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A Prisoner With Access: Thoughts on Ephesians 3:1-13 [12]

If you are new to this blog, please start with 1 (Intro) and then continue in order.

Even though Paul is suffering in prison (v13 and 1), he does not want the Ephesian Gentile believers to lose heart (v13). Rather than focus on this suffering, Paul focuses on the grace given to him to be able to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and share the "unsearchable riches of Christ". Paul felt especially grateful for this because he considered himself "the very least of all the saints" since he was a persecutor of the church. Wow! I wonder if that would be my focus if I were in prison for sharing the gospel, just being thankful that God allowed me to share it!

Once again, we have this idea of access to God. Ephesians 2:18 talks about having access to the Father in one Spirit through Christ, now for both Jews and Gentiles. In chapter 3 verse 12, we again see that it is through our faith in Christ Jesus our Lord, but also have the added idea of  having boldness with confidence in our access to God through Christ. So once again, Hebrews 4 comes  to mind:  14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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