sweet.  It is, as Paul tells us, "to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things".  It brings light to those who are in darkness.  We used to be in darkness and someone brought that light to us.  This certainly is a privilege, to serve God in this way and bring his light to others.

Paul even makes mention of his lowly state, saying "though I am the very least of all the saints".  It is such a great honor and grace to him that he has been given this privilege.  It's such a big deal to him considering that he sees himself as "the least of all the saints".  God would even look down to the least of all the saints and bestow upon him this privilege.

Ephesians 3:1-6

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles- assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 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. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

-Ephesians 3:1-6

Paul starts off this chapter with "For this reason".  What is he referring to?  I'm guessing he's talking about all that he was going over in the last chapter.  AMP makes it clear what Paul is referring to, "For this reason [because I preach that you and believing Jews are joint heirs]".  The point Paul has been making and is now referring back to is that you (he's addressing Gentiles) and believing Jews are joint heirs.  There is no longer distinction or separation, but Christ has become our peace and broken down the wall of hostility.

Paul mentions that he is "a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles".  This is one of the prison epistles, meaning that he probably wrote this while he was in prison.  What's interesting is that he is a prisoner for Christ Jesus.  What does he mean by this?  Is he simply referring to the reason why he was in prison in the first place?  Is he going a bit further, talking about how he is a slave to Jesus?  I don't think he means that he is Jesus' slave, though that is true and he talks about it elsewhere.  I think he would've used a different word instead of prisoner if that's what he meant.  I think he's talking about the reason for his imprisonment, but I think his meaning is a bit more than that.  Perhaps it points to the fact that he is owned by Jesus regardless of whether he is in prison or free.  Then again, I'm not too sure.  Regardless, he is in prison and somehow this is to the benefit of the Gentiles he is addressing.  What is the benefit?  Perhaps the benefit is that he can tell them about what he has been talking about?

Apparently, Paul has been given by God "special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles".  Paul also speaks about this elsewhere.  Moreover, Paul has been given revelation about this, his mission.  Paul seems to be pointing back to a lot of things that have happened to him.  He is making clear his mission and how he received it.  This thing is what he calls "the mystery of Christ".  This certainly is a mystery because he hasn't been revealed until now.

So, what is the mystery?  Paul states it very clearly, "that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel".  This is pretty much what he has been talking about back in Chapter two.  I wonder why Paul is now talking about the same thing in a different way?  What's the point in all of this?  As we read more and more, I pray that God will reveal that.

Ephesians 2:19-22

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

-Ephesians 2:19-22

I find this a little confusing, but let's walk through this and see where we get.  As a result of what Paul has talked about so far, he goes on to say that those now brought near are those who are "members of the household of God".  Moreover, they are "fellow citizens with the saints".  One new man has been created and there peace so that even the Gentiles can be brought in together with the saints.  NLT puts it this way, "You are members of God's family".

From here, Paul moves on to talk more about "the household of God".  Though it is at first mentioned like a family, it is now moreso referred to as an actual house or home building.  This home has a foundation, which is "the apostles and prophets".  Because of the apostles and prophets, this house could be built, since a house needs a foundation to be build properly.  The most important part about this house is that Christ Jesus is the cornerstone.  The corner stone extremely important and is what the house depends on.  Christ Jesus, the cornerstone, is "in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord".  Jesus really is important to this house and Paul makes it clear, just in case being referred to as the cornerstone wasn't enough.  It is through Jesus that the structure grows or becomes a holy temple for God.

We are not only members of God's family, but we are now part of his house.  We are his house, or at least that is what we grow into or become part of.  Perhaps I don't fully get it, but we do see that this happens because of Jesus by his Spirit.  If I think about the things that the Spirit does, it makes me think of the Spirit's work after Jesus is gone.  I think of sanctification, which I guess we read from here is part of what causes us to be built together into a dwelling place for God.  It's important to note that this isn't just you alone, but together.  It's interesting to see the pictures or illustrations that God uses to tell us things.  I think that as we dwell upon them and ask God for wisdom and understanding, he may tell us more and more.  It's cool to think that we are becoming something worthy for God to dwell in, in some sense.

Ephesians 2:16-21

and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

-Ephesians 2:16-21

Maybe I should've just continued on for a few more verses last time.  Oh well, let's continue.

Obviously, Paul is still talking about this whole Jew and Gentile thing and what Jesus did.  I think what's interesting to note is that peace is preached to both.  It's not as if the Jews had it all.  Peace is preached to both and both have been reconciled to God.

Paul once again reminds the Gentiles of their past state and their present state, "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God".  The point to remember in this joyous news is that Jesus is the center of attention "Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone".  We remember that it is not by our works, but grace through faith that we are saved.  There is this new idea or image of "the household of God".  We are members of God's household and Jesus is the cornerstone.  We once again see the centrality of Christ in this image.  Apart from Christ, we cannot be members of the household of God.

