Paul and the Gentiles
A. vs. 1. PAUL LOOKS BACK TO CHAPTER 2.
1. Past and Present condition of Gentile Christians.
2. Reconciliation moves Paul to utter a prayer, asking certain blessings on their
behalf (vs. 14f.).
B. vs. 2-13. A PARETHETICAL STATEMENT.
1. Explains his part in God’s Eternal Purpose.
2. The church’s place is also named in general terms.
A. IN WHAT SENSE WAS GOD’S PURPOSE A MYSTERY?
1. Not revealed in other generations (vs. 5; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; 1 Cor. 2:6-9).
2. Now has it been revealed.
B. MADE KNOWN BY REVELATION (vs. 3-5).
1. As opposed to being discovered (1 Cor. 1:21).
2. As opposed to being taught by other men (Gal. 1:11-12).
3. Revealed to the apostles and prophets (vs.3, 5; Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 1:12).
4. Revealed by the Spirit (vs. 5).
5. “Which things we speak …” (1 Cor. 1:12-13). NOT IN MAN’S WORDS.
6. Written so that understanding might be imparted (vs. 4; 2 Tim. 3;16-17).
C. WITH WHAT PART OF THE MYSTERY WAS PAUL ESPECIALLY
CONCERNED? (vs. 6-7).
1. The Gentiles are fellow-heirs.
a. Sons of God (Rom. 8:16-17).
b. Sons of Abraham (Gal. 3:6-7, 28-29).
c. Share in the inheritance (1 Pet. 1:3-5).
2. The Gentiles are fellow-members of the body.
a. One body made up of Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2;14-16).
b. A part of the reconciled body (Eph. 2:16).
3. The Gentiles are fellow-partakers of the promise.
a. As it was promised to Eve and Abraham (Gen. 3:15; 12:3).
b. In Christ (Acts 4:12; 1 John 2:1-2; 1 Tim. 4:3-4).
c. Through the gospel (1 Cor. 1:21; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:15).
D. PAUL CONSIDERS THIS MINISTRY A GIFT (vs. 7).
A. THE LEAST OF ALL SAINTS (vs. 8; 1 Tim. 1;12-15; 2 Cor. 4:5; 12:15).
B. AN APOSTLE T THE GENTILES (vs. 8; Acts 9:15-16).
C. HE WAS TO MAKE ALL MEN SEE THE MYSTERY (vs. 9).
D. THE PURPOSE OF THIS AND SIMILAR MINISTRIES – TO MAKE KNOWN THE
MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD THROUGH THE CHURCH (vs. 10).
E. A PART OF THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD IN CHRIST
(vs. 11; Eph. 1:9-10, 23; 1 Tim. 3:15).
F. AS THEY RECOGNIZE HIS PLACE, HE ASKS THAT THEY NOT BE
DISCOURAGED WHEN THEY SEE HIM SUFFER (vs. 13).
A. ADDRESSED TO THE FATHER (vs. 14).
B. THAT HE WOULD GRANT THREE THINGS:
1. That ye be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man. Refers
to their faith and stedfastness being increased by the revealer of their faith.
2. That Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith.
3. That ye may be strong to apprehend the love of Christ.
a. It’s quality and quantity.
b. But first they must be rooted and grounded in love.
Glory to God!
In Christ (Eph. 1:9-10)
In the Church (1:22-23)
