Ephesians Part 12
The Greek word for preach means “to announce good news,” the same root from which we get “evangelize.” Paul’s mission was to declare the limitless, boundless riches of Christ!
In this section of Ephesians, Paul continues unfolding the great “mystery” of God’s plan—His eternal purpose now being revealed through Christ and the Church. Paul speaks not only of his own calling but of the divine intent behind it: that through the Church, the manifold wisdom of God might be displayed even to the heavenly powers.
In Ephesians 3:8 Paul says, “to me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given…” He begins with a deeply humble acknowledgment of his unworthiness. Despite his extraordinary role, he refers to himself as “less than the least of all the saints.” This phrase, elachistotero, is a unique expression in Greek—a combination of the comparative and superlative forms, essentially meaning “leaster,” or “more least.” It reflects genuine humility, not false modesty. Paul knew exactly who he was before Christ called him. He never forgot that he had once persecuted the very Church he now served.
He also echoes this sentiment elsewhere:
1 Corinthians 15:9-10—“For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am…”
1 Timothy 1:15—“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”
Paul’s humility was shaped by his past, but his identity was transformed by grace. His ministry was not a self-appointment but a divine commission, “this grace was given” (Ephesians 3:8).” As The Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes, this ties back to verse 7: the same grace that saved him also empowered him for service.
It is through this grace that Paul was appointed to “preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (verse 8). The Greek word for preach (εὐαγγελίζω, euangelizō) means “to announce good news,” the same root from which we get “evangelize.” Paul’s mission was to declare the limitless, boundless riches of Christ—a wealth of spiritual blessing and divine truth that no human mind can fully comprehend. The word unsearchable (anexichniastos) conveys something that cannot be traced out or exhausted. It reflects the infinite depth of Christ’s person, work and mercy. As Paul later exclaims in Romans 11:33,
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”
Paul continues in Ephesians 3:9, “And to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery…” Paul’s task was not only to preach the gospel but also to reveal the divine plan—the “fellowship” or stewardship (oikonomia) of the mystery that had been hidden in God from the beginning of the ages. Some older manuscripts use “dispensation” rather than “fellowship,” emphasizing the idea of stewardship or administration rather than shared participation.
This “mystery,” as Paul makes clear, was something hidden in God—the Creator of all things through Jesus Christ—from the very beginning. The truth that Gentiles would be fellow heirs with Israel and partakers of the same body through the gospel was not an afterthought or a “Plan B.” It had always been in the heart of God.
Paul emphasizes Christ’s role in creation, echoing John 1:3, “All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made,” and Colossians 1:16–17, which declares that “by Him all things were created … and in Him all things consist.” The same Christ who spoke the world into being is the One through whom the mystery of God’s plan is now revealed.
This mystery is not limited to doctrine. It is the revelation of Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:26–27). From before time began, God’s purpose was to create a family through His Son, and now that purpose was being unveiled through the preaching of the gospel.
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.
