Wednesday Night Digging Deeper
Eph 3:8-13 NASB - "8 To me, the very least of all
saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches
of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery
which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the
manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers
and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the
eternal purpose, which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we
have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you
not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your
glory."
Eph 3:8-13 NASB - "8 To me, the very least of all
saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches
of Messiah,
ἐμοὶ τῷ ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ[NW1]
πάντων ἁγίων ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις αὕτη, τοῖς ἔθνεσιν εὐαγγελίσασθαι[NW2]
τὸ ἀνεξιχνίαστον[NW3]
πλοῦτος τοῦ Χριστοῦ,
1. How could Paul see
himself as the least of the saints when he was an apostle?
2. Do you think it
would be good to perceive yourself as the least of all the saints? Why or why not?
3. What was the grace
or undeserved honor and favor of God that Paul received?
4. Did Paul look upon
sharing the gospel as a hard and difficult command or as a honorable
privilege? How could this perception
change your attitude towards sharing the gospel?
5. Name one of the “riches”
of Messiah Jesus.
9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the
mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;
καὶ φωτίσαι[NW4]
[πάντας] τίς ἡ οἰκονομία τοῦ μυστηρίου[NW5]
τοῦ ἀποκεκρυμμένου[NW6]
ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων ἐν τῷ θεῷ τῷ τὰ πάντα κτίσαντι[NW7] ,
1. How can something
that has been hidden in God be brought to light? In what person was the mystery (truth
revealed) of God hidden in God brought to the light?
2. How does sharing
the gospel bring God’s light to a person who does not know the gospel? What new things do they understand?
10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made
known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly
places.
ἵνα γνωρισθῇ νῦν ταῖς ἀρχαῖς καὶ ταῖς ἐξουσίαις ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις[NW8]
διὰ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἡ πολυποίκιλος[NW9]
σοφία τοῦ θεοῦ,
1. How does the
church (gospel community) make known the wisdom of God?
2. What are some of
the various ways that the church (community
of the gospel) shows God’s plan of redemption?
11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He
carried out in Messiah Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through
faith in Him.
ἐν ᾧ ἔχομεν[NW11] τὴν παρρησίαν[NW12] καὶ προσαγωγὴν[NW13] ἐν πεποιθήσει[NW14] διὰ τῆς πίστεως αὐτοῦ.
1. We have been made
family to God in Messiah Jesus. We can
“have and hold” God now. How could we
take advantage of that relationship so that we would benefit from it the most?
2. Do you feel
emotionally that you have free and open access to God in Messiah Jesus? Are you bold and confident in your approach
and relationship with God? Why or why not?
What hinders such a relationship in many people do you think? How could this be overcome?
13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations
on your behalf, for they are your glory."
1. When a Christian
leader suffers trouble and hardship how can this cause us to be discouraged or
weary in our own Christian walk? How
could this be overcome?
2. How are the
Ephesians honored and spoken well of by the fact that Paul is willing to suffer
on behalf of the church (including the church at Ephesus)?
Summary:
What is the most important idea that you gained from this
passage and how can you use it in your life?
[NW1]Less than the least. The smallest of small. – Word used to show the greatest self abasement. Paul may have been making an illusion to his
name which means small or modest
[NW10]Purpose, plan, strategy, purpose that runs
through the ages or purpose about the ages.
The design concerning the ages.
[NW12]Speaking freely, confidence, boldness, - We
are “at ease” before God and commanded to speak our minds.
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