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THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD'S WISDOM As we learned in the previous lesson, the new creation by God: of a new race of mankind "in Messiah Jesus," Who is "the last Adam," is the center, the main theme, of this letter by Paul to his "Ephesian" readers. So important is it that Paul now devotes what has become an whole chapter to discuss some implications of it and to utter an impromptu prayer that his readers may apprehend it and so be blessed. This present study, therefore, merits our careful attention. Through this study we may expect personal blessing. For Paul it had taught him a reason why God put him on the shelf of imprisonment for four years. We learn that this revelation interprets what had long been a great mystery in the dealings of God with men. We find that its implications reach even into the heavenly realm itself. And it stretches us to appreciate anew and increasingly the depth and scope of the plans of God in our behalf. PAUL'S IMPISONMENT AND THE MYSTERY. In Verse One of this Third Chapter Paul says "For this cause," refers to his own imprisonment, and then seems to ramble off on a tangent. Then in Verse 14 again he says "For this cause." Once again, at the start of Chapter Four, Paul declares, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you" Is this another example by Paul of his way of starting a subject, going off on a tangent, then beginning again to get on with his main theme? A casual reading of the text might cause one to think so. But a careful study of the chapter shows that there is a deeper meaning, and Paul is not going off on tangents. In Verse One Paul seems to be saying that in order for God to explain to the Gentiles their part in the new, "fourth" creation, He had to make Paul a prisoner. Paul was at the zenith of his career as Apostle. He had carried the Gospel to places hitherto unreached. He had ambitious plans: not only to visit Rome but to go to Spain as well (See Romans 15:24). But instead, God has "put him on the shelf," locked him away in prison for several years. Why? We know that prison life was irksome, painful, for Paul. (See Acts 26:29, last three words; also see Philippians 1:7,13-14,17: the four times stated "my bonds.") Here in Ephesians he again calls attention to his imprisonment. To do God's work was proving costly for Paul. Blessings are free; but often they are not free. They are freely given, but sometimes costly to receive. Paul once had the privilege of being taken up to the "third heaven," to "paradise," (II Corinthians 12:2-4), but it cost him an incurable "thorn in the flesh." You might find yourself the recipient of a large inheritance, from which federal estate taxes have already been paid by the executor of the decedent; but when you receive the funds, the state steps in and says, "you can't have something that large for nothing: you personally have a state inheritance tax to pay." And even God's blessings, so freely given, may exact from us a price. It cost Paul four years in prison: two in Caesarea (See Acts 24:27) and two in Rome (Acts 28:30) to be given the privilege of revealing this "mystery" of God to the Gentiles. What is the answer for us then? When you find yourself the victim of a special hardship, be on the lookout for God's accompanying special blessing. When in prison, Paul was given the revelation of a mystery (Vs. 3). A "mystery" as used in Scripture is some important truth long known in the mind of God, heretofore hidden to former generations, but now according to Divine schedule being revealed to mankind. (Vs. 5). Paul declares that this special mystery being revealed in Ephesians is that Gentiles share equally with Jews in the blessings of God. (Vs. 6). This is an important benefit to mankind of the new, "fourth," creation. FURTHER ASPECTS OF THE NEW CREATION. Why did God previously withhold knowledge of this "mystery"? It is true that in the Old Testament there were hints at it. (See, e.g., Isaiah 49:6; Jeremiah 16:19-21.) And further, Paul has touched upon certain aspects of it, (e.g., Romans 15:9-12). But the full-orbed interpretation, that it is a new creation, and that this new creation is "in Messiah," is now finally and fully set forth. Why this delay, and why now? Paul seems to give the answer, here in Verses 8 and 9. He writes, "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Messiah; and (or even) to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things." This, it seems to the writer, is to stress that this "new creation" is in Jesus. Until the Messiah came, the new creation in Him could not be shown. Without a "last Adam," there could not be a new race of mankind. Apart from Him there could not be a new man. In fact, He is the new man. So Paul in another place could declare, "for me to live is Messiah," (Philippians 1:21), and again "I have been crucified with Messiah, and it is no longer I that live, but Messiah liveth in me," (Galatians 2:20) and yet again in Colossians he wrote: "the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints, to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Messiah in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:26-27). This mystery, then, is a now-revealed part of the "unsearchable riches" spoken of in Verse 8 of our chapter. This new creation in Him is but one of His many riches, so great and so many that they are "past finding out." God the Father has withheld knowledge of the mystery, and has now revealed it, in order that it might bring greater honour and glory unto Jesus. Therefore, in our prayers and worship, let us remember to give praise for this further glory of our Saviour. REVELATION TO THOSE IN THE REALMS OF HEAVEN. And there is yet a further aspect of the matter. In Verse 