Sermon Series
Week 3
Ephesians 3:1-21 | God’s Grace, Power, and Love are for All Peoples
Preaching Commentary
Context
The body of the letter continues in chapter 3. If it were not for chapters 4-6, we could even believe that Paul was about to close this letter after we read what appears to be a benediction in vs. 20-21. Perhaps false endings don’t only happen in sermons!
Mission Connection
The Greek word ethnos appears 3 times in the first 8 verses of chapter 3. It appears a total of 5 times in Ephesians (2:11; 3:1, 6, 8; 4:16) and every time it is translated as “Gentiles.” This is the most common translation in the New Testament. The second most common translation is “nations” (cf. Matt. 28:19; Gal. 3:8; Rev. 7:9). It’s important to remember that for the Jews of Jesus’ day, there were Jews and everyone else—Gentiles. Remember the controversy in Acts 15, when the apostles flesh out some of what it means that the Gentiles are believing and receiving the Holy Spirit. Missionally, the significance cannot be overstated that Paul has been called to Gentiles/the rest of the world – as he mentions here in Ephesians.
Preaching Angles
The Mystery of the Gospel
“Mystery” is referred to in verses 3, 4, and 9. In this chapter, Paul simply says that the mystery he’s discussing is that “the gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (vs. 6). This is a mystery that directly relates to mission! Through the Gospel of Jesus, all the peoples on the earth are given a path to reconciliation to God. Gentiles are IN! The active component emphasized here, again, is grace. What’s more, Paul understands a part of his work to be helping everyone see the reality of this mystery (vs. 9).
Suffering for the Glory of Gospel
Paul mentions that he’s in prison for Christ (vs. 1) and, furthermore, he has experienced suffering for “y’all” (vs. 13), the Ephesians he is writing to. What’s interesting (shocking?) is that he says his suffering “is your (plural) glory (vs. 13). It isn’t clear what is meant here and is likely a reference to something fairly well understand by his first readers that he didn’t feel a need to include for all posterity. At the least, it’s safe to say that this is an indicator of the relationship Paul has with the Ephesian church.
While suffering is certainly something that is familiar to all humans, suffering for the Gospel is not something common in American culture. It is common, however, in many parts of the world where the Gospel is spreading rapidly.
Experiencing the Fullness of God
Surprisingly, it is out of this brief discussion of suffering that Paul launches into a beautiful description of his prayers for the Ephesians. Ultimately, his prayer is for them to “be filled with all the fullness of God” (vs. 19). This fullness involves strength through the power of the Spirit (vs. 16), Christ dwelling in their hearts through faith and for deep-rooted love (vs. 17) and a deep understanding of how much Christ does, in fact, love them (vs.18-19). This is a life that we all want and is well worth praying for ourselves and our mission partners!
The end of chapter 3 works as a wonderful benediction. The power of God works in us to bring God glory! We are not transformed by Christ for our sake alone, but to bring God glory that living out those good works God has ready for us (Eph. 2:10)!
Discussion Questions
How does recognizing our ministry or mission as a gift of grace — rather than a duty — change how we approach sharing the Good News with others?
Why is understanding the depth of Christ’s love essential for participating in God’s mission to the nations (ethne)?
Paul’s imprisonment and suffering are presented not as a setback but as something for the Ephesians’ glory (v. 13). How can suffering or hardship in the Christian life serve a greater purpose, especially in light of mission and witness? How is suffering for the Gospel different from the sufferings of the human life in general?
The chapter ends with a powerful benediction about God doing “immeasurably more” through us (vv. 20–21). How does this shape your view of your personal role in God’s global mission — especially if you feel limited, unqualified, or small?
Sermon Resources
Key Quotes
- View
The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.
Apology (AD 197).
- View
Paul’s insight that Gentiles are co-heirs, co-members, and co-participants in the gospel is not a mere sociological adjustment—it is a radical theological revelation.
