Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 30

Paul Prays a second Time for these Ephesian Believers Part 2

Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, KJV

All throughout our world today, in the past, and surely in the future mankind will worship because we were created by God to worship, but Adam’s sin passed down to each human being after him has separated man from the worship he so desperately seeks and desires, which is the worship of God.  Paul knew this fact perhaps better than anyone because he spent his entire life in Judaism doing things to worship and please God, but he knew that his Jewish religious practices did not bring him close to God or gave him intimacy with Him. Paul has preached the Gospel of Grace to many in the city of Ephesus and God the Holy Spirit has regenerated and resurrected from the death of trespasses and sins many Gentiles in this city that have been brought together in Christ Body the Church and founded a local congregation. Paul’s second prayer here for these group of believers was more than for them to receive their blessing from God, but in contrast Paul digs deep into his own inner man and petitions our Heavenly Father to make these Ephesians seek such intimacy that they would know “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith” (Ephesians 3:17).

The two seemingly small English words “may dwell” Paul uses here is translated by one Greek word katoikeo which means to occupy a house that is, reside (figuratively inhabit, remain, inhere); by implication to cohabit: - dwell in or live in permanently. In other words, Paul knew the tremendous difference of knowing of God and about Him verses knowing God experimentally residing in him (Galatians 2:20) and let us remember these words that he used to close the previous Chapter 2 when he said, “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22), for in these words here and these words in his prayer here (verse 17) we find the end goal of redemption through the Blood of Christ and that being a new race of humanity that God the Father, through the Blood of God the Son, and through the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit have a permanent eternal residence of occupancy.

Even as our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ declared Himself would be the reality for everyone who loves Him when He said, “Just a little while now, and the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. At that time [when that day comes] you will know [for yourselves] that I am in My Father, and you [are] in Me, and I [am] in you. The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]” (John 14:19-21). Paul knew that Christ ruling and reigning in the “heart” or inner man was the only way for these believers in Ephesus to live a truly authentic Christian life in this world of sin and woe and also to defeat the constant onslaughts from the enemy the devil (Luke 4:1-13).

Paul knew that surrender and submission to our Lord Jesus Christ was the only way for Him to be in control of the inner man, for He will not force His children to submit and this submission revolves around the Word of God as Paul spoke the same ideas to the Colossian believers with these words, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:16-17).

Paul prays that they individually and as a body of believers “being rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17), that is, becoming stable, consolidated, and settled in love (agape) meaning love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: - dear, love for God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, but also for one another, seeking the others good and doing no harm to one another as the Apostle John wrote in this manner, “The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.” (1 John 2:10) and likewise as Paul implored the Roman believers with these words, “Why do you criticize {and} pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon {or} despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God [acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise].’ And so each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God. Then let us no more criticize {and} blame {and} pass judgment on one another, but rather decide {and} endeavor never to put a stumbling block {or} an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.” (Romans 14:10-13).

My own Personal Note: Paul’s strong desire for these Ephesians believers and for us today was and is that our Lord Jesus Christ be the center of everything we do, we believe, we seek, we desire, and we love and that is only possible when He is put first by each of us moment by moment each and every day as Paul wrote with these words to the Colossian believers, “He also is the Head of [His] Body, the Church; seeing He is the Beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead, so that He alone in everything {and} in every respect might occupy the chief place [stand first and be preeminent].” (Colossians 1:18).

“The kernel of this prayer is in the clause that Christ may make His home in the believer’s heart through faith. The previous petitions lead up to this. Note the Apostle’s attitude-with bended knee; his plea with God-that He is the Father from whom all family love emanates; his measure-the wealth of God’s glorious perfection; the necessary preliminary to Christ’s indwelling-the penetration of our inmost being with the strength of the Holy Spirit. And then note the outcome: The indwelling Christ means that we shall be rooted and grounded in love.” F. B. Meyer

“Trust, which is faith, is self-distrust. ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.’ Rivers do not run on the mountain tops, but down in the valleys. So the heart that is lifted up and self-complacent has no dew of His blessing resting upon it, but has the curse of Gilboa adhering to its barrenness; but the low lands, the humble and the lowly hearts, are they in which the waters that go softly scoop their course and diffuse their blessings. Faith is self-distrust. Self-distrust brings the Christ. Faith is desire. Never, never in the history of the world has it been or can it be that a longing towards Him shall be a longing thrown back unsatisfied upon itself. You have but to trust, and you possess. We open the door for the entrance of Christ by the simple act of faith, and blessed be His name! He can squeeze Himself through a very little chink, and He does not require that the gates should be flung wide open in order that, with some of His blessings, He may come in.” Alexander MacLAren

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 29

Paul Prays a second Time for these Ephesian Believers Part 1

Ephesians 3:14-16 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named, That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; KJV

Some of God’s finest men He chose to make commentary on His Holy Word such as Marvin Vincent (1834-1922) believe Paul begins his pray here picking up where he interrupted himself from beginning to pray a second time for these Ephesian converts to Christ at the close of (Ephesians 2:13-22). While other very excellent commentators like Adam Clarke (1760-1832) and Albert Barnes (1798-1870) believe that Paul begins his second prayer here with the thought of the preceding verse “Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.” (Ephesians 3:13). However, I believe Paul was not one to compartmentalize his inner most desires and thoughts for those whom he preached the Gospel of Grace to, but instead he here begins this second prayer with the words he wrote from the previous Chapter 2 in mind as well as the words from verse 13 in this Chapter 3 and we can see that in the words he prays here in verses 15 and 16.

