Ephesians 3:8-13

March 26, 2006

3:8 To me–less than the least of all the saints–this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ 3:9 and to enlighten everyone about the divine secret’s plan–a secret that has been hidden for ages in the God who has created all things. 3:10 The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. 3:11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 3:12 in whom we have boldness and confident access to God because of Christ’s faithfulness. 3:13 For this reason I ask you not to lose heart because of what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Paul realizes that he is “less than the least of all the saints,” because he was not numbered among the original disciples, not that this ever slowed down his proclamation of the Gospel! His words convey his sense of wonder at his own boldness and confidence, which he ascribes to Christ’s faithfuness. I don’t doubt for a moment that he actually gloried in his being selected to suffer for Christ’s sake. It gives me no little hope that if I were ever called to suffer for my Lord, that I would find glory in it. -sdg-

Posted by Dave | Filed Under Bible