Note: Devotion based on sermon on May 11, 2025 on Ephesians 3:1-13.
In Ephesians 3:4 Paul speak of “the mystery of Christ,”
and in v. 5 he notes the unprecedented revelation of the knowledge of this
mystery that was being made known to believers in their own day, “Which in
other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto
his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.”
This conveys the privileges that are given to all
believers who live in the gospel age. Peter said something similar in 1 Peter
1:12 when he noted that the gospel now revealed includes things which “the
angels desire to look into.” The humblest believer in this age knows things the
angels desired to know and that Moses and Isaiah did not yet see clearly.
And what is this mystery now revealed? See Ephesians
3:6: “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and
partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”
Notice the three descriptions:
First, the Gentiles are “fellowheirs.” In Romans 8:17
Paul calls believers “joint heirs with Christ.” But Paul’s point here is that
we Gentile believers are fellowheirs with Jewish believers like Peter and Paul.
We have received an inheritance that was not ours. We were “written into the
will” as it were, even though we are outsiders!
Second, they are “of the same body.” See Ephesians
2:16: We were reconciled unto God “in one body by the cross.”
Third, they are partakers of his promise in Christ. All
the promises given to the Old Testament saints are now given to us: That God
would be our God, and we would be his people. That he would redeem us and dwell
with us. That he would give to us the heavenly country.
We are co-heirs, co-bodied, and co-partakers. All this
is “by the gospel.” By the good news of what God has accomplished in the death,
burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jeff Riddle
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