10 we read that it was "to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God." The revelation of this mystery is not just for us who are on earth. That alone makes it a marvelous revelation. But there are also beings in the realms of heaven who must be taught this marvel. Who are these principalities and powers? When we come to the sixth chapter we shall find that they are in warfare against holy things. And these "enemies" must be taught by this "new creation," this "new mankind" which is "the church." It is by the changed character, and the changed conduct, of those constituting the church, that God can demonstrate to His enemies the multifaceted wisdom of His plans. When the great Serpent, Satan, in the Garden of Eden, tempted Man and Woman to sin, he thought he had God impaled on the horns of a dilemma. Satan, who it seems has absolutely no understanding of the concept of love, thought he had demonstrated a fundamental flaw in the plans of God. Man, the crown of that entire creative process, had failed. Either God must destroy Man and thus show an inherent weakness in this flawed plan, Satan thought, or if He let man live, God must prove Himself unholy. But God had His own "ace in the hole." He had hidden away his New Creation, hinted at back in Eden by His reference to the "seed of the woman," centered in the Last Adam, and this new creation, the church, by its redeemed and changed character, will demonstrate in heaven God's transcendant wisdom. How tremendous, complex, all-embracing, is this demonstration of the wisdom of God! He outthinks and outmaneuvers all His opponents, and amazes us with Himself. And when we comprehend this, what a challenge it is to us not to quit ("may not faint" (vs. 13) in the face of "tribulations" which seem to surround us. PAUL'S PRAYER FOR HIS READERS. Overwhelmed as he himself is by the scope and magnitude of the glory of this "mystery," Paul breaks forth into an impromptu prayer for his readers. (3:14-21). "For this cause," he writes; and as we read this prayer, we, his readers, may, can, and should claim this prayer for ourselves. First, Paul acknowledges the benevolent hand of God, and petitions His grace for the readers. He cites the universal concern of God for all persons both on earth and in heaven, and suggests to God that granting the petition will demonstrate the wealth of His grace. Paul then itemizes several prayer requests for His readers: (1) that their souls be "strengthened" by God's Spirit; (2) that "by faith" they open their hearts to Messiah that He might make His home there; (3) that like trees they might sink their roots deep "in" God's "love"; (4) that in their minds they may reach out to grasp the full significance of the all-embracing and beyond-knowing "love of Messiah" for them; and finally (5) attain the impossible: be filled "unto all the fulness of God" Himself. On the one hand, a prayer so complete as to be impossible of fulfillment. But it should be taken step-by-step. First, let the Spirit of God enter us to our strengthening. As we feel our souls strengthened, we should seek to open ourselves further to Jesus. Then, as He not only has His home in us, but remains "at home" with us, we can begin more and more to sink the roots of our hearts in His love. Our hearts sinking their roots, and our minds, as far as possible uncluttered by affairs of this world, exercising their thoughts upon His love. As, step by step we strive for these things, it will be up to God to fill us with Himself. Is this too great a prayer for us? Dare we say "amen" for ourselves to these petitions? The extent of them overwhelm us, and, yes, they frighten us. But for Paul, these petitions are not impossible of fulfillment. His paean expresses his complete confidence that God will be able to fulfill his requests. Not only so, but that God can and will go much beyond them. His power is unlimited, and His answer to prayer can be unlimited. For Him to do so will bring unlimited glory to Himself, in His church, in Messiah Jesus, unto all generations of men, and unto ages upon ages. It will behoove us, and will encourage and bless us, to memorize the doxology with which this prayer ends. "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be the glory in the church and in Messiah Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21.)
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW, STUDY, AND DISCUSSION
1. From the reading of this lesson, what new truth have you learned which can be a new challenge to you in the present days of your life?
2. In 4:1-3 Paul pleads that his readers strive for three goals. What are they? How do you see any of these goals as challenges for yourself?
3. In verses 4-7 two inconspicuous words have important significance. They are "but" (vs. 7) and "according" (also vs. 7). What do you think Paul is trying to emphasize by the use of these two words?
4. We are told that Jesus assigned certain abilities to some individuals (vs. 11). Paul goes on to point out several intended results (vss. 12ff.) a. What are they? List them. b. Do you know of any special gift with which God has endowed you? c. If each one of us has some gift, how are you using yours?
5. What constitutes childishness (vs. 14) in the Christian life? Are you outgrowing the childishness in your own life?
6. In vss. 15-16 Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to illustrate Christian growth. a. How does each "joint" help the whole body? b. In stressing this cooperation of the body parts, what does Paul see as the progress of the whole body? c. Among the Christians you know, do you think there is need for greater Christian mutual development? If so, how can you contribute to it? 7. Suggested memory verses: Ephesians 4:4-7.
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