Ephesians Part 09

In chapter 3 of Ephesians Paul begins by saying, 

“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you . . .”

Paul continues with a powerful self-description: “the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles.” This statement carries deep meaning. Paul does not call himself a prisoner of Rome or Caesar, even though he is writing these words while under Roman custody. Instead, he identifies himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus—a servant wholly bound to the will and purpose of his Master. His chains were not the result of fate or politics, but of divine appointment.

Throughout his letters, Paul and the other apostles consistently refer to themselves as bondservants of Christ—willing servants who had surrendered their freedom to serve the will of God.

“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:1)

“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1)

“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1)

“Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James” (Jude 1)

Each of these men understood that true freedom is found in submission to Christ. Paul’s imprisonment, then, was not a defeat—it was a testimony. In Philippians 1:13 he wrote, 

“It has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ.” 

His suffering became an extension of his ministry, a way to proclaim the gospel even within the walls of Caesar’s own household.

Paul’s faith in God’s sovereignty was unwavering. He knew from experience that no prison could hold him unless it was God’s will. In Acts 16:26, when the Philippian jail was shaken by an earthquake and every chain was loosed, Paul understood that his freedom and confinement alike were in God’s hands. Thus, he viewed his imprisonment not as a tragedy, but as a calling—part of the divine plan to reach the Gentiles with the message of salvation.

When Jesus first called him on the road to Damascus, He said plainly, 

“Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21).

Paul’s chains, then, were a direct consequence of his obedience to that calling. His persecution, like Joseph’s imprisonment in Egypt, was meant for good, 

“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day” (Genesis 50:20).

Paul trusted this truth deeply—the same truth later expressed in Romans 8:28, 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Every trial, hardship and imprisonment became part of Paul’s living testimony—a guidebook for those who would come after, showing that Christian faith is not about escaping suffering but transforming it into service. This is the heart of Romans 12:1–13, where Paul exhorts believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, to use their spiritual gifts for the benefit of others, and to live in sincere love. His life embodied that message.

Moving to verse 2, Paul writes, “If indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you.”  The word translated “dispensation” is the Greek oikonomia, which means stewardship, management or administration. It literally describes a steward who manages the affairs of another’s household. Paul viewed himself as a spiritual steward—entrusted with God’s message of grace for the Gentiles. The gospel was not his invention or possession; it was a divine trust given for the sake of others.

We often speak of this era as “the Dispensation of Grace,” not meaning merely a period of time, but an administration—a way God is managing His work with humanity today. In this spiritual household, the covenant relationship is no longer national or ethnic, as it was with ancient Israel, but personal and direct between God and each believer.  

We are saved by grace through faith, as Paul emphasized earlier in Ephesians 2:8–9.  This grace, however, is not a license. Paul’s life demonstrates that grace leads to transformation, not complacency. He, of all people, understood how undeserved it was. Once he had breathed “threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1), persecuting Christ Himself. Yet when confronted by the risen Jesus, he was told, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 9:5). Grace stopped him in his tracks and sent him in the opposite direction.

That same grace was not given merely for Paul’s benefit but for a purpose—to carry the name of Christ to the Gentiles. 

“Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:15–16).

Later, Paul recalled the same calling before King Agrippa. 

“I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:17–18).

Paul’s stewardship of grace was therefore both costly and purposeful. He suffered not because he had failed, but because he had been chosen. His imprisonment was not a setback, but a stage upon which the grace of God could be displayed to the nations.

In every chain, every trial and every message, Paul lived the truth that grace is not a concept to admire—it is a commission to fulfill.

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.