Ephesians 3:10-12 (English Standard Version)
10so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
We see the purpose/grand design of God’s salvation plan.
Grace was given to Paul to announce the riches of Christ (v.8) and to enlighten all to the mystery of plan (v.9) – so that the wisdom of God would be made known (v.10)
“manifold” – variegated, very many sided
Used to speak of the richly diversified nature of the divine wisdom
In this context, the variegated wisdom references God’s diverse ways of working which led to multiracial, multi-cultural community being united into the body of Christ
wisdom is closely tied to mystery – mystery is shaped by God’s wisdom (wisdom designed plan) and God’s wisdom is revealed by the mystery (plan reveals God’s wisdom to rulers authorities).
This is not only God’s wisdom, but it is also He who reveals it.
Although Paul is active in his missionary work, preaching the riches of Christ and revealing God’s hidden purpose, only God can make known his wisdom.
The enlightening of the principalities and powers in the heavenly places is effected through the church. Pretty cool huh?
“church“ – should be seen as having two meanings
Metaphorically of a heavenly gathering around Christ in which believers already participate – i.e. believers can enjoy fellowship with Christ and are personally related to Christ and one another.
The latter meaning makes sense in this context where the manifold wisdom of God is being made known to the spiritual rulers through the church
“Through the church” – signifies not evangelism, social action, etc., but rather “the very existence or this new multiracial community in which Jews and Gentiles have been brought together in unity in the one body is the manifestation of God’s richly diverse wisdom.”
This unity is nothing less that “the unity of the Spirit” (4:3) which believers must be zealous to maintain
“rulers and authorities” – whom “this object-lesson of divine wisdom is displayed.
Rulers and authorities – include the whole host of heavenly beings, good and bad alike.
The evil powers have already been defeated through Christ’s death and now await their final overthrow
The testimony given to the rulers is not explicitly stated, but it is inferred that the church provides the angelic powers with a tangible reminder that their authority has been decisively broken and that all things are to be subject to Christ.
These powers cannot hinder the advance of the gospel to Gentiles or their incorporation w/ the Jews into Christ’s body
The consummation of God’s plan was drawing nearer every day and the reconciliation b/w Jews and Gentiles is a token that his final purpose in Christ was about to reach its conclusion
F.F. Bruce suggests that the church appears as God’s pilot scheme for the reconciled universe of the future’ It gives promise that there will be a time when all mutually hostile elements in creation will be united in Christ. “The church is not only the pattern, but also the means God is using to show his purposes are moving triumphantly to their climax.”
The presence of the church and the body of Christ means that the authority of the rulers has been broken and the gospel will not be hindered, and all things are to be subject to Christ. What an encouragement to believers engaged in spiritual warfare and await the final day.
God’s revealing of his wisdom to the heavenly realms was his intention from all eternity.
It is now accomplished in Christ Jesus.
1:11 – men and women in Christ to be his inheritance were chosen according to God’s eternal plan, just like here where it says that what has been made known through the church to the powers can be traced back to eternity.
“eternal” – before all time.
Planned – Accomplished – Now Await Final Outcome
This verse refers to the accomplishment of God’s plan not simply the formation of the plan before all time.
Lordship mentioned in this verse suggests the fulfillment of the divine plan not just formation.
The parallel expression at 1:11 has to do w/ God’s achieving his purpose.
Now that we see the salvation plan, the meaning for believers is seen in verse 12.
As we saw in 2:18, through Christ both Jew & Gentile have access ‘in one Spirit to the Father’
Verse 12 enforces the notion that believers presently have boldness and confident access to God that cannot be hindered by the hostile powers and authorities.
The verse begins with “in him” which means that only through Christ can we boldly and confidently access God.
*The final words of the verse “through his faithfulness” focus on Christ’s obedience to His Father’s will which is what allows us to approach the throne of grace.
“As his place in the presence of God is unchallengeable, so is theirs [believers], because they are ‘in Him’”
Only in this verse are the two words boldness and access seen together. This forms one idea with the second idea of confidence simply strengthening the notion. – “the boldness to enter confidently”
“Paul has gone out of his way to make this declaration of assurance as strong as possible for his readers. They need to know that this privileged and certain access to the Father is theirs.”
“boldness” – [context] joyful confidence to enter the presence of God, based on Christ’s saving work. Fearless and unrestricted way Christians can draw near to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and by which they enter the heavenly sanctuary through the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19)
“with confidence” – assurance and certainty with which believers may enter God’s presence. We see Paul’s example of this in v.14-19.
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