Ephesians 3:1-4 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
‘This cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.’ For the cause that the Gentiles are equal with the Jews in Christ, Paul said he was a prisoner of Jesus Christ for them.
‘Dispensation’ [Greek: oikonomia] stewardship (1:10) and dispensation (1Cor. 9:17; Eph. 1:10; 3:2; Col. 1:25; 1Tim. 1:4). Five dispensations are named in Scripture: Dispensation or administration of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-9). Dispensation of the gospel (1Cor. 9:17), which is Paul’s administration of the gospel of grace. The dispensation of the grace of God (3:2); the same as pt. 2. The dispensation of God (Col. 1:25), God’s administration of grace given to Paul; the same as pt. 2. The dispensation of the fullness of times, in which God gathers together all things in heaven and the earth in Christ ridding the earth of all rebellion (1:10; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20:1-15).
‘Revelation he made known unto me’ [Greek: apokalupsis] to unveil or uncover. It implies the lifting up of a curtain so that all can see alike what is uncovered. When used of writing, it means to reveal or make clear (Eph. 3:3; Gal. 1:12); when used of a person, it denotes visible presence (Rev. 1:1; 2Thess. 1:7; 1Pet. 1:7, 13). ‘Mystery’ A mystery is a secret previously hidden but now made clear so that no mystery remains for anyone who will accept the truth as revealed (Matt. 13:19; 2Cor. 4:3-4).
Living the Word 