Ephesians 3: God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed and Paul Prays for Growth

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Ephesians 3: God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed and Paul Prays for Growth

There are lots of things mysterious to the uninitiated that are not to those who have experienced them. Love is one. Boys make fun of falling in love until one day they do. Sex is a mystery as is holding a job or home ownership. For that matter, even the most mundane things can be “mysterious” if they have never happened to you. Getting hit in the face by someone, falling down, riding a motorcycle, eating an jalapeno, touching a very hot surface, losing a loved one. All kinds of things are mysterious – or at least unfamiliar – to those who have never experienced them personally. The same could be said for coming to know the love of God and being baptized in the Spirit. Those it has never happened to have not the foggiest idea of what it is like. To them it is a stone mystery.

But what is a mystery to one is familiar to another. When I went to Germany in the army, little children were able to communicate better than I could. German (with the exception of something that sounded like Kriskut Schatzi, Hi there Sweetheart, something taught to all GI’s and welcomed about by German women about like a cold slap in the face) was alien until I got a handle on it. When I did, it was no longer a mystery. It was still somewhat unfamiliar as I never got that good at German but it was no longer a mystery. Reading for a child is a mystery until one day it dawns on them. the same is true with math.

The apostle Paul said that he was appointed by God to show them the mystery of God’s plan, his grace and love for them manifested in Jesus. When they heard him and read what he wrote, they understood what he was talking about. It was a mystery to all of humanity before Jesus came, but now is available to all.

As he says in vv6-7, the mystery, the plan was simple. Everybody was welcomed into the kingdom. Not just Jews, but also the rest of humanity had an equal part in the kingdom of God. And Paul marvels at the fact that he was chosen to tell people about it, that God not only saved him, but appointed him a messenger of this plan.
God also uses the church to show this. The church is the sole sphere of God’s influence to humanity and as such is to teach this plan, this revealed mystery. And because of this mystery being revealed, we now know that we can come into the presence of God without the mediation of anybody other than Jesus. We do not have to ask permission or go to a special group of leaders. We just, as Hebrews 9 says, boldly approach the throne of grace.

Paul writes a doxology in vv14-19, a poem of sorts about the greatness of God and his love. Many of these were early church songs that were sung in the assembly. As Ephesians 5:19 says, the early church was singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. This was one of those early hymns. Psalms were from the Psalms and spiritual songs were lighter melodies.

He ends with a comment on the greatness of God. He is not only able to great things, he is able to do greater things than we can even imagine. And all glory is his forever.

QUESTIONS:

1. How can something common be a mystery? Isn’t it just a matter of perspective?

2. Why would Paul keep on being so amazed at God’s intervention in his life? Doesn’t it seem like he would begin to accept it sooner or later? Wouldn’t his continual surprise be lack of faith in God’s ability to save and forgive?

3. If explaining the grace of God is a privilege, why do more not do it?

4. V10 – How is God’s wisdom shown in this whole thing? What is so wise about it?

5. Why do you think the early writers of the Old Testament couldn’t figure this all out? It seems awfully plain to us.

6. Have you ever experienced that love and power in your life?

7. How can God work more than what we can think?