The Trinity in Ephesians 3
Our look at the Trinity, in every chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians, continues here in chapter three. In chapter one, we considered the Trinity in election, redemption, and revelation. In chapter two, we looked at the gracious works of the three Persons of the Godhead in salvation. Chapter three helps us to see the extent of God’s salvation, even to the inclusion of the Gentiles. The apostle Paul emphasized the grace given to him to preach to the Gentiles (3:2, 8).
In his work of ministering to the Gentiles, Paul wrote of the “stewardship of God’s grace.” Grace is the work of God for the salvific benefit of His people. Paul also called it “the gift of God’s grace” (3:7). The apostle understood the special privilege afforded to him, for the benefit of the Gentiles.
The subject matter for Christian preachers is the mystery of Christ (3:3, 4, 9). This was hardly known to the Jews in past generations (3:5); but God employed apostles and prophets to make Christ known to them. The surprise in the book of Acts of the Apostles is the Gentile inclusion into the Israel of God, the church (Acts 10. 15, 19). So, it is God the Father revealing His Son, and the wisdom and power to do this work belongs to God the Spirit (3:5, 7, 10, 16, 17, 20).
The preacher of the mystery of Christ, the unfathomable riches of Christ, is filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the power of God that Paul is claiming, keeps him going through innumerable troubles. Christ dwelt in Paul’s heart (3:17), even as He does in all believers, by the Spirit, who indwells them (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; Jas 4:5).
God’s eternal purpose in Christ (3:11) was to redeem and reconcile His elect, whom He predestined to adoption before the world began (1:4). The summing up of all things in Christ includes the salvation of His holy nation, the church (1 Pet 2:9). Christ’s church, as Paul argues, includes the Gentile believers, for whose sake he was suffering (2 Tim 2:10).
God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are all able to accomplish what concerns members of the church (3:20; c/f Ps 138:8). It is the power of the Holy Spirit, which Paul was emphasizing in his own ministry (3:7, 20).
Some at Ephesus were questioning Paul’s record with both the Roman and Jewish authorities. To them, this called into question, the validity of Paul and Christianity (3:13).
By explaining the history of revelation and its limited scope, the Ephesians should have marveled that grace had actually visited them. Christ was not known in earlier generations; and what was known from the prophets, types, and shadows was limited to the Jews. Even in that nation, not all believed (2 Thess 3:2). In fact, it was only a remnant in every generation (Rom 9:6). Paul himself was a miracle of mercy and grace in conversion (Acts 9).
We learn from Ephesians 3 that God is glorified in the church and in Christ in every generation and forever (3:21). God the Father is glorified in choosing a people for Himself (Rom 11:5), to become His family, drawn from the families of the earth (3:14–15; Rev 5:9; 7:9).
Gentile believers should especially consider the grace that has brought them into the commonwealth of Israel (Eph 2:12), to call Abraham their father (Rom 4:12, 16), by adoption into Christ (Rom 8:15, 23), and to be beneficiaries of an inheritance secured by God’s oath and covenant (Rom 8:17). All of this is performed by the Persons of the Trinity.
What God the Father set out to accomplish was successfully completed by Jesus Christ. What was successfully completed by Jesus Christ is now made known to the Jews and Gentiles, by the preaching of the Gospel mystery, which is Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:23; 2:2, 4). All of the rulers and authorities in heavenly places are made privy to God’s eternal purpose, as He builds His church (Mt 16:18; Eph 2:20–22).
God’s grace and power, from within the suffering servant, is sufficient to bring forth the knowledge of the love of Christ, for believers being rooted and grounded in His love (3:17, 19). Comprehending these revelations is all grace to His beloved. To know Christ is to know what God has done, in love for Christ and His bride. We, like Paul, must tell these wonderful things to our children, our families, friends and strangers. Some will believe our report and others will not. The difference is the gift of God’s grace given, so that the elect might have access to the Father through faith in Christ (3:12). Got faith? Give thanks and give Him the glory!
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
September 18, 2022