First, Paul begins this great prayer with his accustomed posture before God on his knees. This posture of prayer is not the only way we can approach our Heavenly Father, but it was practiced regularly by the Jews in that day and every young Jewish child would be taught to kneel before YAWEH as the Psalmist wrote in this manner, “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” (Psalm 95:6). In these words written by the Psalmist we find three (3) key Hebrew words we must pull out and examine. First, the English phrase “let us worship” is translated by one Hebrew word shachah which is a primitive root; meaning to depress, that is, prostrate (especially reflexively in homage to royalty or God): - humbly beseech, do or make obeisance, do reverence. Secondly, the English phrase “and bow down” is translated by one Hebrew word kara a primitive root; meaning to bend the knee; by implication to sink, to prostrate: - bring down (low), cast down, couch, fall, feeble, kneeling, sink, smite (stoop) down, subdue. Thirdly, the English phrase “let us kneel” is translated by one Hebrew word barak a primitive root; meaning to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration).

In other words, the Psalmist is here declaring complete humility of heart and soul, complete respectful deference, reverence and awe before the Self-Existent and Eternal One JEHOVAH or YAWEH. This is the attitude Paul grew up learning as a little Jewish boy and it continued into his adult life as he became a Jewish Pharisee serving as a voting member of the Sanhedrin. Now that Paul knows personally and intimately the One True God he was taught about as a boy through faith in Jesus Christ, he kneels or bows his knee as his custom physical posture, but most important Paul humbles his heart before “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:14).

It is evident that Paul resumes his thoughts from the end of Chapter 2 here in praying for these Ephesians having been brought into the family of God by the miracle of the new birth as he declared to them at the end of Chapter 2 with these words, “And He came and preached the glad tidings of peace to you who were afar off and [peace] to those who were near. For it is through Him that we both [whether far off or near] now have an introduction (access) by one [Holy] Spirit to the Father [so that we are able to approach Him]. Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God’s own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God’s [own] household.” (Ephesians 2:17-19). Paul’s prayer for them is that they know without any doubting, wavering, or uncertainty that they too are brethren (not only now with the Jews), but also with the holy angels of God now in Heaven as one of said angels expressed it with these words to the Apostle John when he said, “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, ‘See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.’” (Revelation 22:8-9).

The purpose of Paul saying in his prayer here “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:15) is that the Ephesian converts would grasp the immense or huge or vast spiritual kinship they are a beloved part of when they were a short time ago “having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). It is not by human blood relationship to the Jews and the angels in Heaven are these Ephesians fellow brethren, but it is by the Blood of the Lamb, the Blood of Christ that they are in the eternal family of God as the Apostle Peter declared it in this manner, “You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, But [you were purchased] with the precious Blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

It is also evident that Paul wants them to refrain from cowering back in their faith by what they are witnessing happening to him (his imprisonment for preaching the Gospel) by saying in his prayer for them “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;” (Ephesians 3:16). The English phrase “to be strengthened” is translated by one Greek word krataioo meaning to empower, that is, increase in vigor: - be strengthened, be (wax) strong. The English phrase “with might” is translated by one Greek word dunamis meaning force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself): - ability, abundance, meaning, might, power, strength. Note: This Greek word dunamis is where we derive our English word dynamite from and also it is a favorite word used by Paul and other Apostles some 120 times in the New Testament. In other words, Paul wants these Ephesian believers and us today to have a Holy Ghost explosion on the inside that they and we would be fearless under the threats from the human instruments used by the enemy the devil and also that they and we would be strengthened to fight against the corruption of the old nature, and also that they and we would be powerful in the duties (whatsoever they are from our Lord Jesus Christ) to serve Him with love, awe, reverence, praise, humility, gratitude, continually, consistently, and confidently. 

My own Personal Note: Paul wants them to know without doubt that they can have as much intimacy with our Father in Heaven as they want by just simply asking Him as he prayed in a similar manner for the Colossian believers with these words, “For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray {and} make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding {and} discernment of spiritual things--That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him {and} desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing {and} increasing in {and} by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]. [We pray] that you may be invigorated {and} strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy, Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified {and} made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light.” (Colossians 1:9-12).