Paul and the Faithfulness of God, Vol. 2, (Fortress Press, 2013), p. 785.
- View
The mystery was not something unknowable; it was previously hidden but now revealed—that in Christ, all nations are brought into the one people of God.
Commentary on the Epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians (New International Commentary on the New Testament, NICNT), (Eerdmans, 1984), p. 310.
- View
The sufferings of Paul are not interruptions to his mission but are intrinsic to it; through them the message of Christ crucified is embodied.
Key Illustration
- View
Joy in Persecution
The first thing the group of American church leaders noticed about the Central Asian pastor they were meeting was his smile.
It was huge. It was so big that anyone who looked at it had to smile too!
Then the pastor spoke and smiled even bigger, “The last time I was in prison they beat me every day for 2 weeks and I have to tell you how GOOD God is!”
The Americans were stunned. The pastor went on ahead as his joy increased even more. “Right before I arrived, there was a Muslim Imam imprisoned who had been telling all the prisoners how horrible they were and that God was going to punish them for eternity.”
The pastor’s excitement continued growing, so much so that the others were feeling excited and joyful themselves even though they couldn’t tell why. “And then I got there, and told them about Jesus and how much God loves them! Isn’t God so good?!”
For most of the Americans, this was the first time they’d met a believer who had been persecuted for the sake of the Gospel. But what they had to come away with was not the suffering, but the goodness of God and the joy of following him.
Liturgical Resources
Call to Worship
- Adapted from Ephesians 3:18-19View
I pray that
Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith
that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Lord, we echo the words of Paul’s prayer as we worship you today. Help us all to know your love.
Adapted for responsive reading
Bible Translation: ESV English Standard Version Crossway PublishingScripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
Prayer of Adoration
- View
Jesus Christ, the love that gives love,
You are higher than the highest star;
you are deeper than the deepest sea;
You cherish us as your own family;
You embrace us as your own spouse;
You rule over us as your own subjects;
You welcome us as your dearest friend;
Let all the world worship you.Holy Spirit, the life that gives life,
You are the cause of all movement;
You are the breath of all creatures;
You are the salve that purifies our souls;
You are the ointment that heals our wounds;
You are the fire that warms our hearts;
You are the light that guides our feet,
Let all the world praise you.O eternal God,
Turn us into the arms and hands,
The legs and feet
Of you beloved Son, Jesus.
He was with you in heaven
Before the creation of the world.
You created us on earth
To become his living body.
Make us worthy to be his limbs,
And so worthy to share
In his eternal bliss.HarperCollins Book of Prayers (Castle Books, 1993).
Prayer of Confession (shorter)
- View
Lord Jesus, we approach Your throne with confidence, though we recognize the sin in our lives. Help us to hold on to the good and growing work You have begun in us. Continue to grow us into Your likeness Jesus, in your mercy.
Prayer of Confession (Longer)
- View
Heavenly Father, Your love for us is so very evident. Everywhere we look, we see tangible proof of Your great care for us. Yet, when it comes to following You, we confess that we often don’t surrender our entire selves. We hold back portions of our lives that we would rather control instead of releasing them to Your loving care. Have mercy upon us, Lord. Forgive us for frequently saying one thing and doing another. May our words and our actions line up. Make us willing to suffer for the cause of Christ, knowing full well that You will never leave us or forsake us. We pray this humbly, in Christ’s Name. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
- Inspired by Ephesians 3View
Hear the good news of the boundless riches of Christ: our God has pity on the weak and delivers the needy when they call. In Christ Jesus our Lord we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him, for in Christ our sins are forgiven. The light of God’s mercy has come, so arise, shine, and be at peace.
Incorporates scripture mainly from NSRVUE.
Bible Translation: NRSVUE New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition Friendship PressScripture quotations marked (NRSVUE) are from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Benediction
- View
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Bible Translation: ESV English Standard Version Crossway PublishingScripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.