Some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting…he has brought Greeks into the temple…” (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple area. – Acts 21:27-29 (NIV)
Paul didn’t blame for his situation because he understood that Jesus
was
God in his circumstances
(Paul) …stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
– Acts 28:30-31 (NASU)
God his circumstances
Writes: Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28 (NASU)
Paul was the steward of God’s to the Gentiles (v.2)
Administration/Stewardship: oikonomian – the management of a household, specifically, of others’ property (Thayer’s)
…AS… (vv.5-6)
…in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” – Genesis 12:3 (NASU)
I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
– Isaiah 49:6 (NASU)
Paul saw his unique calling as a (v.7)
I became a servant (diakonos) of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of
his power (v.7) (NIV)
Gift: doorean – a gift, present (Thayer’s)
Gospel: euangelion – the good news (Vine’s) (vv.6,7)
Understanding the deep truths of God’s Word does not make us :
It makes us (v.8)
Paul’s unique calling and purpose:
1st …to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ (v.8)
Unsearchable (NIV), unfathomable (NASU)
Anexichnaiaston: that cannot be traced out, that cannot be comprehended (Thayer’s)
Preach: euangelizoo – to bring good news, to announce glad tidings (Thayer’s) (v.8)
To reveal what was God’s for all ages
2nd …and to bring to light (photizo) what is the administration (oikonomia) of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; – Ephesians 3:9 (NASU)
“So That” God’s ultimate purpose (v.10):
Reveal God’s “infinite” wisdom
Manifold: polupoikilos – much-variegated; marked with a great variety of colors: of cloth or a painting, manifesting itself in a great variety of forms (Thayer’s), mani-sided (CJB), infinite (GWT)
Angels learn of the manifold wisdom of God by (v.10)
Even angels long to look into these things. – 1 Peter 1:12 (NIV)
We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men – 1 Corinthians 4:9 (NIV)
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. – Ephesians 1:7-8 (NASU)
We can go to God with because of Jesus’
…in whom we have the freedom (parrhesia) and the access in confidence through the faith of him,
– Ephesians 3:12 (YLT)
Freedom/Boldness: parrhesia – freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech (Thayer’s)