“This prayer of the Apostle is one of the most grand and sublime in the whole oracles of God. The riches of the grace of the Gospel, and the extent to which the soul of man may be saved here below, are most emphatically pointed out here. Every word seems to have come immediately from Heaven; laboring to convey ideas of infinite importance to mankind. No paraphrase can do it justice, and few commentators seem to have entered into its spirit; perhaps deterred by its unparalleled sublimity. Ye have many enemies, cunning and strong; many trials, too great for your natural strength; many temptations, which no human power is able successfully to resist; many duties to perform, which cannot be accomplished by the strength of man; therefore you need Divine strength; ye must have might; and ye must be strengthened everywhere, and every way fortified by that might; mightily and most effectually strengthened. By the Sovereign energy of the Holy Ghost. This fountain of spiritual energy can alone supply the spiritual strength which is necessary for this spiritual work and conflict. The outward man is strengthened by earthly food, etc.; the inward man, by spiritual and Heavenly influences. Knowledge, love, peace, and holiness, are the food of the inward man; or rather Jesus Christ, that bread of life which came down from Heaven: he that eateth this bread shall live and be strengthened by it. The soul must be as truly fed and nourished by Divine food as the body by natural food.” Adam Clarke

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 28

Paul discloses the Positive and Negative results of this Mystery

Ephesians 3:12-13 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. KJV

We have learned from the Apostle Paul that the mystery revealed to him is the Gospel of Christ being preached by him to all men and women (Jews and Gentiles) and God the Father having eternally purposed this in Christ Jesus our Lord. Now before he closes this Chapter 3 of his letter with another prayer for these Ephesians, Paul discloses the positive and negative results of what every true regenerate recipient of this new life in Christ brings to the believer. First Paul declares to them the tremendous positive these Ephesians and all true believers everywhere because of faith in Jesus Christ have which is unhindered, unashamed, and unbroken entrance into God the Father’s Presence. Paul says that because these Ephesians and we today are “in Christ”, “we have boldness” (Ephesians 3:12). The English word boldness Paul uses here is strikingly different than our English definition, but is the closes word the English translators could use to make the point Paul is making here. The Greek word that is used here is parrhesia which means all out spokenness with the idea of water running or flowing freely; frankness or bluntness of speech; by implication it means assurance.

In other words, Paul’s use of this word is to let these Ephesians and all of us today who are “in Christ” know that we are so welcomed by our Heavenly Father into His Presence through supplication and prayer that we can tell Him anything, even our confusion of what He is allowing in our lives being open and honest with Him about all of our emotions even those negative emotions directed at Him because He wants His sons and daughters to be free to pour out our hearts/inner man or inner woman to Him leaving nothing unspoken, despite the fact that He knows it all anyway. We never have to be fearful that we will offend our Father in Heaven with what we say to Him, He is an Eternally Grown Father and He is able to receive not only our loving worship and adoration of Him, but also our fits and tantrums we often hurl in His direction. This is surely what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote these words to the Philippian believers, “Do not fret {or} have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance {and} in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison {and} mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Paul also wrote these words to the Jewish believers, “Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended {and} passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand {and} sympathize {and} have a shared feeling with our weaknesses {and} infirmities {and} liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then fearlessly {and} confidently {and} boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].” (Hebrews 4:14-16). Paul assures these Ephesians that they can be confident or persuaded or very sure that their access to the Father’s Throne and Heart will never be blocked, barricaded, or banished because He receives them and us as if we were our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and loves us in the same manner with the same Eternal Love He has for Christ Jesus our Lord as our Lord Jesus declared with these words recorded for us by the Apostle John, “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” (John 17:22-23).

It is our conversion to Christ our faith in Him that gives us this bold confident assurance of unconditional love, acceptance, and reception by our Heavenly Father because our Lord Jesus Christ has already cleared away the debris or trees of our sin that before blocked our access to God as Paul declared with these words written to the Jewish believers, “Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom {and} confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the Blood of Jesus, By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated {and} dedicated {and} opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh, And since we have [such] a great {and} wonderful {and} noble Priest [Who rules] over the House of God, Let us all come forward {and} draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance {and} absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled {and} purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Sadly but truthfully, Paul now makes mention of the negative ramifications of being a true and faithful follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, but he wants these Ephesian believers and we believers today to be strong and courageous under attack from the enemy. Paul begins by saying “Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you” (Ephesians 3:13). First, the English word wherefore Paul begins this sentence with is translated by the Greek word dio meaning for which cause, that is, consequently because these Ephesians have such bold and confident access to God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ that they should not be fearful of persecution or attacks that Paul is enduring or that they themselves may endure because of their faith in Christ as Moses wrote these words to encourage and embolden the Israelites, “‘When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you. When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people. He shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the LORD your God is the One who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’” (Deuteronomy 20:1-4).

Paul knew that these Ephesian believers could potentially draw back from faithfulness to Christ Jesus our Lord after seeing what he endured at the hands of the non-converted Jews and non-converted Gentiles and he wanted to encourage them by praying for them (as we will see in the next study) and also he wanted them know that our Lord Jesus is able to bring them through any onslaught from the enemy as he petitioned the Thessalonian believers to intercede in prayer for him with these words, “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the Word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2). It was Paul’s strong motivation that they would be strong and stand strong as they witnessed him go through this difficult time (he was probably imprisoned for preaching the Gospel at the time of this letter to them).

