Skip to main content

Ephesians 3:1: Prisoner of Christ Jesus


Ephesians 3:1
[1] For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— (ESV)

Have you ever had someone tell you that they were praying for you?  I have.  And most of the time that is a very comforting thought to know that someone is praying for you. But, let me ask you, have you ever had someone say that they were praying for you, but you have no idea what they are praying for or why they are praying?  I think there is great value in knowing not only that you are being prayed for, but why that prayer is being offered. 

In the beginning of Chapter 3 of Ephesians Paul begins to tell the church that he is going to be praying for them, but pauses to explain why.  Take a look at verse 1.  It starts by saying, "For this reason . . ." Now if we look at verse 14 of the same chapter he repeats that phrase:

Ephesians 3:14
[14] For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, (ESV)

In verse 1 Paul begins to tell them that he is praying for them, and then goes into detail as to why in verses 2-13.  This prayer that he prays for the church at Ephesus, and for us, is beautiful.  And we will get to that prayer in time.  But, let us look today at how he describes himself, the one praying.

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus.  Paul had been a prisoner for about two years in Caesarea, and two years in Rome.  But he does not view himself as a prisoner of Rome.  He is a prisoner of Christ Jesus.  Paul is teaching us a very powerful lesson.  God is sovereign.  In his great and perfect plan for us he has us where we need to be, even if that means suffering.  As Paul was in chains he penned some of the most beautiful and important passages of Scripture that we have today.  He does not complain about his chains. But rather, he recognizes that he is held exactly where Christ Jesus wants him.

Our life is full of pain and struggle.  God sovereignly places us where we need to be.  How can you shine in the darkness?  In what ways can God use you while you are in any kind of chains?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co