Ephesians 3:13 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

Navigator

Ephesians 3:13

Comments

Here, Paul is referring back to what he said in the first verse: that he is a prisoner in Rome, because he was preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. But he doesn’t want them to be concerned about him and so he says, ‘Wherefore I desire that ye faint not [you don’t lose heart] because of my tribulations for you [my punishment, my imprisonment, my difficulties].’ ‘When you set them against the blessings and the benefits, what a ministry I have been called to,’ he has been saying. Gentiles in so many places have been saved, vast numbers brought to Christ, and they have access into the presence of God through conversion, which they never had before. It is the will of God that his messengers should know these distresses, but the gains vastly outweigh any of the distresses. Paul didn’t think about himself.

Application

What about us? When we are burdened or grieved or hindered or in difficulty of any kind, what about us? What counts is the work of God and our witness and our representing the King of kings and the work of our church and prayer for the messengers: all who have opportunities, the Sunday School teachers, that souls may be saved, that people may be brought into the kingdom of God. As we faced the pandemic, it was tragic that the world had no answer to it, no gospel to proclaim; it could not speak about eternal life and a walk with God that would deliver from despair and distress and awful experiences. We are not to be selfishly bowed down over much by the way things affect us, but our minds and hearts are on the kingdom and the winning of souls and here is the example of the apostle.

Questions

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

Ephesians 3:13 Commentary and Bible Study

Explain meaning of Ephesians 3:13