The use of the phrase “I desire” here is translated by one Greek word aiteo which means a craving, a calling for something, or a begging for something to occur or happen. It is the same word our Lord Jesus Christ used when He said this to the first Apostles, “And whatsoever ‘ye shall ask’ (aiteo) in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13). Paul was calling for and craving that “ye faint not” and this English phrase is translated by one Greek word ekkakeo which means to be weak, that is, to fail in heart or to lose heart; to be fearful or cowardly. In other words, Paul knew by experience the negative developments and attacks that a true son or daughter of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ would encounter and his upcoming prayer for them was to strengthen them with might that they would not cower, cringe, or curl up from vicious onslaughts by unredeemed, unconverted, and unsaved men and women (Acts 14:19-22).

Paul called what he was enduring “tribulations” and this English word is translated by the Greek word thlipsis which means pressure (literally or figuratively): afflicted or affliction, anguish, burdened, persecution, or trouble. This was the regular and normal result of Paul’s obedient proclamation of the Gospel of Grace and his unwavering stand for and on the Word of God everywhere he went in the known world and this is how he declared it to the Corinthian believers he preached the Gospel to, “Now I want you to know {and} continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only served to advance {and} give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel). So much is this a fact that throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest [here] my imprisonment has become generally known to be in Christ [that I am a prisoner in His service and for Him]. And [also] most of the brethren have derived fresh confidence in the Lord because of my chains and are much more bold to speak {and} publish fearlessly the Word of God [acting with more freedom and indifference to the consequences].” (Philippians 1:12-14). Paul wanted them to know that if they willingly shared in the sufferings of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:6-11 & 1 Peter 4:12-19) and not give into evil or faint under or cower under persecution, then their faithfulness would be for their glory in the sight of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ.

My own Personal Note: “The true follower of our Lord Jesus Christ must be faithful despite opposition to the true Gospel of Grace and must endure hardship as a true soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3) being confident of our connection to our Heavenly Father that enables us to come to Him in prayer at any time during every attack of the enemy against His children and He will always here and answer as He did with the Apostles during this time as documented by Dr. Luke in (Acts 4:13-31).”

“In those primitive times, when there was much persecution, people were in continual danger of falling away from the faith who were not well grounded in it. This the Apostle deprecates, and advances a strong reason why they should be firm: ‘I suffer my present imprisonment on account of demonstrating your privileges, of which the Jews are envious: I bear my afflictions patiently, knowing that what I have advanced is of God, and thus I give ample proof of the sincerity of my own conviction. The sufferings, therefore, of your Apostles are honorable to you and to your cause; and far from being any cause why you should faint, or draw back like cowards, in the day of distress, they should be an additional argument to induce you to persevere.’” Adam Clarke

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 27

Paul declares to the Ephesian Believers the Purpose of God’s Mystery Revealed Part 3

Ephesians 3:10-11 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God,  According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: KJV

In the last study in verse nine (9), we saw that Paul declared that God the Father wanted (through him) “to make all men see” or photizo as we documented, however, now we find that Paul declares to these Ephesian believers the third purpose of God the Father revealing the mystery of the Gospel of Christ now through him and the other first Apostles was to make it known to the invisible intelligences (good and evil angels) He created long before man was made. Question: Why would God not disclose this eternal truth to the good angels? Are they not obedient in all matters unto Him? Could they not keep this secret from those other angels that fell? Perhaps there is some aspect of power still retained by the fallen angels (including the chief one Satan) that would have allowed them to extract the eternal hidden purpose of God the Father’s Gospel of Grace to save sinful men and women of every race (through Christ’ death on the Cross) if He would have disclosed His Plans to the angels that remained obedient to Him in Heaven. Note: Albert Barnes, Adam Clarke, and Dr. John Gill Bible Expositor’s and Commentators that I greatly respect, admire, and have learned much from our Lord Jesus Christ through them disagree with me that both the good angels (that did not rebel in heaven) and the evil angels (that did rebel with Satan in heaven) are meant here by the Apostle Paul.

Remember Satan thought he had won when our Lord Jesus Christ died on Calvary until The Day of Pentecost when our Lord Jesus returned (through the Holy Spirit) and began gathering into His Body (the Church) all who would see themselves as sinners repent and believe the Gospel as Dr. Luke documented for us with these words spoken by the Apostle Peter on The Day of Pentecost, “And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of {and} release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is to {and} for you and your children, and to {and} for all that are far away, [even] to {and} for as many as the Lord our God invites {and} bids to come to Himself. And [Peter] solemnly {and} earnestly witnessed (testified) and admonished (exhorted) with much more continuous speaking {and} warned (reproved, advised, encouraged) them, saying, Be saved from this crooked (perverse, wicked, unjust) generation. Therefore those who accepted {and} welcomed his message were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.” (Acts 2:38-41).

