God Works in Mysterious Ways-Ephesians 3:1-13
Ephesians 3: 1-13
Key Verse 3:10-12
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
In this passage, Paul talks about the mystery of God’s ways. The word mystery means “something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.” In Greek it means “secret”. The word mystery is mentioned four times in this passage. I personally like the mystery genre whether it’s books or movies. I like when plots are not predictable and keeps you on the edge of your seat. God’s creation and history is shrouded in mystery. We cannot fully understand God’s mysteries. As Rick Warren said, it’s like an ant trying to understand the internet. We are finite in our intelligence, confined within time and space. For example, the universe is one big mystery. In the observable universe there are 2 trillion galaxies. Just our galaxy is 100,000 light years wide. What is beyond the universe is a great mystery! Here Paul expresses his deep appreciation of God’s mysteries. In this passage, may God reveal the mystery of God’s will, mystery of the gospel, God’s calling, and the church’s mission to share this mystery.
First, The mysterious will of God (v1-4)
Paul opens with verse 1, “1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—” In verse 1, Paul does not refer to himself as a prisoner of Caesar, but “of Christ Jesus.” He knew he was not imprisoned because of some moral lapse or because he had displeased God. It was not by Roman authority that he was in chains, rather it was by Christ consent. According to Paul, it was Christ plan was to use his imprisonment to further the gospel for the gentiles.
He adds his imprisonment should not discourage the believers (13). Perspective or the ‘big picture’ is all-important. How we view and react to circumstances is more important than the circumstances themselves. If all we can see is our immediate situation, then our circumstances control us. We feel good when our circumstances are good but miserable when they are not. Life becomes a nauseating roller coaster ride with so many twists and turns.
Paul had a divine perspective. According to verse 13, Paul’s suffering was for their glory. It was for their maturity, producing faith, faith that leads to endurance and to perfection (James 1:2-4; cf. Acts 16:19-25; 1 Pet. 4:12-19). His imprisonment was not a setback rather it was one chain link of events in furthering God’s will. Whenever, we embark on a difficult task, we should always fix our eyes on the goal, or the big picture. If an athlete doesn’t fix on a prize of glory, honor and wealth. Then there is no point of endless hours in the gym and grueling practice. Paul saw the ‘big picture’ regarding God’s plan in his life, his ministry and the age to come.
As I mention, I like to watch mysteries. However, I don’t want to be part or live within a mystery. It is too stressful, uncertain, unpredictable to live within a mystery. If you think deeply about it, our lives are shrouded in mystery. We didn’t choose the year to be born, our race, parents, country, etc. We don’t know what will happen in one hour, one year or ten years from now. We don’t know when our hearts will beat it’s last. Sometimes, this mystery overwhelms us with anxiety and worry. How can we live in joy within a life of mystery? We need a view of the big picture. As Christians, we can be sure in all things God works for the good and transforming to conform to the image of Christ. Romans 8:28,29 reads, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
We all grapple with the question, “Why did this happen?” We see so many acts of senseless violence. I remember, when 9/11 happened. Many asked Tim Keller “Why did God allow this to happen?” One could answer is “Don’t question God! He has reasons beyond your finite little mind. Therefore, just accept everything. Don’t question.” The other answer is “I don’t know what God’s up to; I have no idea why these things are happening. There’s no way to make any sense of it at all.” Both are callous, weak and unsympathetic answers.
Pastor Keller said he didn’t know why such a tragedy happened. It is a mystery. He said in his rememberance sermon, “True, we don’t know the reason God allows evil and suffering to continue, but we know what the reason isn’t, what it can’t be. It can’t be that he doesn’t love us. It can’t be that he doesn’t care. God so loved us and hates suffering that he was willing to come down and get involved in it. And therefore, the cross is an incredibly empowering hint. It’s only a hint, but if you grasp it, it can transform you. It can give you strength.”
Some of you are going through some difficulties. You may find it challenging, at times depressing. I pray God may bless each of your confident faith in God’s mysterious ways. I remember Pastor Lincoln’s friend who said, he doesn’t ask “Why” in the midst of his suffering. Rather God gives him grace to suffer well. May God bless each of you to suffer well with the big picture in mind through Romans 8:28,29.
