THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST

Passage: Ephesians 3:7-13

Key verse: 8

NIV

7 I became a servant of this gospel(A) by the gift of God’s grace given me(B) through the working of his power.(C) 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,(D) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles(E) the boundless riches of Christ,(F) 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,(G) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God(H) should be made known(I) to the rulers and authorities(J) in the heavenly realms,(K) 11 according to his eternal purpose(L) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God(M) with freedom and confidence.(N) 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

7 (A)Of this gospel I was made (B)a minister according to the gift of (C)God's grace, which was given me (D)by the working of his power. 8 To me, (E)though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, (F)to preach to the Gentiles the (G)unsearchable (H)riches of Christ, 9 and (I)to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery (J)hidden for ages in[a] God, (K)who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold (L)wisdom of God (M)might now be made known to (N)the rulers and authorities (O)in the heavenly places. 11 This was (P)according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have (Q)boldness and (R)access with (S)confidence through our (T)faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering (U)for you, (V)which is your glory.

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Footnotes
  1. Ephesians 3:9 Or by
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. By the gift of God's grace (7-11)

Paul regarded his mission as God's great grace in his life. He had been an enemy of God, a persecutor of the church of God, but God forgave him. Not only this, God had given him the privilege of preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles. This was God's amazing grace. The Creator God wants all creatures to worship him. The church is God's instrument to make his salvation known. He saved us so that we might be stewards of his gospel, and share it with the whole world.

2. We may freely approach God (12-13)

Because Jesus died to free all mankind from bondage to sin, all people may freely and confidently approach God in prayer through Jesus. So Paul the prisoner encourages the Gentile Christians for whom he is suffering not to be discouraged, but to come to God in prayer.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your grace given to a useless sinner. Thank you for the unsearchable riches of Christ. I now come confidently to you in prayer.

One Word: Amazing grace