The mystery of the Gospel of Grace bringing God to actually live inside (John 14:16-18) sinful men and women was kept in the bosom of God the Father to conceal it from His hated enemy the devil (who actually thought he could defeat his own creator). Even the Jews did not know that the Messiah would come in such meekness and humility to die the death of a criminal in order that all sinners Jew and Gentile could receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in their inner man or inner woman for they completely missed our Lord’s meaning when He said this in response to some Jews inquiry about the Kingdom of God, “Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, He replied to them by saying, ‘The Kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed {or} with visible display, Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the Kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] {and} among you [surrounding you].’” (Luke 17:20-21). Paul declares that both the good and evil angels are being educated “by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God” (Ephesians 3:10). This English word manifold Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word polupoikilos an adjective occurring only here in the Scripture meaning the many-sided or multifarious or multifaceted; that is, having many aspects to it. In other words, the Body of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ is manifesting or making evident or making visible God the Father’s infinite Wisdom by virtue of the Gospel of Grace that so radically changes a sinner from the inside that they truly become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17); a new race of human beings.

Why was God’s Purpose to only make the mystery known through His Son’s Body (the Church)? This education is to the delight of the holy angels that did not rebel, for they too are reconciled to Christ Jesus our Lord as Paul has already written to them with these words earlier in this same letter, “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:” (Ephesians 1:10) and also it brings them great joy when one sinner repents and receives Christ as our Lord Jesus said Himself with these words, “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10). The holy angels now know that they will never encounter their fallen brethren again when Christ returns the second time. However, to the angels/demons now that rebelled in heaven with the devil, they are being educated of their leader’s ultimate defeat, demise, and destruction as documented for us by these words written by the Apostle John, “Then the devil who had led them astray [deceiving and seducing them] was hurled into the fiery lake of burning brimstone, where the beast and false prophet were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (through the ages of the ages).” (Revelation 20:10). Not only was the devil self-deceived thinking he could overthrow God the Father, but he likewise deceived one-third of the angels in heaven to follow him and now they are “by the Church” (Ephesians 3:10) witnessing the many-sided Wisdom of God to completely redeem a lost human soul which can never happen for any of them because their eternal destiny is sealed and they cannot be redeemed or bought back from Satan’s ownership.

How horrible they must be to see (through the Body of Christ) their defeat and destruction and that Satan will not sit on the Throne, but our Lord Jesus Christ will as Paul expressed with these words to the Corinthian believers, “After that comes the end (the completion), when He delivers over the Kingdom to God the Father after rendering inoperative {and} abolishing every [other] rule and every authority and power. For [Christ] must be King {and} reign until He has put all [His] enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be subdued {and} abolished is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). These words Paul spoke in written form to these Corinthian believers tie in and complete the spiritual destruction of the devil and all the angels/demons and human beings who follow him as he wrote in this manner to the Jewish Christians, “Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought {and} make of no affect him who had the power of death--that is, the devil--And also that He might deliver {and} completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives. For, as we all know, He [Christ] did not take hold of angels [the fallen angels, to give them a helping and delivering hand], but He did take hold of [the fallen] descendants of Abraham [to reach out to them a helping and delivering hand].” (Hebrews 2:14-16).

Finally, Paul declares that God the Father has summed up everything He created in His vast reaching universes, that is, all things “According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” (Ephesians 3:11) as Paul declares it in this manner with these words written to the Colossian believers, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also Head of the Body, the Church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the Blood of His Cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” (Colossians 1:15-20). These words written by Paul inspired or breathed in by God the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16) sums up everything and there is nothing else left to be said.

My own Personal Note: “If it seems good and wise for men and women to have a plan for their brief life of vapor (James 4:14), how much more does it ring eternally true that the Eternal God would have an eternal plan for His created beings and the vast many universes that appeared from nothing at the speaking of His Powerful Words.”

“God’s gracious design to save a lost world by Jesus Christ could not be defeated by any cunning skill or malice of man or devils: whatever hindrances are thrown in the way, His Wisdom and Power can remove; and His Infinite Wisdom can never want ways or means to effect its gracious designs.” Adam Clarke

“When the cause of the Church and the salvation of mankind go forward, when righteousness and peace triumph, the morning stars sing together and the sons of God shout for joy. The joy that there is in the presence of the angels of God over the repenting sinner, is not the joy of sympathy or pity only; it is the delight of growing wisdom, of deepening insight into the ways of God, into the heart of the Father and the love that passes knowledge.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

“Greek, ‘that’ hina; The sense is, that it was with this design, or that this was the purpose for which all things were made. One grand purpose in the creation of the universe was that the Wisdom of God might be clearly shown by the Church. It was not enough to evince it by the formation of the sun, the stars, the earth, the seas, the mountains, the floods. It was not enough to show it by the creation of intelligent beings, the formation of immortal minds on earth, and the various ranks of the angelic world. There were views of the Divine character which could be obtained only in connection with the redemption of the world. Hence the universe was created, and man was made upon the earth, not merely to illustrate the Divine perfections in the work of creation, but in a still more illustrious manner in the work of redemption. And hence the deep interest which the angelic hosts have ever evinced in the salvation of man.” Albert Barnes

