Ephesians 3:7-10To: Ephesians Main MenuTo: Grace Notes Home Page Ephesians 3:7Of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. ---------- "Of which I was made" - aorist passive indicative of (ginomai) Paul became something that he was not before, namely, a "minister". ---------- "a minister" - (diakonos), "minister; server; deacon" The word (diakonos) is transliterated in the English into "deacon". However, the apostle Paul did not become a church deacon. He became one who "ministers", and the type and extent of his ministry is explained in the succeeding verses, in words such as "to make all men see". Paul lived and worked in the "service" of Christ. The word "minister" is used several ways in Scripture. * Those in authority in a national entity are ministers, such as judges. Romans 13:4. The context of the word determines which of the above is intended. How a Person Becomes a Pastor
Col. 1:23-29; 1 Tim. 1:12-14; 2:24-26; 3:1-9; 2 Tim 2 (all); Titus 1:6-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4 In general, it is the responsibility of a minister to teach Bible truth so that Christians can become edified, stable, and self-sustaining, and spiritually productive. In all of the above passages of the New Testament, and in many others, the teaching ministry is seen to be by far the most important activity in a local church, and the most important responsibility of those who teach. That is, whatever other activities the minister is involved in, his teaching must have utmost priority in his time and effort. How much teaching is enough teaching in a local church? Well, there is almost no limit to what hungry sheep can consume! I am acquainted with pastors who spend 60 hours or more per week preparing and teaching, holding four to six, or more, classes per week for their congregations. In churches like this, the pastors are not a public relations men, politicians, back slappers, or promoters. They are "feeders" of the flock. They are "ministers" in the true sense of the word in this verse. A pastor is a shepherd. A good shepherd puts the needs of the sheep first, and has an abiding sense of obligation toward them. One who does not know how to care for sheep, or who neglects sheep, is not a good shepherd. A good shepherd leads sheep to good pasture and water. A person who does not provide food and water for sheep is not a good shepherd. A good shepherd protects the sheep and sets up defenses against those who would harm the sheep. An individual who deliberately harms or frightens sheep is not a good shepherd. I urge you to study carefully the following topic. Topic: SHEPHERDS OF THE FLOCK OF GOD ---------- "according to the gift of grace" There is no merit involved in Paul's becoming a minister. He has done nothing to earn or deserve any special treatment from the Lord. In fact, he knows that he is "chief of sinners". If a minister is successful, it is because of who and what God is, not who and what he is. ---------- "given unto me by the effectual working of His power." The operating power for the ministry comes from the very omnipotence of God Himself! This verse takes the ministry out of the scope of the pastor's personality. He may be scintillating and charismatic; or he may be an awful dullard. He may or may not be smooth, suave, a social butterfly, smiling, likeable. He is a shepherd-teacher in the hand of God. Ephesians 3:8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. ---------- Verses 8 to 10 deal with the function of Paul's ministry. Verse 8 involves teaching to the Gentiles, new believers who are not versed in either in Old Testament scriptures or the New Testament "mysteries". Verse 9 teaches about the new era that is now opening up in Jesus Christ. Verse 10 refers to the teaching of truth to angels. "Unto me, who am the least of all saints, is this grace given" Paul refers to his gift of teaching. He emphasizes that he is the product of God's grace, and he fully understands that, of all people, he is one of the least worthy to receive anything good from the Father. 1 Cor. 15:10, "But by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace, which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." A believer's happiness, stability, function, and productivity all depend on grace. The Christian ministry does not require efficiency experts, public relations, super organizers, or some kind of super church machinery to operate effectively. The word "given" shows that the ability to minister is not earned, it is not won - it is received! ---------- "that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" Paul regards this as the highest possible calling. Only one life, 'Twill soon be past. 1 Tim. 1:11-16 "According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. Ephesians 3:9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. ---------- There are some difficulties with the text in this verse. The word "fellowship" in some Greek manuscripts comes from the word (koinonia), "fellowship". However, the weight of textual evidence seems to show that (oikonomia), "dispensation", is used here. And because the context of this verse is certainly referring to historical ideas, we have here the meaning of God's "plan" or "purpose". Therefore, Paul is expressing the fact that his work is to show God's purpose in Christ, including particularly an explanation of the "mystery", the doctrines which have been "hidden" until this time. The Word of God counterbalances all interpretations of history. The Bioble not only contains historical facts, but it also gives, by means of doctrine, the correct interpretation of history. That is, the divine plan moves through history unhindered, in spite of human activity, even in spite of Satan's efforts to upset the plan of God. A person who does not understand the Bible categorically is a dupe for any political, philosophical, or historical stupidity that comes along. The novice Christian is a child, "carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive" (Eph. 4:14). The responsibility of the pastor (teacher) is to teach all points of doctrine and to use the Bible to interpret history, to show how mankind operations, and to provide insight into the realm of Satanic influence. Ephesians 3:10To the intent that now, unto the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. ---------- Compare this passage with Ephesians 4:11-16. Note that here the church (we believers) is expected to somehow make the wisdom of God known to heavenly "principalities and powers", which is a reference to demons and leadership among the fallen angels. "principalities" is the Greek word (archon), referring to one of the highest rulers. This word first shows up in the Attic Greek (Athens) in the days of the Athenian democracy. The Archon was the president or preeminent decision maker in Athens. The number two man was called (bassilius archon), or "king-ruler". The third man was called (polymark), a military ruler. The following six leaders in Athens were the (thesmoteitai) or "legislators". Even though there was democracy, there was no anarchy in Athens because these leaders kept things under control. The Satanic organization has a number of supreme rulers; how many is not known. "powers" ... from (eksousias), "commissioned officers"; therefore, a secondary group of demon rulers. Satan has a special force of high ranking demons to make attacks against prominent officials and heads of nations. In Daniel 10:13f, the term "prince of Persia" refers to a fallen angel, a demon, who was busy attacking the ruler of Persia. Gabriel was delayed in bringing a message to Daniel because he was in conflict with this kosmokrator demon. The archangel Michael came to help and released Gabriel to come to Daniel. In Dan. 10:20, the "prince of Grecia" is mentioned, referring to the demon in charge of mounting attacks against the ruler of Greece who was Alexander the Great at that time. The principle is that Satan will vigorously attack any nation which protects the divine institutions, allows personal freedom to its citizens, and protects the nation against immorality. In nations like that there is evangelism and missionary activity, so demon activity will be stepped up with respect to those countries. In addition, all Christian believers are placed under direct attack in the world system, with particularly heavy attacks against those who are advancing in the Christian way of life. And it is in this battle arena of spiritual conflict that a Christian is supposed to function and succeed! No wonder Paul is so careful to teach continually about the power of God and the grace of God being the key to a believer's function. The Church, the Body of Christ, teaches God's wisdom, His plan, His perfection, by being His exhibit to heavenly beings of the work of Jesus Christ in lowly humans. And the "minister", the pastor, the teacher, the shepherd, has the all-important function of communicating the information to Christians. Topic: BIBLE TEACHING, IMPORTANCE OF End of Lesson 17 Warren Doud [ Grace Notes ] 1705 Aggie Lane, Austin, Texas 78757 Phone: 512-458-8923 E-Mail: wdoud@bga.com |
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