Principalities and Powers

Ephesians 3:8-10 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God

‘Who am less than the least of all saints’ – An expression of extreme humility.

‘Unsearchable’ [Greek: anexichniastos] untraceable (Rom. 11:33). It refers to the footsteps of God in the unfolding of His plan for man of the riches of His grace in all ages to come (2:7; 3:8-9).

‘Fellowship’ [Greek: koinonia] signifying a fellowship or communion (1Cor. 10:16; 2Cor. 6:14; 13:14); communicate (Phm. 1:6; Heb. 13:16); fellowship (Acts 2:42; 1Cor. 1:9; 2Cor. 8:4; Gal. 2:9; Eph. 3:9; Php. 1:5; 2:1; 3:10; 1Jn. 1:3, 6-7); contribution (Rom. 15:26); and distribution (2Cor. 9:13). Other Greek texts read oikonomia, stewardship, dispensation of the mystery of Christ (3:3-6).

‘World’ [Greek: aion] ages; the beginning of the ages.

‘Who created all things by Jesus Christ’ – God created all things by Jesus Christ (John 1:3; Col. 1:15-18).

‘To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.’ God is making Jews and Gentiles one new body to demonstrate to the principalities and powers in heavenly places the manifold wisdom of God in the eternal purpose (3:10-11; 6:12). Please note that the word church is wrongly translated and should be congregation – there was never in Biblical times different business type buildings where each leader (1Tim. 4:1; 2Tim. 4:3-4) taught his group of people what to believe contradicting the Word of God and not teaching correct Biblical doctrines such as sin (Rom. 6; 1Jn. 3) and the resurrections (rapture and judgements) as well as last-day warnings (2Tim. 3:1-5).

‘Heavenly places might be known’ [Greek: epouranios] that which pertains to heaven. Translated “heaven” (Php. 2:10); “heavenly” (Eph. 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; Matt. 18:35; John 3:12; 1Cor. 15:48-49; 2Tim. 4:18; Heb. 3:1; 6:4; 8:5; 9:23; 11:16; 12:22); “high places” (6:12); and “celestial” (1Cor. 15:40).

‘By the church the manifold wisdom of God.’ By the submission of Christians to God and Christ and by the manifold wisdom of God to Christians, both angelic and demonic powers are being taught the eternal purpose of God (3:10-11; 1:11; 2:7). In Paul’s writings alone do we find the doctrine, position, unity, walk, and destiny of the body of Christ (Rom. 12:1-21; 1Cor. 12:1-31; Eph. 2-5; Col. 1:1-29).