1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—

[Parenthesis, 2-13]

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 3

Why is Paul persecuted (3:1)?

• Because of zeal for Gentiles– His bonds profit Gentiles

World’s view: Nero’s prisoner. Ac.25:11-12

Truth: Lord’s prisoner. Ep.4:1

Ac.21:21-30Why this charge?

Topics of Ep.2

Ac.22:21-22The shot heard around world

No longer a mystery (4)

• Understand Paul’s insight. Col.1:9

God (revealed)

Paul (wrote)

Gentiles (read)

Comparisons (3:5)

Other ages(Mt.13:11,15)

When? Now

Not made known

What? Revealed

Sons of men Who?Apostles & prophets

Summary: spells out the mystery (6)“Fellow-”compounds

Alive together,2:5

Fellow-heirs,3:6 (Ga.3:29)

Raised together, 2:6

Fellow-members, 3:6 (Ep.2:16)

Sit together,2:6

Fellow-partakers, 3:6 (Gn.12:3)

“But if OT taught this, why sayit is revealed now?” (3:5)

1. OT did not reveal God’s radical plan to:end Jewish theocracy replace it w. His church, all united in

Christ

2. Ac.2:39, the truth, but . . .

Jews thoughtof proselytes

Ac.10-11,radical

Gentiles on equal footingin sin and salvation (3:6-8)

ChristFellow-heirs Fellow-body

Fellow-partakersChurch

Jews Gentiles

Acts 2:39; Eph. 2:6

The great contrast (8)

• The man: Paul – less than the least

Adjectives1. Positive: Good 2. Comparative: Better 3. Superlative: Best

LittleLessLeast

Paul magnifies Christ and his own work, but lowers himself

The Mystery (Col.1:26)

Christ (incarnate God)

Col.2:2-3; 1 T.3:16

Israelite unbelief Ro.11:25Lawlessness 2 Th.2:7

Jew & Gentile united Ep.3:3-6Christ in us(Gentiles) Col.1:27