Second, The mystery of the Gospel (v 5-9)
Look at verses 2-6 “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
Regarding this mystery, Paul says that it was unknown to previous generations (5). It wasn’t plain and obvious to them. While God’s plan was present in the Old Testament, parts were unclear or “hidden” in a sense. Like an easter egg hunt, where eggs are hidden in bushes and other objects, truths about Jesus were also hidden in many Old Testament passages. These passages were clues of God’s salvation plan through Jesus.
In fact, there are more than 300 references to Jesus in the OT. Here are a few examples, Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring[a] and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Numbers 21:8, “The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” Isaiah 53:5, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” The New Testament is the final gathering of all the eggs in one basket in full view of everyone. Paul says that it is now revealed to God’s holy apostles (the disciples) and prophets. John says of Jesus in John 1:14 “14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
What is this mystery? Look at verse 6 again. “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” For centuries, Gentiles were the enemies of the Jews. There is a series of Jewish blessings known as Birkot Hashachar, literally “blessings of the morning.” One of their ‘blessings’ is thanking God, He didn’t he wasn’t born a gentile. There was no way they could become united. But through Jesus Christ, they were reconciled and became heirs of the same promise. The gentiles were like orphans, now they have become part of God’s family; members of one body and sharers in the promise of Christ. The Gentiles can become God’s children, not by following the law, but by accepting the righteousness that is through faith in Christ. In Christ, reconciliation was possible. Paul said in the previous chapter Ephesians 2:14-16 “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.”
The mysterious beauty of the gospel is that it makes divided people into one. Jesus is our peace. He smashed the dividing wall of hostility. We are not righteous because of the law, rather we are righteous because of what Jesus completed on the cross. It was his death that destroyed this hostility. In Acts 10, we see one example of this reconciliation. Apostle Peter became one with the Roman gentile Cornelius. We have been heart broken by the war in Ukraine. Recently, our are hearts have been further scarred by the war in Gaza and Israel. There is no political solution in these the major conflicts. Treaties and peace deals are often broken. Because the REAL PROBLEM IS SIN. The only solution to solve the hatred, jealousy and pride of mankind, is by accepting the mystery of the gospel.
Third, the mystery of God’s calling
Look at verse 2-4” 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
Paul was also moved by the mysterious grace of God to call him as the ‘administer of God grace (2)’. In a sense, he became a steward or manager of spreading the gospel. He received the calling and the gospel through revelation (2). He was given unknowable and incomprehensible truth by God. He was called to be a servant of the good news (7). And he was given the privilege to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ (8). Why? Was he special? Not at all! He was well aware of his past life as a blasphemer, a persecutor and a violent man (1 Timothy 1:13). He called himself ‘less than the least of all the Lord’s people” in verse 8. He probably saw himself as a cockroach that deserved to be squashed. But God elevated this cockroach as his chosen instrument. Why? No reason, except the grace of God. He said in verse 8 it was grace given to him to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ
May we remember God’s marvelous grace for calling us to be his servants and the great privilege to share the boundless riches of Christ in our families, community and the world. The mysterious grace of God can change anyone!
Third, Tell others about the mystery
Look at verse 8-12 “8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
The theme of grace permeates Paul’s writings. He is captivated by the grace of God. Look at verse 8 again, he says the ‘boundless’ riches of Christ. Some translations say “unsearchable” and “incalculable”.
St. Jerome understood this truth. He said “The Scriptures are shallow enough for a babe to come and drink without fear of drowning and deep enough for a theologian to swim in without ever touching the bottom.” We can spend our whole lifetime, yet scratch the surface of who God is.
Here the word manifold is used in verse 10. In the original language means to be multi-colored. It was used when describing the many colors of a painting or a tapestry in the ancient world. It is like a Persian rug. The threads are intricate and complex, meandering through multiple layers. But when you take a step back, the beauty and skill is stunning. So, God gave grace to Paul, so that he would proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles, that they would know the mystery of God, and that the multi-faceted wisdom of God may be known to all!
