Ephesians: His Glorious RichesSample

Paul’s chains did not invalidate his ministry or frustrate God’s purposes. In verses 7–9 Paul continues to describe the nature of his ministry. He tells us three things:

The source of his ministry was the grace of God (vv. 2, 7). God had turned a persecutor into a preacher (1 Tim. 1:15–16). Paul never ceased to be amazed at the way in which grace had invaded his life (v. 8). Our testimony may be less dramatic than Paul’s, but all of us owe everything to God’s sheer, undeserved grace. 

The substance of his ministry was a call to preach the good news of ‘the boundless riches of Christ’ (v. 8). All the treasures of God lie in Christ, and we receive countless blessings in and through Him. He is the proof and provision of God’s grace for us. The gospel is always about Jesus (Acts 2:22–24). 

The scope of his ministry was universal. Paul was sent to ‘make plain to everyone’ the gospel (v. 9). This phrase may be translated ‘bring it clearly into the light’. The gospel must be shared with all people, irrespective of their background (Rom. 1:16–17). 

Paul then goes on to describe the universal scope of the plans of God (vv. 10–12). God’s ultimate purpose for this fractured world is to unite everything under the headship of Christ (1:9–10). The unity of the church is a demonstration of this eternal purpose in the present age (vv. 10–11). This display is for the invisible spiritual powers of the angelic world. God effectively says, ‘Look at my church! Look at its access to me!’ (v. 12). One day the whole cosmos will display this unity under the headship of Christ. 

The unity of Jews and Gentiles in the church is like a movie trailer. When you have seen the trailer, you want to see the film. It gives a realistic foretaste of what you can expect. The church shows how one day all the world’s divisions and brokenness will be healed. This is why Paul is so passionate about church unity (4:1–6). Is your church a good trailer? 

Paul closes this section with a word of encouragement. He is in prison for the sake of this breathtaking truth (v. 13). Whatever we face for the sake of the gospel, it is worth it. 

Reflection

What are the ‘boundless riches of Christ’ (v. 8; Col. 1:15– 20)? How does knowledge of these riches affect the way in which we live now?