The Church's Mystery

Are God’s ways a mystery? Is gentile inclusion in the church part of that mystery? What consequence did Paul face for preaching the good news to gentiles?

This is why I, Paul, am a prisoner of Christ for you Gentiles. (Ephesians 3:1 CEB)

Who chose Paul for this mission?

You have surely heard about God's gift of undeserved grace in choosing me to help you. In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me his mysterious ways. (Ephesians 3:2-3 CEV)

When was the mystery of Christ made known?

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. (Ephesians 3:4-5 ESV)

What is that mystery?

The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Ephesians 3:6 HCSB)

What was Paul’s call to service?

Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. (Ephesians 3:7 KJV)

What was Paul’s call to service?

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8 NASB)

What else did Paul’s service involve?

and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. (Ephesians 3:9 NIV)

Is the church a display of God’s wisdom even to those in heaven?

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 3:10 NLT)

Is this all because of Christ?

according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. (Ephesians 3:11-12 NKJV)

What did Paul encourage them to think about his persecution?

So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored. (Ephesians 3:13 NLT)

How did Paul pray?

For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:14 WEB)

To whom do we owe our existence?

All beings in heaven and on earth receive their life from him. (Ephesians 3:15 CEV)

What was Paul’s prayer for them?

I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit. (Ephesians 3:16 CEB)

Why?

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17 ESV)

To understand what?

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:18-19 HCSB)

How much more is God able to do than we can ever imagine?

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 glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV)

The church has a mystery that God uses to teach even angels in heaven about his wisdom. Do we understand that great mystery or do we still separate ourselves from others? You decide!