Our Part in the Mystery

Last time we considered Paul’ review of things before he prays in verse 14. It was like Paul and the Apostles opened a great big, secret treasure chest (we spoke about that in chapter one) and they got to look in it for the first time. Now we are invited to look into the treasure chest and see all the wonderful things God in His grace has for us. Paul reminds us of THE FORMATION OF THE CHURCH v2-6 It Was Divinely Revealed. v3-5 It Was Not Known in the Past. v5  It Was the Establishment of a New United Family. v6 then, THE PROCLAMATION OF THE CHURCH. v7-9 Paul was Preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. v7-8 And he was Training Jew and Gentile to Live in Unity. v9 And Paul now continues in verses 10-13 to reveal to us our task, our privilege and our cost as part of this revealed mystery.

Paul opens chapter 3 prepared to pray, but he is moved to reiterate the truths he has taught in chapters 1 and 2. So in a lengthy parenthetical diversion, Paul reminds us again of the importance of God’s establishment of the church and the fact that God revealed the purpose and ministry of the church to him and sent him up specifically as a missionary to the Gentiles who are readily welcomed into God’s family when receiving His saving grace through Jesus Christ.

In verses 11-22, Paul considers our outward lives. He compares our former living without Christ to our present living in Christ. Paul shows how salvation in Christ’s finished work on the cross unites every believer, Jew and Gentile. He proceeds to declare that our privileges are equal and illustrates this reality with heavenly citizenship and the illustration of the building of a temple.

In the first portion of chapter 2, Paul contrasts our souls before salvation and our souls after salvation. He describes for us God’s gracious unseen work on the inside in saving our souls. In verses 11-22, Paul considers our outward lives. He compares our former living without Christ to our present living in Christ.

In Ephesians 1, Paul looks at eternity past and causes us to marvel at the wondrous treasures that God had prepared for His children. He then prays for us to grasp all that we have in Christ. Now in Ephesians 2, Paul looks at our present reality in Christ by first reminding us of who we were without Jesus, and then contrasting that with our salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. He also reminds us of the means of our salvation and the purpose for our salvation.

Of all the confusion and unanswered questions in the world, there are two questions, that when correctly answered, bring life and purpose to everything. It is the answer to these two questions that sets true, life transforming, Bible Christianity apart from every other religion or philosophy in the world: Who is Jesus? and Did Jesus raise from the dead?