What does Ephesians 3:6 mean?

Explanation

Ephesians 3:6 reveals a profound mystery that was made known to the Apostle Paul.

The verse emphasizes that Gentiles (non-Jews) are equal participants with Jews in the inheritance of God’s kingdom. This inheritance refers to the blessings promised to God's people.

The phrase "fellowheirs" signifies that Gentiles and Jews are to be considered as a single family in Christ, sharing the same spiritual blessings and status before God.

The text speaks about being part of the "same body," which is a metaphor for the church, symbolizing unity among believers regardless of their ethnic backgrounds.

The idea that they are "partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" refers to the sharing in the promise of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, which was prophesied in the Old Testament and is now being fulfilled for all nations through the preaching of the gospel.

Historical Context

Ephesians is a letter written by Paul to the church in Ephesus, which was a significant cultural and economic center in the Roman province of Asia, now modern-day Turkey.

During the time Paul was writing (likely around A.D. 60-62 while he was under house arrest in Rome), the early Christian Church comprised both Jewish and Gentile converts.

There was significant tension between these groups, due to longstanding cultural and religious differences.

The Jewish-Gentile issue was a defining matter in the early church, particularly regarding the integration of Gentile believers and the question of whether they needed to adopt Jewish customs to be true followers of Christ.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Ephesians 3:6 is significant because it illustrates the concept of unity in the body of Christ.

This unity transcends ethnic, cultural, and social barriers, a revolutionary thought at the time.

Paul's revelation that Gentiles are "fellowheirs" aligns with the broader New Testament narrative that God's salvation plan through Jesus Christ is inclusive of all peoples.

The verse also affirms the mystery of God's plan, which was not fully understood until the coming of Christ and the preaching to the Gentiles. This concept of a mystery is core to Pauline theology, highlighting the depth and the progressive unfolding of God's redemptive plan in history.

Practical Applications

The implications of Ephesians 3:6 encourage believers today to foster unity and equality within the community of faith. It calls Christians to reject discrimination and embrace oneness in Jesus Christ.

This verse also serves as a reminder that the church's mission is to preach the gospel to all nations, emphasizing inclusivity in its message.

It suggests that believers should break down barriers that divide and work towards mutual respect and love among all people.

Cross-References

• Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
• Romans 8:17: "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
• Colossians 3:11: "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words to study include:

• "συγκληρονόμα" (sygklēronoma): which translates to "fellowheirs,” indicating joint inheritance.
• "σώμα" (sōma): meaning "body," referring to a collective group of believers, the Church.
• "μέτοχοι" (metochoi): meaning "partakers,” specifying those who share in something, in this case, the promise of Christ.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, inheritance was typically passed through familial lines, often exclusively to male heirs.

The idea that outsiders could be granted equal inheritance was unusual.

By comparison, in the Greco-Roman and Jewish contexts, there were distinct separations between people of different ethnic origins and religions.

Paul's message of inclusion through the gospel breaks through these cultural norms and introduces a new way of understanding community and religious identity.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science, through fields like genetics and anthropology, supports the concept that humans are more alike than different, regardless of ethnicity or cultural background.

This perspective reinforces the theological assertion of unity among all people, a principle presented in Ephesians 3:6.

commentaries

Commentaries often highlight the radical nature of the unity Paul speaks about, considering the historical and cultural barriers of his time.

John Stott, in his commentary "The Message of Ephesians," states that this verse points to the end of racial, social, and sexual barriers through Christ.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary mentions Paul's use of the mystery of Christ to denote the previously unrevealed plan that Jews and Gentiles would be join together in the church.

Matthew Henry’s commentary echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the grace given to Gentiles to be part of the spiritual blessings in Christ.