“There was a ‘beautiful and well-ordered variety of dispensations’ toward that Church, all of which tended to evince the Wisdom of God. It is like a landscape, or a panoramic view passing before the mind, with a great variety of phases and aspects, all tending to excite admiration. In the redemption of the Church, there is not merely one form or one phase of wisdom. It is wisdom, ever-varying, ever-beautiful. There was wisdom manifested when the plan was formed; wisdom in the selection of the Redeemer; wisdom in the incarnation; wisdom in the atonement; wisdom in the means of renewing the heart, and sanctifying the soul; wisdom in the various dispensations by which the Church is sanctified, guided, and brought to glory. The wisdom thus shown is like the ever-varying beauty of changing clouds, when the sun is reflected on them at evening. Each aspect is full of beauty. One bright; cloud differs in appearance from others; yet all tend to fill the mind with elevated views of God.” Albert Barnes

“These wise elder brothers of ours, rich in the lore of eternity, foresee the things to come as we cannot do. They are far above the smoke and dust of the earthly conflict. The doubts that shake the strongest souls amongst us, the cries of the hour which confuse and deceive us, do not trouble them. They behold us in our weakness, our fears, and our divisions; but they also look on Him who ‘sits expecting till His enemies are made His footstool.’ They see how calmly He sits, how patiently expectant, while the sound of clashing arms and the rage and tumult of the peoples go up from the earth. They mark the steadiness with which through century after century, in spite of refluent waves, the tide of mercy rises, and still rises on the shores of earth. Thrones, systems, civilizations have gone down; one after another of the powers that strove to crush or to corrupt Christ’s Church has disappeared; and still the name of Jesus lives and spreads. It has traversed every continent and sea; it stands at the head of the living and moving forces of the world. Those who come nearest to the angelic point of view, and judge of the progress of things not by the froth upon the surface, but by the trend of the deeper currents, are the most confident for the future of our race. The kingdom of Satan will not fall without a struggle-a last struggle, perhaps more furious than any in the past-but it is doomed, and waning to its end. So far has the Kingdom of Christ advanced, so mightily does the Word of God grow and prevail in the earth, that faith may well assure itself of the promised triumph. Soon we shall shout ‘Alleluia! The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!’” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

“The whole of salvation, in which is displayed the great Wisdom of God, is according to a purpose of His; the scheme of it is fixed in the council of peace; the thing itself is effected in pursuance of it; Christ, the Redeemer, was set forth in it; His incarnation, the time of His coming into the world, His sufferings and death, with all their circumstances, were decreed by God; and the persons for whom Christ became incarnate, suffered, and died, were appointed unto salvation by Him; and the application of it to them is according to His purpose; the time when, the place where, and the means whereby souls are converted, are all settled in the decrees of God; the Gospel itself, the preaching of it by such and such persons, its use to make men see the mysteries of grace, and the fellowship of them, and to make known these things to the angels of heaven, are all according to a Divine purpose: and this purpose is eternal, or was in the Mind of God from all eternity; for no new will can arise in Him; no purpose, resolution, or decree can be made by Him in time, which was not in His Breast from everlasting; and His Purpose concerning the salvation of men must be eternal, since a council of peace was held, a covenant of peace was made, a promise of life was given, persons were fixed upon to be saved, a Savior was appointed for them, and grace, and the blessings of it were put into His Hands before the world began.” Dr. John Gill

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 26

Paul declares to the Ephesian Believers the Purpose of God’s Mystery Revealed Part 2

Ephesians 3:9 And 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: KJV

As we discovered in the last study, the first purpose was that Paul preach Christ everywhere in the known world at that time. Now we find Paul declaring to these Ephesians that God’s purpose was for him (by his preaching Christ) “to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery” (Ephesians 3:9). The English phrase “to make all men see” Paul uses here is translated by one Greek word photizo which means to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; to enlighten or illuminate. In other words, Paul wanted his preaching of Christ and His Gospel of Grace to be brightly shining in the hearts or inner man or inner woman of every Gentile person in the known world at that time. Paul also wanted that each person would have a complete understanding of all that was theirs “in Christ” by faith as he already prayed for these Ephesian believers earlier in this letter using this very same word photizo, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened (photizo); that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18). The tense in which Paul uses this verb photizo expresses action and in this case the past action of what God the Father has done for these Ephesians and every one of us who have truly been redeemed by Christ Blood.

It was the mystery of these Gentile Ephesians and all Gentiles being admitted into covenant relationship with God’s chosen people the Jews that Paul wants everyone everywhere to have clear spiritual insight and understanding about. Paul expresses this truth by the use of the English word fellowship which is translated by the Greek word koinonia which means partnership, that is, participation or social intercourse or communion. It was the eternal truth that God the Father through our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ by the Power of the Holy Spirit was currently through Paul’s and the other Apostle’s preaching of the Gospel gathering together into one Body all people to Himself and in so doing every true believer is the benefactor of all the spiritual blessing that are due to this reality of being “in Christ.” Dr. John Gill has this to say of the fellowship of the mystery, “The mystery is the Gospel; the fellowship of it is the communication of grace by it, a participation of the truths and doctrines of it, communion with Father, Son, and Spirit, which the Gospel calls and leads unto, and that equal concern and interest which both Jews and Gentiles have in the privileges of it. Now men are naturally in the dark about these things, and the ministry of the word is the means of enlightening them, and is indeed the grand design of it; and the ministers of the Gospel do instrumentally enlighten persons, though it is God only that does it efficiently; and for this, gifts of grace were bestowed upon the Apostle, even for the enlightening of all men, not every individual person in the world, but some of all sorts, particularly Gentiles, as well as Jews.”

