Ephesians Part 11

We will pick up in Ephesians 3:6 where Paul is describing the content of the mystery that has been revealed, “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.”

Here Paul uses three unique Greek words, each beginning with the prefix syn—meaning “together with.” The Gentiles are synklēronoma (fellow heirs), syssōma (fellow members of the same body), and symmetocha (fellow partakers of the promise). These terms powerfully express the complete equality and unity of Gentile believers with Jewish believers in Christ. There is no hierarchy, no division and no secondary status—both groups share the same inheritance, belong to the same body, and partake equally in the same promise of eternal life.

The Holman Christian Standard Bible renders this verse beautifully: “The Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and partners of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

Paul expands this same truth in Romans 8:17, writing, “If children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.” The inheritance that once seemed to belong only to Israel is now opened to all who are in Christ. Likewise, in Romans 11:16–18, Paul uses the imagery of an olive tree to illustrate the Gentiles’ inclusion: 

“And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them … do not boast against the branches. Remember, you do not support the root, but the root supports you.” 

In other words, Gentiles are not replacing Israel but are being joined to the same root of faith—Christ Himself.

Paul concludes this section in Ephesians 3:7 by reflecting on his role in this divine plan: 

“of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.”

Paul viewed his apostleship not as a personal achievement but as a gift of grace—undeserved favor from God. His ministry was entirely dependent on divine empowerment. He knew from experience that human strength and intellect could not accomplish the work of God. As he wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 

Paul therefore took pleasure even in infirmities and persecutions, knowing that his weakness allowed the strength of Christ to shine through him.

The Greek word for “minister” here is diakonos, meaning “servant” or “table waiter.” According to The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, the New Testament deliberately avoids words of prestige and authority and instead embraces this humble term. In God’s Kingdom, leadership is expressed through service. Paul was not a dignitary but a servant—a man who lived to serve Christ and the Church through the power of God working in him.

It was the same power (energeia in Greek) that had transformed him from a persecutor of the Church into one of its greatest apostles. God had taken Paul’s former zeal and redirected it by grace, using him as an instrument to carry the gospel to kings, Gentiles and even to the children of Israel (Acts 9:15–16).

Paul’s life was a living testimony that God’s grace not only saves but also empowers. Everything he accomplished was by “the effective working of His power” (Ephesians 3:7). This was not theoretical—it was demonstrated in the changed lives of those who heard the gospel and received the Spirit through Paul’s ministry.

For us, the same truth holds: our strength and service must come from God’s Spirit, not from human effort or intellect. When we are weak, He is strong. When we serve humbly, God’s power works mightily in us.

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.