Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles is to be a servant of Jesus Christ and to preach his gospel. Paul prays that the believers in Ephesus be given spiritual power.

PAUL’S MINISTRY TO THE GENTILES

VERSE 1. For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,

prisoner of Christ Jesus. Have you ever been imprisoned for your faith in Jesus Christ?

VERSE 2. if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you,

VERSE 3. how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,

VERSE 4. by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ,

VERSE 5. which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit,

VERSE 6. that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,

VERSE 7. of which I was made a servant according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

I was made a servant. Paul’s life’s work became all about living for the message of Jesus Christ.

according to the gift. Paul saw his calling as a gift. Can you see your calling as a gift?

of that grace of God. Paul did not resist this grace of God. Rather, once he recognized it. He embraced it 100%.

VERSE 8. To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

the very least of all saints. Paul was not puffed up with ego and pride. He saw himself as the very least.

this grace given. Paul sees his calling as a grace that was given to him.

to preach to the Gentiles. Of the many ministry gifts, Paul’s primary gift was the Ministry of Evangelism. He spoke of Jesus Christ with non-Christians.

the unsearchable riches of Christ. Some preachers hardly ever mention Jesus Christ. Other preachers mention him a lot, but they sound bored and use formulaic words.

Paul, on the other hand, was breathlessly captivated by Jesus Christ.

VERSE 9. and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ,

VERSE 10. to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,

VERSE 11. according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

VERSE 12. In him we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.

VERSE 13. Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.

PRAYING FOR SPIRITUAL POWER

VERSE 14. For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

I bow my knees. We imagine Paul rocking back-and-forth in the Jewish manner during prayer.

VERSE 15. from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

VERSE 16. that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person,

strengthened with power. God desires that we have strength and power. He does not wish for us to remain weak or powerless.