Paul begins saying "For This reason I, Paul the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles---" NIV
He then addresses the 'mystery' that other generations did not understand. Through the 'Gospel' (the good news of Jesus), "The Gentiles are heirs together with Israel....sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus.". NIV
Understanding that we are Gentiles, the Word gives hope to us who are not the "seed of David"
Paul's humble spirit is shown in verse 8. "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" KJV
He goes on saying "... to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery... In Him and through faith in Him (Christ Jesus) we may approach God with freedom and confidence...." NIV
The first part of this chapter reminds me that God had a plan from the beginning to make a way for our salvation and a path to commune with a Holy God. He took his greatest apostle and sent him not to the children of Abraham but to the children of nobody.
Then Paul begins a prayer for the Ephesians. That they would be strengthen with might (power) by Christ's Spirit in their inner man or inner being.
"..so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith... Being rooted and established in love, may have the power (the ability to understand) how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ Jesus" NIV
" ..this love surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" NIV
He finishes his prayer with a scripture quoted often in our services and in our prayers.
"Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all than we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." KJV
Many times we are amiss in fulfilling the final part of that verse. "According to the power that worketh in us".
I've summed it up in a biblical algebraic equation. Not trying disrespect the Word, but just a different way of remembering it.
P = S(man)
EAG = P or EAG = S(man)
EAG = Exceedingly Abundant God
S(man) = Spirit of God in a Man
P = Power
For those who hate math....
No Spirit means No power, which means we can't experience the Exceedingly Abundant God in His fullness.
Bron Dutton
