1. 1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— [Parenthesis, 2-13] 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 3

2. Why is Paul persecuted (3:1)? Because of zeal for Gentiles –His bonds profit Gentiles World’s view: Nero’s prisoner. Ac.25:11-12 Truth: Lord’s prisoner. Ep.4:1 Ac.21:21-30 Why this charge? Topics of Ep.2 Ac.22:21-22 The shot heard around world

3. No longer a mystery (4) Understand Paul’s insight. Col.1:9 God (revealed) Paul (wrote) Gentiles (read)

4. Comparisons (3:5) Other ages (Mt.13:11,15) When?Now Not made known What?Revealed Sons of menWho? Apostles & prophets

5. Summary: spells out the mystery (6) “Fellow-”compounds Alive together, 2:5 Fellow-heirs, 3:6 (Ga.3:29) Raised together, 2:6 Fellow-members, 3:6 (Ep.2:16) Sit together, 2:6 Fellow-partakers, 3:6 (Gn.12:3)

6. “But if OT taught this, why say it is revealed now?” (3:5) 1.OT did not reveal God’s radical plan to:  end Jewish theocracy  replace it w. His church, all united in Christ 2.Ac.2:39, the truth, but... Jews thought of proselytes Ac.10-11, radical

7. Gentiles on equal footing in sin and salvation (3:6-8) Christ Fellow-heirs Fellow-body Fellow-partakersChurch JewsGentiles Acts 2:39; Eph. 2:6

8. The great contrast (8) The man: Paul – less than the least Adjectives 1. Positive: Good 2. Comparative: Better Best 3. Superlative: Best Little LessLeast Paul magnifies Christ and his own work, but lowers himself

9. The Mystery (Col.1:26) Christ (incarnate God) Col.2:2-3; 1 T.3:16 Israelite unbelief Ro.11:25 Lawlessness 2 Th.2:7 Jew & Gentile united Ep.3:3-6 Christ in us (Gentiles) Col.1:27