Paul now declares to these Ephesian believers again that this mystery of the Gospel of Grace through faith in Jesus Christ “from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God” (Ephesians 3:9). When Paul writes from the beginning of the world, he means primarily the period of time when man was first created, but he also means from the period of time when all other things in God’s vast and many universes were created by Him including the intelligent beings we know as angels or as Paul refers to them as principalities and powers as we will see in the next study. The English phrase “hath been hid” Paul uses here is translated by one Greek word apokrupto which means to conceal away completely; to keep secret or to hide. Paul has already given these Ephesian believers earlier in this letter a glimpse of the fact that God the Father kept the mystery of Christ and the complete purpose of his birth, death, and resurrection to Himself (Ephesians 1:9 & Colossians 1:26-27). Paul now discloses the entire purpose of God the Father to hide away in His own counsel (even from His chosen people Israel) that He would indeed gather to Himself people of every tribe, tongue, and nation of His created world as Paul wrote in this manner in closing his letter to the believers in Rome, “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the Prophets, according to the commandment of the Eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only Wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 16:25-27).

Paul closes his revelations in this verse of Scripture to these Ephesian believers by declaring to them that God the Father “created all things by Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:9). This means all the things that we listed above were made manifest by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as the Apostle declares it with these marvelous, magnificent, and mighty words, “IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made {and} came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.” (John 1:1-3) and also the writer of Hebrews speaks of our Lord Jesus Christ in this manner, “IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in {and} by the Prophets, [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir {and} lawful Owner of all things, also by {and} through Whom He created the worlds {and} the reaches of space {and} the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].” (Hebrews 1:1-2).

My own Personal Note: John 5:24 (AMP): “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the person whose ears are open to My words [who listens to My message] and believes, trusts in, clings to and relies on Him who sent Me has (possesses now) eternal life. In addition, he does not come into judgment [does not incur sentence of judgment, will not come under condemnation], but he has already passed over out of death into life.” The Lord Jesus Christ is saying that to truly hear (the Gospel) means more than the outward act of hearing. It means to receive in a proper manner and to suffer it to make its proper impression on our minds and to obey. Many people outwardly hear the Gospel without either understanding or obeying it. Trusting Christ is the opposite of being dead in sins and under Satan’s authority and control. It is eternal life begun right now in this dispensation. Think about it this way. Those who are dead regard nothing. They are unaffected by the cares, pleasures, and amusements of the world. They hear neither the voice of happiness nor any of the “living” going on over or around their graves. That is how it was with me while I was under Satan’s authority. I was unmoved with the things of Christ. I could not hear the voice of God, nor did I see His majesty, splendor, and loveliness. I was unmoved and unconcerned by His threatening. Nevertheless, Christ is “life.” I now live my life with God. I feel and act as if God is all that matters (which, of course is true). The happiness of Heaven is living for God, being sensible of His presence, glory, and power, and rejoicing in that. My conduct and behavior now gives me the life and happiness that shall be everlasting. It is life begun, expanded, ripening toward Heaven! I have already entered into my inheritance, that inheritance that is everlasting. God destroyed Satan’s authority in my life. Excerpt from my Book entitled, “Silent Assassins of the Soul: Finding Freedom from Sexual Impurity through the Lord Jesus Christ, A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs”

“No wonder that He saves the Gentiles as well as the Jews; for He is the common Creator of them both: and we may conclude that He is able to perform the work of their redemption, seeing He was able to accomplish the great work of creation. It is true that both the first creation, when God made all things out of nothing, and the new creation, whereby sinners are made new creatures by converting grace, are of God by Jesus Christ.” Matthew Henry

“Dr. Whately (Errors of Romanism, chapter ii. section 1) renders it, the common participation of the mystery; that is, of truths formerly unknown, and which could not be known by man’s unaided powers, but which were now laid open by the gracious dispensation of Divine Providence; no longer concealed, or confined to a few, but to be partaken of by all. The allusion, according to him, is to the mysteries of the ancient pagan religions; and he supposes that the Apostle designs to contrast those ‘mysteries’ with Christianity. In those ‘mysteries’ there was a distinction between the initiated and uninitiated. There was a revelation to some of the worshippers, of certain holy secrets from which others were excluded. There were in some of the mysteries, as the Elensinian, ‘great and lesser’ doctrines in which different persons were initiated. In strong contrast with these, the ‘great mystery’ in Christianity was made known to all. It was concealed from none and there was no distinction made among those who were initiated. No truths which God had revealed were held back from any part, but there was a common participation by all. Christianity has no hidden truths for a part only of its friends; it has no ‘reserved’ doctrines; it has no truths to be entrusted only to a sacred priesthood. Its doctrines are to be published to the wide world, and every follower of Christ is to be a partaker of all the benefits of the truths which Christ has revealed.” Albert Barnes

