Riches of Christ

May 17, 2009

Lesson: Ephesians 3:1-12

Key Verses: Ephesians 3:8-9

Introduction

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God written, manifesting “themselves to be the word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able to persuade it that they are the very word of God” (Larger Catechism # 4). This Word is what Paul calls a Mystery, once hidden alone in God and now revealed to him that he might preach “the unsearchable riches of Christ;” that all men should see “what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ” (Eph. 3:8-9).

The Words of Scripture, the teachings of truth, is our rule of faith and life: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). The ‘Autographs’ –originally written in Hebrew and Greek –have been preserved by the Lord for us that we can fully trust the Scripture as the infallible Word of God: “being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical” (Conf. of Faith 1. 8). Christ confirms this care, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle in no wise pass from the law, till all are fulfilled” (Matt. 5:18). John Calvin wrote “that we owe to the Scripture the same reverence which we owe to God; because it has proceeded from him alone, and has nothing belonging to man mixed with it.” It is not just the meaning that the Spirit has preserved, but also the words. Thus we are convinced that Christ is the Son of God who sent to be our Savior and Lord.

Mystery of Christ –Ephesians 3:1-4

Paul states his credentials as a preacher of the Gospel to the Gentiles: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.” His imprisonment was to be seen as a confirmation of the Lord’s calling him to bring comfort and strength to the Gentiles. He was the Lord’s Apostle. His honor was as a prisoner of Jesus Christ; Calvin wrote, “the crowns and sceptres of kings, to say nothing of the imposing splendor of an ambassador, are less honorable than the chains of a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Men might think otherwise, but it is our duty to judge of the reasons. So highly ought the name of Christ to be revered by us, that what men consider to be the greatest reproach, ought to be viewed by us as the greatest honour.”

Paul teaches his readers that they are to learn what he has been taught that they may also come to understand the mystery of Christ: “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given to me to you-ward: how that by revelation he made known to me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).” Paul looks at the grace of God as a steward responsible for the good of a household. Thus he oversees the grace of God that the Gentile Christians be so blessed as he was blessed. The mystery that was hidden in God has been revealed to Paul. He passes on this Word that they may also come to understand, to comprehend the truths revealed by the Lord God. Paul understands that the grace of God is “the gift of divine gift of divine grace to sinful men; and all the gracious overtures that it makes, and the joyful tidings that it contains, proceed from the rich grace of God; and it is also the great instrument in the hands of the Spirit by which God works grace in the souls of men” (M. Henry). Paul comes to the Gentiles as an Apostle of Christ, his minister in his Kingdom: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Heb. 12:28). Ministers of the Gospel must not only preach to those in the local congregation, but as preaching in the Kingdom of Christ that pervades all nations. For Christ is the Prince of all kings.

Discussion: What is it that Paul wants the Gentile believers to understand?

Partakers of the Promise –Ephesians 3:5-7

Paul continues to speak of the “mystery of Christ,” which was revealed to the “the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” The coming of the Gentiles, as promised, was fulfilled when Christ was risen and reigning over all nations. The Psalmist spoke of the Messiah-King, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth” (Ps. 72:8). Speaking of his dying for his sheep that they should have life, Christ speaks to the Father, “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again” (John 10:16-17). The Father and the resurrected Son bring into their fold people from every nation.

To this Gospel that was to be preached to both Jew and Gentile, Paul was made an Apostle: “Whereof I as made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.” The preacher of the Gospel must not succumb to the practice of calling upon God to act because they have planted the seed, or promise people that if they would only obey their calling they will be blessed; for it is the Spirit who does the calling, by whose power or authority alone, that the Gospel call is given, received, and proclaimed. Our preaching should reveal the effectual working of God that to him alone belongs the glory.

Discussion: To whom are we to preach the gospel of Christ Jesus?

The Unsearchable Riches –Ephesians 3:8-12

Paul understood that he was called of the risen Lord to be a preacher to the Gentiles: “I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity (truth)” (1 Tim. 2:7). Paul also knew that all was of the Lord: “Unto 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.” Only a fool would think himself capable to search and find that “unsearchable riches” which belongs to Christ. Calvin wrote that by “the unsearchable riches of Christ are meant the astonishing and boundless treasures of grace, which God had suddenly and unexpectedly bestowed on the Gentiles. The Ephesians are thus reminded how eagerly the gospel ought to be embraced, and how highly it ought to be esteemed. This subject has been treated in the Exposition of the Epistle to the Galatians, (Gal. 1:15, 16; 2:7, 9.) And certainly, while Paul held the office of apostleship in common with others, it was an honor peculiar to himself to be appointed apostle of the Gentiles.”

Paul’s preaching of the Gospel was “to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” Calvin comments “There can be no doubt that the apostle labors to place in the strongest light the mercy of God toward the Gentiles, and the high value of the gospel. For this purpose he declares, that the preaching of the gospel exhibits the manifold grace of God, with which, till now, the heavenly angels themselves were unacquainted. The wisdom of God, therefore, which was manifested by uniting Jews and Gentiles in the fellowship of the gospel, ought to be regarded by men with the highest admiration.”

All truth, doctrine and practice, is hid in God and so must be revealed by him to man. We do not compromise with the world claiming that there must be “intelligent design” behind what we see with our eyes. We proclaim that which God has revealed to us in his word, and given us understanding that the world was created by his counsel and Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Christ) … All things were made by him, and without him was any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3). We fellowship in that mystery revealed, becoming like-minded in the Word of God written; “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church in the manifold wisdom of God.” The King of kings alone has the authority to rule over his church and over all nations. Paul knows that the gospel is preached “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of (Christ).” The gift of faith, both to Jew and Gentile, is of Christ alone.

Discussion: How do learn of the unsearchable riches of Christ?