Outline and Comments on Chapter Three

  I. Paul was a prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles. 
     3:1
     A. The dispensation of the grace of God given to Paul 
        toward the Gentiles was that he was to preach the 
        gospel to them.  3:2; 3:7-8  Cf. also Acts 9:15; 
        26:17-18; Galatians 2:7-8
        1. Paul received his knowledge of the mystery of 
           God’s will by revelation. 3:3 Cf. Galatians 
           1:11-12
        2. Paul wrote what God revealed unto him. 3:3
        3. The Ephesian Christians (all others also) by 
           reading what Paul wrote could understand Paul’s 
           knowledge of the Mystery of Christ. 3:4
        4. The gospel was now revealed unto the apostles 
           and prophets that by it the Gentiles should be 
           fellow heirs, of the same body and partakers of 
           his promise in Christ. 3:5-6
           a. This was accomplished by the revelation of 
              the mystery of God’s will, not by the law of 
              Moses or the heathen mysteries.
     B. The purpose of Paul’s preaching the unsearchable 
        riches of Christ unto the Gentiles. 3:8-11
        1. To make all men see what is the fellowship 
           (communion, participation jointly, intimacy) of 
           the mystery or gospel. 3:9
        2. That the manifold wisdom of God might be made 
           known to the principalities and powers in 
           heavenly places by the church. 3:10
        3. This was according to God’s eternal plan and 
           purpose. 3:11

 II. It is in Christ that Christians have boldness and 
     access with confidence. 3:12
     A. This boldness and access is said to be by faith of 
        him or Christ. 3:12
        1. Christ was faithful, as a son over his house, to 
           accomplish the purpose of God. Hebrews 3:1-6  
           Cf. verse 2 particularly.
        2. By his faithful carrying out of God’s will 
           salvation has been made possible.
        3. Access to God is said to be:
           a. by grace through faith. Romans 5:1-2
           b. by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:18
           c. by the gospel. Ephesians 3:5-6
     B. Since access to God is in Christ, Paul desires that 
        they faint not (that they not become unfaithful) as 
        a result of his tribulations or his being 
        persecuted. 3:13
        1. To this end Paul bowed his knees (prayed) unto 
           God. 3:14
        2. Paul prayed that:
           a. They might be strengthened with might by his 
              Spirit in the inner man. 3:16
           b. That Christ may dwell in their hearts by 
              faith. 3:17
           c. That they, being rooted and grounded in love, 
              may be able to comprehend with all saints 
              what is the breadth, and length, and depth 
              and height of God’s mercy and blessings unto 
              them through the gospel of Christ. 3:17-18
           d. That they may know the love of Christ. 3:19
           e. That they may be filled with all the fullness 
              of God. 3:19 Cf. Colossians 2:9-10

III. God is able, by the power of the gospel of Christ 
     working in us, to do exceedingly above all that we ask 
     or think. 3:20
     A. Therefore, let him receive glory in the church by 
        Christ Jesus. 3:21
        1. Christians are to conduct themselves in such a 
           way as to give God glory. Cf. Matthew 5:13-16; 
           John 15:8
        2. This is to be done as long as time continues 
           upon the earth. 3:21
        3. There would be no glory to God if they allowed 
           themselves to be enticed back to the law of 
           Moses or to the heathen mysteries.