Ephesians 2:13-16

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Ephesians 2:13-16

Those who were once far off have now been brought near.  They are brought near by the blood of Christ.  This is done by the fact that Christ himself is our peace.  This means that there was hostility or conflict between Jews and Gentiles.  But now, that hostility is gone because he is our peace.  By making both Jews and Gentiles into one, there is no longer hostility.  There isn't a distinction anymore.  Paul goes on to explain this further, saying " that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility".  I'm jumping a little bit here, but we see that making two into one makes peace.  Also, reconciling both Jews and Gentiles to God is what kills the hostility.

There are a lot of ideas here or points in what Christ has done and what has been done in this whole thing.  Yes, Gentiles are brought near by Christ's blood and he is our peace.  He creates one out of two (Gentiles and Jews) and reconciles both Jews and Gentiles to God.  One way to sum it if up is what is said at the beginning of verse 15, "by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances".  This is how all this is done.  It is still by his blood and he is still our peace and he still creates one out of two and reconciles both of them to God.

So, what does this mean?  I have been thinking about this for a while and at first I feel as if Jesus' words in Matthew 5 contradict, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them".  But, though at first seeming contradictory, I think they're actually quite different.  Yes, Jesus does fulfill the law and thus becomes the perfect sacrifice.  But it's different here in Ephesians 2.  AMP puts it this way, "by abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the hostility caused by the Law with its commandments contained in ordinances [which He satisfied];".  It's not that he abolished the law, otherwise it's contradictory to Matthew 5.  Instead, AMP gives more insight in telling us that Jesus abolished the hostility caused by the Law.  What is the hostility caused by the law?  Well, if Paul is talking about hostility between Jews and Gentiles, I think of the fact that the Jews have the law and the Gentiles do not.  In fact, it might have been something the Jews wrongfully prided themselves in.  They did in fact pride themselves in being descendants of Abraham in a few occurrences in the New Testament.  Perhaps there was a hostility in the fact that the Gentiles had no access to God because of the keeping of the law which they did not have.  But the keeping of the law to be made right with God is now done away with by the blood of Christ.  As we just read in the first part of Ephesians 2, it is by grace through faith that we are saved, not by works.  What are the works he was referring to that we are not saved by?  It is not by works of the law that you might be made right before God.  So now, Gentiles are brought near because all have access to Jesus.  He paid the price and died for all, not just Jews.  There is no longer hostility, but peace, "for he himself is our peace".

Ephesians 2:11-13

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

-Ephesians 2:11-13

This part begins with the word "Therefore".  He is referring back to all that stuff he just went over in verses 1-10.  Addressing the reader, he tells them that they were dead and rightfully deserving of God's wrath.  However, God stepped in and saved them by grace through faith.  He ends the section by telling them how we (ones saved by grace) are his workmanship and were created for good works.  The word "therefore" in verse 11 calls back to verses 1-10.  Because of what they once were and what they are now because of God's saving grace, they are to "remember that you were separated from Christ".  They are to remember their previous hopeless state before being saved.  Paul also reminds them that they have been "brought near by the blood of Christ".  They used to be far but now have been brought near.

What's important to note is that Paul is singling out specific people, not just those saved by grace.  Specifically, he is addressing Gentiles who have been saved.  This is very important to note because of the point that Paul is making.  He makes sure to make it clear who he is addressing, reminding them that they are "called 'the uncircumcision' by what is called the circumcision".  Moreover, he reminds them that they were "alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise".  This goes beyond just saying that they were dead in their trespasses and sins.  Paul is pointing out the distinction and separation between the Jewish people and Gentiles.  Gentiles really had no hope and had no access to God and his promises.  However, an amazing thing has happened.  Gentiles have now been brought near.  This was quite a big thing to happen (and quite unimaginable too).  But it is true and has happened.  How has this happened?  It has happened "by the blood of Christ".  How precious is the blood of Christ.  Thank God.  Most of us are Gentiles and it's probably hard to fully understand this whole thing.  Praise be to God that I have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:1-10

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

-Ephesians 2:1-10

I know there are different ways to organize this into a chiasm, but I guess this is the way I see it and have seen it first (I think).  Hopefully it's helpful...

A1 (v1-2)
Dead in sin

B1 (v3)
Desrving of wrath, because of what we have done

C1 (v4)
God is rich in mercy

D1 (v5)
Made alive together with Christ

E (v5)
Saved by grace

D2 (v6)
Raised with Christ

C2 (V7)
God is rich in grace

B2 (v8-9)
Saved by grace because of what God did

A2 (v10)
Walk in good works

This one has "Saved by grace" at the center of the chiasm.  I just found another one that put "But God" at the center of the chiasm.  To me, I had thought that having "But God" at the center made more sense.  I'm not too sure which one is right, but either way, I think it's pretty cool.

I guess I can put up the other one.  I found it from some moody church in Chicago.

A: And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked,

[We used to live in sin]

B: following the course/age of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

[We were followers of the age of this world and the devil, believing the lie that we were blessed but were enslaved to sin]

C: among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the bodyand the mind,

[We lived among the sinners of this world, in the lusts of our flesh, in the world itself]

D: and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

[We were objects of God’s coming wrath]

E: But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

[The central idea/focal point of the chiasm: “But God”, because of His mercy and love, saved us]

+D: even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

[We are objects of God’s saving grace]

+C: and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

[We are seated now (in righteousness) with Christ Jesus in heaven]

+B: so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

[We are following Christ through whom we will receive eternal blessings from God, having been saved by grace through faith.]

