◄ What Does Ephesians 3:2 Mean? ►

Despite being in prison for the sake of the gospel of Christ, Paul pens three amazing chapters in Ephesians that outline the incredible privileges and position that Christians have in Christ Jesus our Lord, before instructing us on how to live in this Church age.

Paul became a devoted servant of the Lord Jesus and to him was given the majority of Church-age doctrine. Even the apostle Peter recognised that there were things revealed to Paul from God that were difficult to understand, thus the enemy of our soul ensured that Paul's teachings became a prime target of every area of society and so Paul, who was God's chosen vessel to the Gentiles, became a prisoner for Christ's sake.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul describes our heavenly position in Christ and the amazing mystery which remained hidden in ages past, but which was revealed to the Church through his unique ministry. This most glorious truth that came to us through Paul is: "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Paul was unique in the history of the Church, for to him was given the stewardship of God's grace (the administration of God's grace during this dispensation of grace). Paul was given the doctrine for Christians in this Church age, just as Moses was given the Torah for Israel in the dispensation of Law. Paul had the main responsibility of explaining the unique role and position of the post-Cross Church, which is the Body of Christ, during this unique Church age.

Paul had been imprisoned for his faith, but recognised that he was a prisoner of Jesus Christ for the sake of the Gentiles. Little did those to whom Paul wrote during his various incarcerations know how widely His epistles would be read and the incredible influence they would have on the Christian Church down through centuries of time.

It has been suggested that without the epistles of Paul, Christianity would have become one more sect of Judaism, and down through the multiple centuries, the teachings of Paul have been fervently and systematically attacked by the enemy of our soul, for the truth that they contain is the seed-bed for true Christianity and the enemy's attack on Pauline doctrine and the stewardship of God's grace, which was entrusted to him by the risen, glorified Lord Jesus Christ, has met with the strongest opposition from every sector of society and each splinter group within Christendom.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. All Scripture is God-breathed and written for our learning, but not all Scripture is written TO us.

Let us read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest all the wonderful truths that are contained in Paul's inspired writings to the Church in this dispensation of grace. Let us, who are the called according to God's purpose, give diligence to present ourselves approved unto God; workmen that do not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the ministry of Paul and the good news of the gospel of grace. May I read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest, all that is written for my learning in his inspired epistles. May I rightly divide the Word of truth, in this dispensation of grace, studying to show myself approved unto God. Help me not to be tossed about by every wind of alternative doctrine. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.