The Single Page- a weekly Bible Study on One Page

By Dennis Lawrence

Ephesians 3.1-12- 1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you
Gentiles— 2Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given
to me for you, 3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already
written briefly. 4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the
mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now
been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6This mystery is that
through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one
body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7I became a servant of this
gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8Although I
am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the
Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to make plain to everyone the
administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created
all things. 10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God
should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to
his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12In him and through
faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

In an interruption to his thoughts and writing (compare verses 1 and 14 and see the
halting of thought while he fills in some essentials), Paul reminds readers of three
essential realities about God’s grace which are important to Epiphany- the revealing of
Jesus.

1. Verses 1- 5- What does Paul affirm about “the mystery” in the past?
2. Verse 6- What is the solution to “the mystery”? Do Gentiles share fully, or only
partially, in the promise of Jesus Christ? Is this different from Old Covenant
practice? Who, now, can become a Christian? Are there any limitations? What
does this tell you, therefore, about how you are to receive other Christians?
3. Verses 7- 9- How did this mystery change Paul’s life?
4. Verse 10- 11- What is God’s intention for this mystery’s becoming known?
Through whom? To whom? Does it amaze you that you are part of this unfolding
of God’s mystery to heavenly powers? Are Satan and his minions included in
this? What do they learn from you about this incredible Godly mystery?
5. Verse 12- What is the third essential reality about God’s grace? How does this
reality impact you?
6. Three essential realities about God’s grace are central to this passage: all
humanity can now be saved, God intends the church to be the displayer of this
reality to earthly and heavenly powers, and you can freely approach God for all
the help you need to process and display these realities. How do these three
realities affect you, personally? How do they increase your sense of awe before
God? How do they impact your actions toward others- Christians and those who
will, one day, be Christians?

© Dennis Lawrence, 2010