The wisdom of God is lovely and deep. It is multi-faceted! It has many sides which highlight its brilliance, like a beautiful kaleidoscope. God’s intent was to use the church to share the manifold wisdom of God to rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. One of the most beautiful manifolds is found in verse 12. “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” In the past, we could not approach the holy God. In the temple, there was a section called the holy of holies. No one was allowed to enter there except for the priest. Because of Jesus death on the cross, the curtain was torn in two. Jesus became our mediator. We can come before the presence of God because of Jesus’ righteousness was imparted to us. We can approach God with freedom and confidence as a child approaches his daddy.
According to verse 10, God’s intention was for the church to share His manifold wisdom to the whole world including rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm. We are part of the universal church. We are call to be a light in this dark world.
Faithful Christians have expressed God’s manifold wisdom by expressing it through their skills and talents. So many have shared this wisdom in art, literature, music, science, architecture, inventions, education, healthcare, and so on.
God’s word is a boundless harvest. There is something new to learn and inspirational. There is a term called the law of diminishing returns. If you eat a gourmet burger the first time, it’s delicious. But if you eat the same burger, lunch breakfast and dinner for one week, you want to throw up! Not so with the word of God. The manifold wisdom is boundless! Lamentations 3:22-23 reads, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
If we are not careful, we can fall into the trap of diminishing returns. It is when our hearts get captivated by idols and the devil’s words. The word of God doesn’t taste like honey rather like a stale old bread. The world has become very dark, chaotic and violent in the last few years. The war in Israel and Ukraine and other parts of the world has many wondering if doomsday clock is nearing midnight. It’s very hard to stay positive. As a church, our influence is greatly needed for people living in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Pray God may help us not given to fear, anxiety and distress. I pray we may be renewed by the manifold wisdom of God. May we never lose the awe and grace or the joy of proclaiming Christ. May the boundless and Manifold wisdom of God be the fuel that keeps us passionate, motivated and a source of joy for those living in the darkness.
In this passage, we learn that God works in mysterious ways. We see His mystery in creation, in history and in our lives. May we have power through his spirit to live as his holy people in our turbulent times.
References:
John MacArthur, Ephesians: New Testament Commentary. “The Mystery Revealed (3:1-13), 1986
Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians. “A Christ Centered Missionary”, 2013
McCraw, Rev. Matthew C. “The Wonder of the Mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:1-13)” 7 February, 2021, https://fbcbartow.org/sermons/the-wonder-of-the-mystery-of-christ-ephesians-31-13/
Keller, Dr. Timothy J. “Service Of Remembrance On 9/11” 16 September, 2001, https://discover.redeemer.com/docs/service_of_remembrance.pdf
Got Questions.com, https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-in-the-Old-Testament.html
Bible Study Questions
“This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
1. How did Paul address himself in verse 3? Why was he a prisoner (3)? How did Paul view his imprisonment? Was he discouraged by God’s plan to send him to prison (13, Eph 6:20; 2 Tim 2:9)? What can we learn from Paul how to see the ‘big picture’ in times of suffering? (Colossians 1:24, Romans 8:29)
2. What is the mystery of Christ (4-6)? What did he mean it was not made known to people in other generations (5)? What are some old testament passages that point to Jesus (Genesis 3:15, Exodus 12:21, Numbers 21:8,Isaiah 53:5) ? How can the Gentiles be heirs and members together of one body (6)? How is this unity impossible with man, but possible with God?
3. How did Paul view his mysterious calling (7,8, 1 Corin 15:9, Gal 1:15-16)? What does ‘boundless’ mean (some translation say unsearchable or incalculable- Rom 11:33)? What was his purpose (8-11)? What is the purpose of the church? What is the manifold wisdom of God? How is it possible for us to approach the holy God with freedom and confidence (12,Leviticus 16:2, Luke 23:45)? How does grace empower us as we serve our family, church and community?
Manifold-Many and varied; having many features and forms; wrought in various colors; diversified, intricate, complex, many-sided. God’s wisdom in His extraordinary plan of salvation, as seen in the new and mysterious creation of the church, is a multi-faceted, many-colored, culturally diverse, rich, and beautiful community of believers.
