EPHESIANS 3:8-11 MANIFOLD WISDOM

 

EPHESIANS 3:8-11 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things [through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

NSB* Paul calls himself the least in humility because he had previously persecuted Christ's church. 

Cross References: 1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 2:2-3 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Unsearchable Riches; The Greek word here is ἀνεξιχνίαστος anexichniastos. Strong's G421, Vines (def. 2). with the same prefixes as in No. 1, and an adjectival form akin to ichneuo, "to trace out" (ichnos, "a footprint, a track"), is translated "unsearchable". Used in this instance of the riches of Christ.

My Notes - Interesting note on this word. While LSJ Gloss and Strong's pretty much leave the definition at "untraceable". Dodson decides to go with uncomprehensible. So this would indicate that before the will of God had been revealed, the riches of Christ were unknown and therefore beforehand unsearchable. I don't know that "uncomprehensible" is the correct definition here because that would seem to indicate that even if the mystery had been revealed, we couldn't comprehend it. Having said that the idea is similar enough from my perspective. In any regard, Paul is about to expand on all this. 

Moving to Verse 9.

Fellowship Of The Mystery; Fellowship is actually Dispensation in this text is οἰκονομία oikonomia. Strong's G3622 Vine's (def. 1c) it is used of the arrangement or administration by God, by which in "the fullness of the times" (or seasons) God will sum up all things in the heavens and on earth in Christ. 

Regarding translation Fellowship. Dispensation or Stewardship can be used here. 

For Mystery, the definition is here under Verse 3. Here it is used the ways of God in grace. Vines (def. I) under μυστήριον musterion. Strong's G3466. 

Beginning Of The Ages; means "a beginning." The root arch primarily indicated what was of worth. Hence the verb archo meant "to be first," and archon denoted "a ruler." So also arose the idea of "a beginning," the origin, the active cause, whether a person or thing, e.g.,. The Greek word here is ἀρχή arche. Vine's (def B-1 noun), Strong's G746.

Hidden In God; The Greek word for hidden is ἀποκρύπτω apokrupto meaning "to conceal from, to keep secret" (apo, "from," and No. 1), is used metaphorically, of the mystery of the unsearchable riches of Christ, revealed through the Gospel; Vine's (def A-2 verb), Strong's G613. 

Created; Vine's (def. a) in the natural creation, Mark 13:19; Romans 1:25 (where the title "The Creator" translates the article with the aorist participle of the verb); The Greek word for Create is κτίζω ktizo. Strong's G2936.

Cross References: Hebrews 1:2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

Moving to Verse 10.

NSB - God's manifold wisdom is to be played to the angelic beings by the members of the church. God's ways are not only mysterious but also varied. Angels are learning about God's wisdom as they watch his grace working in us. 1 Corinthians 11:10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

To The Intent; "a word, account, etc.," sometimes denotes "a reason, cause, intent," e.g.,. The Greek word is λόγος logos in this instance "to the intent that." Strong's G3056. Vine's (def. 2-4) 

Manifold Wisdom; This is a varied kind of wisdom, manifold basically meaning "much varied". The Greek word is πολυποίκιλος polupoikilos Strong's G4182. Vine's (def. prime).  

Wisdom is the Greek word sophia σοφία, the wisdom here is explicitly God's wisdom. Vine's (def 1a) Strong's G4678. 

Might; Has the idea of might (and it will) be made known. Something that will become as opposed to "maybe / maybe not". 

Known; Has the idea of "we make known (to you)," RV, AV, "we do (you) to wit;". The Greek word is γνωρίζω gnorizo. Vine's (def 3), Strong's G1107. Strong's denotes to make known; subjectively. 

Church; Primarily those in Christ. See saints. 

Principalities And Powers In The Heavenly Places; Here under "All Things In Christ". 

Powers here is actually a direct reference to angelic beings. "right of disposal" is what is indicated; used of men, authority is delegated. Angelic beings are called "powers". The Greek word is ἐξουσία exousia. Vine's (def. A-2 noun), Strong's G1849. 

Heavenly Places refers to those whose sphere of activity or existence is above or in contrast to that of Earth. The Greek word is ἐπουράνιος epouranios. Vine's (def. A-2d Adjective). Strong's denotes "above the sky". 

Cross References: 1 Peter 1:12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Colossians 2:10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Moving to Verse 11. 

Eternal Purpose; Or purpose for the ages. Paul goes on to write that the purpose of God is accomplished in Jesus Christ. The Greek word here is "age" but is translated as "eternal" here. αἰών aion. Strong's G165, Vine's (def 1) under "eternal". 

Takeaways - 

1. The riches of Christ were unsearchable, but the mystery has now been revealed. 

2. All things were created through Jesus Christ. This means He was there in the beginning and is God. John 8:56-59 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. 

The reason the religious leaders were so upset by this statement is because it is clear Jesus was referencing the title His Father gives Himself in Exodus 3:14. So Jesus is claiming He is God. 

3. What is most important here is not the concealing or the secret, it is the origin from which it was revealed, by God, through Jesus Christ. With wisdom and sight, our God has set forth a plan for all things, known and unknown, seen and unseen. 

*Nelson Study Bible.