Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. (Ephesians 3:7-13)
Paul was made a minister of the gospel by God; not by man. In his letter to the Galatians he referred to himself as “Paul, an apostle – not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father” (Galatians 1:1). Then he wrote, “I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12). To the Colossians he wrote, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” (Colossians 1:1). So here he writes that he was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace. By the grace of God, he was called to preach to the Gentiles, and by the grace of God he was given power to call me.
The riches of Christ which are given to His people are so wide and so deep that no one can truly and completely know them. “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:19). It is through the riches of Christ that God supplies all our needs (Philippians 4:19). We will always be amazed by the richness of His mercy and grace. (Romans 11:33-36)
God, since before the foundation of the world, chose a people for Himself (Ephesians 1:4). His eternal purpose and plan is to bring this people to Himself and to restore them to that relationship into which man was originally created. This plan was formed in Christ Jesus, for it could only proceed as a perfect substitute was sacrificed to atone for the sins of this chosen people.
Through the death of Christ and the Father’s acceptance of that sacrifice, we now have access to the very presence of God. The veil has been removed, and we can approach God as His redeemed children. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
When Paul left Ephesus, the elders wept, because they would not see him again (Acts 20:36-38). Now, he was in prison for preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, and they could easily become discouraged. However, as he wrote to the Philippians, even this was within the plan of God, and it benefited the church, as the gospel was preached (Philippians 1:12-18).
