Rachel Workman: And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.[b] 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone[c] this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
If Paul considered himself to be the least deserving where does that leave me? I lack in humility. Lord, show me how to be a better servant.
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Mike Grimm: 7I became a servant of this gospel by the gift
of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. When Paul became a servant of the gospel, God gave him the
ability to share effectively the gospel of Christ. God will give all of us
opportunities to tell others about Christ. And with the opportunities He will
provide the ability, courage, and power. Whenever an opportunity presents
itself, we must make ourselves available to God as His servant. As we focus on
the other person and his or her needs, God will communicate our caring
attitude. Our words will be natural, loving, compelling, and come from our
heart. 8Although I am less than the least of all
the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the
boundless riches of Christ, When Paul describes
himself as "less than the least of all God's people" he means that
without God's help, he would never be able to do God's work. Yet God chose him
to share the gospel with the Gentiles and gave him the power to do it. If we
feel that our role is minor, we may be right -- except that we have forgotten
what a difference God makes. How does God want to use us? Draw on His power, do
our part, and faithfully perform the special role God has called us to play in
His plan. 9and to make plain to everyone the
administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who
created all things. "The administration
of this mystery" refers to the way God's great plan is carried out through
the church and to Paul's work to demonstrate and teach God's great purpose in
Christ.
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John Burnett: 6 This mystery is[a] that the Gentiles
are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the
promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. What a great promise this is
for us, Gentiles.
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to
the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his
power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of
all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles
the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to
bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for
ages in[b] God, who created all
things,
No human being is more responsible for the spreading of the Gospel
than Paul, yet he is so humble. In verse 8, he claims to be the very
least of all the saints. God resists the proud and gives grace to the
humble which is exactly what he adds in verse 8,”this grace was given.”
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Tomorrow’s reading for Ephesian
3:10-13.
10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Because of Christ and our faith in him,[d] we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.
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