EPHESIANS: The Great Mystery
EPHESIANS Number 34:
Clearly there are things that were said to the Jews primarily for their use, just as some things are said to the Gentiles primarily for our use. But in the end, there is one Gospel that applies to everyone on earth equally and in the same way. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.
OK, so one of the words that causes some to stumble is the word translated “dispensation” here in Ephesians 3:2.
The Greek word is “oikonomia”, from which we get the word “economy”. Here’s what it means according to Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament.
“οικονομια <G3622>, from Xenophon, and Plato down, the management of a household or of household affairs; specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of other’s property; the office of a manager or overseer, stewardship: hence, the word is transferred by Paul in a theocratic sense to the office (duty) entrusted to him by God (the lord and master) of proclaiming to men the blessings of the gospel, 1 Corinthians 9:17; ἡ, οικονομια του Θεου, the office of administrator (stewardship) entrusted by God, Colossians 1:25. universally, administration, dispensation, which in a theocratic sense is ascribed to God himself as providing for man’s salvation.” [In other words, it’s God’s plan of salvation.]
Thayer goes on to cite, Colossians 1:25-27 (KJV)
“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Adding clarity, Thayer continues, [It is] “that dispensation (or arrangement) by which the grace of God was granted me”, Ephesians 3:2; oikonomia ton mysterion the dispensation by which he carried out his secret purpose [mystery].
We will briefly look at this word again when we discuss Ephesians 3:9.
Ephesians 3:3-5
“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit”.
The mystery of God’s plan of salvation had not previously been made known in the way it has now been revealed. How is that? By Jesus Christ coming in the flesh. By the Holy Spirit indwelling, rather than simply coming upon, the Apostles and prophets.
Verse 6 continues, “That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel”.
When he spoke here of having written earlier about the mystery, Paul may have been referring to Ephesians 1:8–10 where he wrote, “Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.”
It was not at all clear to the Jews that the heathen Gentiles would be included in God’s plan. They thought it was exclusive to them.
Paul’s long sentence continues in verse 7 saying, “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.”
I’m sure you remember the story of the conversion of the Pharisee Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. It’s in Acts chapter 9 if you want to read it again. Clearly God’s power worked effectually. Just as clearly the change in Saul was a gift of the grace of God.
