Ephesians 3:7-13
God's grace makes known Christ's boundless riches and displays His manifold wisdom through the church.
7 of which I was made a servant according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ,
10 to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,
11 according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 In him we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.
13 Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.
God's grace makes known Christ's boundless riches and displays His manifold wisdom through the church.
Paul explains his ministry of the revealed mystery by presenting himself as a servant of the gospel through God's grace, commissioned to preach Christ's boundless riches to the Gentiles and to make known God's manifold wisdom through the church.
Ephesians 3:7-13 continues Paul's interruption that began in 3:1. In 3:1-6 Paul explained that the mystery of Christ has now been revealed: Gentiles are co-heirs, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise through the gospel. In 3:7-13 he explains his personal ministry in relation to that mystery. He is a servant of the gospel by grace, called to preach the boundless riches of Christ to the Gentiles and to reveal God's hidden administration of the mystery. This passage also looks back to 1:9-10, where God made known the mystery of His will to bring all things together under Christ, and to 2:11-22, where Jew and Gentile are reconciled in one body. It also prepares for 3:14-21, where Paul resumes prayer, asking that the church be strengthened to know Christ's love and be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:7-13 reflects Paul's apostolic self-understanding as a servant of the gospel to the Gentiles. Though imprisoned, he does not interpret his ministry as defeated. His ministry is a gift of grace empowered by God. In a world where public honor, patronage, rhetoric, and status shaped influence, Paul presents himself as less than the least of all God's people and yet entrusted with preaching the boundless riches of Christ. The church, including Gentiles once far off, is now the arena through which God's manifold wisdom is displayed even to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. This gives local church life cosmic significance.
The Mystery Revealed and the Church Strengthened in Christ’s Love
God has revealed his once-hidden mystery by making Gentiles full co-heirs in Christ, displaying his wisdom through the church and strengthening his people to know the immeasurable love of Christ.