Ephesians 3:8-9
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
less than the least (v.8) = lit. “more least”
unsearchable (v.8) = that which cannot be traced out — untraceable (in Scripture)
We challenge you to find these Pauline teachings in the Prophetic writings (Genesis through Acts 9 and James through Revelation): Israel set aside in unbelief; the Church, the Body of Christ made up of Jews and Gentiles without distinction; commission of reconciliation; salvation by grace through faith alone; terms of salvation — Christ’s death, burial and resurrection presented as good news; our spiritual baptism into Christ by the Holy Spirit; blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies; seated with Christ in the heavenlies; a heavenly hope and calling; the pretribulational rapture; etc. — Sadler, page 141.
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Observe, it was not simply hidden in the Bible, as though the Old Testament contained this message and we only needed to ferret it out. But it was hidden in God, and could not have been apprehended by man at all excepting by divine revelation. — Ironside, page 151.
riches of Christ (v.8) = wealth in Christ, wealth Christ has
make … see (v.9) = bring to light
all (v.9) — not in some texts
fellowship (v.9) = administration, stewardship, dispensation
beginning of the ages (v.9) — This mystery was formed before the ages of time began and kept secret since they started — until they were given to Paul.
through Jesus Christ (v.9) — not in the best manuscripts
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