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 25

Paul declares to the Ephesian Believers the Purpose of God’s Mystery Revealed Part 1

Ephesians 3:8 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; KJV

As we declared in the last study, Paul considered himself to be unworthy of such a high calling from God to be an Apostle of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:9-10) we documented his thoughts with these two (2) verses in the last study, but Paul now declares this same estimation of himself to these Ephesian believers when he says, “who am less than the least of all saints” (Ephesians 3:8). This English phrase Paul uses here is translated by one Greek word found nowhere else in the entire New Testament elachistoteros which means far less or very little in dignity. Paul forever felt himself as the lesser Apostle because he saw (by grace given him from our Lord Jesus) the tremendous depth, depravity, and degeneracy of his sin as he declared with these words written to Brother Timothy, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” (1 Timothy 1:15). In other words, Paul felt that he was so unworthy of being an Apostle of Jesus Christ, but as we declared in the last study he knew that our Lord Jesus had saved him and then commissioned him for this office in His Body to fulfill the eternal purpose of revealing God’s mystery to the Gentiles and the entire world.

Surely Paul was made aware of these words spoken about him by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to Ananias as recorded for us by Dr. Luke, “Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your Name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My Name’s sake.’” (Acts 9-10-16).

Paul armed with the knowledge of these words spoken of him by our Lord Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit and full of grace set out to acclaim, annunciate, or announce to the entire Gentile world what he describes here as “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). The English word unsearchable Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word anexichniastos which means not tracked out, that is, (by implication) untraceable or past finding out. In other words, even the passionate Apostle Paul could not plumb or measure the depth lines of the riches of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, nor can any man or woman in His Mystical Body the True Church. The Apostle Paul was a Divinely chosen and elected vessel for Christ’ sake, yet we find him speaking of this truth in this manner to the Brothers and Sisters in the Philippian Church when he wrote this to them, “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) {and} make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me {and} made me His own.” (Philippians 3:10-12).

Paul spoke of this fact again when writing to the Roman believers about the truths of the Jewish Nation in the entirety of Romans 11 and he concluded this Chapter with these words speaking of the deepness and profoundness of our God the Lord Jesus Christ, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)! For who has known the mind of the Lord {and} who has understood His thoughts, or who has [ever] been His counselor? Or who has first given God anything that He might be paid back {or} that He could claim a recompense? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it).” (Romans 11:33-36).

My own Personal Note: The mystery hidden is the Church which God the Father through the death of Christ and by the Power of the Spirit would gather all men of every race Jew and Gentile into the Mystical Spiritual Body of Jesus Christ and seat them in heavenly places “in Him” away from Satan’s ability to hurt them eternally. This is why God the Father kept this sacred secret to Himself to completely thwart Satan’s plans against the redemption of man back to Himself. Christ death on the Cross was the Divine Key that unlocked the mystery at the same time locking it from Satan’s knowledge and understanding.

“Those whom God advances to honorable employments He humbles and makes low in their own eyes; and, where God gives grace to be humble, there He gives all other grace. You may also observe in what a different manner the Apostle speaks of himself and of his office. While he magnifies his office, he debases himself. Observe, A faithful minister of Christ may be very humble, and think very meanly of himself, even when he thinks and speaks very highly and honorably of his sacred function. How highly he speaks of Jesus Christ: The unsearchable riches of Christ. There is a mighty treasury of mercy, grace, and love, laid up in Christ Jesus, and that both for Jews and Gentiles. Or, the riches of the Gospel are here spoken of as the riches of Christ: the riches which Christ purchased for, and bestows upon, all believers. And they are unsearchable riches, which we cannot find the bottom of, which human sagacity could never have discovered, and men could no otherwise attain to the knowledge of them but by revelation. Now it was the Apostle’s business and employment to preach these unsearchable riches of Christ among the Gentiles: and it was a favor he greatly valued, and looked upon it as an unspeakable honor to him: ‘Unto me is this grace given; this special favor God has granted to such an unworthy creature as I am.’ And it is an unspeakable favor to the Gentile world that to them the unsearchable riches of Christ are preached. Though many remain poor, and are not enriched with these riches, yet it is a favor to have them preached among us, to have an offer of them made to us; and, if we are not enriched with them, it is our own fault.” Matthew Henry

“The meaning here is, that there was a “sufficiency” in Christ which could not be traced out or explored. It was wholly incomprehensible. The fullness of the riches in Him could not be appreciated. There is no more emphatic expression in the New Testament than this. It shows that the heart of the Apostle was full of admiration of the sufficiency and glory that was in the Savior; that he wanted words to express it; and that he considered it the highest honor to be permitted to tell the world that there were such riches in the Redeemer.” Albert Barnes

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…