+A: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

[Now we live for God, walking the good works He has prepared for us]

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

-Ephesians 2:10

I'm not entirely sure what to make of this last verse in this paragraph.  So, going back, we read that our previous state was that we were really dead.  However, God stepped in and saved us by grace.  We were saved so that God could show this as an example of his grace.  If we didn't already know, we didn't work for our salvation.  Instead, it was all God's work and we cannot take the credit.  Coming to the last verse, we read about being his workmanship and created for good works.  Not only that, but this was something planned long ago.  So, how does this all fit in?

AMP translate the first part of the verse, "For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art]".  God created us and we are his work of art.  I'd assume that a work of art is valued and cherished by its creator.  Perhaps this idea is what is linked using the word "for".  God saves us by grace and not by our works to make us his own master work.  He creates us into this new thing to do good works.  He wants us to become something new in Christ Jesus and part of that is for us to be doing his good works.

One other interesting this is about how God planned this long ago.  It's not as if this was something cooked up last minute.  It's not as if things weren't going horribly wrong and God had to make a last ditch effort to fix it all.  No, this was planned all along.  He planned to make us into his workmanship in Christ Jesus.  The plan was for us to be doing his good works.  We once were dead in our trespasses but now we are alive in Christ doing his good works.  Now, being made new, this is what we are to walk in; we are to walk in good works.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

-Ephesians 2:8-9

As we read in the previous verse, God wants to point to his saving of us and use it as an example of his grace.  This shows his grace because it is by God's grace that we have been saved.  The reason why he can show this act as an example of his grace is because it is an act of his grace that saved us.  In case anyone didn't know already, we don't work for our salvation.  It isn't by some might or power or strength or will on our part that we are saved from our deadness.  It is by his grace and it is a gift.  How do you receive a gift?  You don't offer money or services in order to receive a gift.  A gift is simply given and received.

Now, if it is by grace and we didn't work for it, then it means that we can't boast about it.  If we did something or were the initiators or actors in this event then we would have something to boast about.  If I ran a race and won by my own strength, then I can boast about the victory.  But instead, God runs the race and wins for us when we didn't do anything at all.  Therefore, we can't boast in ourselves but only in God who saved us by grace.

I know it's hard to leave it all up to God.  I think as humans we want to do it all or be the main ones in whatever we accomplish.  To give up and leave it all up to God may be hard.  We can see this in the way people try to attain salvation on their own terms.  Many people try to be "good" people and in some way tip the scales in their favor.  They are "working" their way to heaven and into God's good graces.  Unfortunately, this method will never work.  We are dead in our trespasses and sins.  Fortunately, we are saved by grace through faith.

"Faith" is something I forgot to address.  We know that it is by believing in Jesus that we are saved.  Some would argue that this is an effort on our part.  However, we are not saved by works.  We read here that we are saved by grace through faith.  NLT puts it slightly differently, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God".  Apparently, though saved when we believed, we can't take credit for this.  Perhaps I don't fully understand how this works, but the truth is that we don't work for our salvation and can't take credit for it.  Apparently, grace works through faith to save us.  How does this happen and still be void of any work on our part?  The way it works is that our faith to believe in Jesus is a gift.  God's saving grace is that which makes us alive out of our deadness and grants us faith in Jesus.  Faith is a gift.  If it were not for God causing us to believe in Jesus, we would not turn to him.  We know our state before his work in us.  We were following the course of this world.  Another example of our deadness is found in Romans 3 where Paul puts together some verses of how we are all under sin.

“None is righteous, no, not one;
     no one understands;
    no one seeks for God.
 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
    no one does good,
    not even one.”
 “Their throat is an open grave;
    they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
     “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
     in their paths are ruin and misery,
 and the way of peace they have not known.”
     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

-Romans 3:10b-18

Praise be to God who saves us by grace.

Ephesians 2:5-7

even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

-Ephesians 2:5-7

Going by the chiastic structure, this is the climax or main point of this section.  We are saved by grace.  After going on about our hopeless previous state before being saved, there's a shift and we are told about how God steps in.  We are miraculously saved from that which we had no hope.  "-by grace you have been saved-".  It is only by grace that we have been saved.  This free and unmerited favor of God is the only thing that saves us.  He has stepped in, "But God".

So, what else does he do?  "and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus".  We are raised with Jesus and we are seated with Jesus.  In the last chapter, Paul has already told us about where Jesus has been seated.  God the father has "seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come".  We are seated along with him.

Why would such a thing be done for us who were dead in our trespasses and sins?  We are told why in the next verse, "so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus".  God wishes to use this as an example of how great is his grace in kindness toward us.  This is an example of how great God is.  I guess you can't always show a quality or character trait of someone without an example to point to.  You can't just tell others how loving you are without some kind of reason to back it up.  God's saving grace that saves us out of our deadness is an example of how great God's grace really is.