Ephesians 81-82_18 Ephesians 3_7-13
Ephesians 1981-82 Corps Teachings. Lesson 15: Ephesians 3:7-13.
Format: AUDIO
Publication Date: 1981-82
Victor Paul Wierwille was a Bible scholar and teacher for over four decades.
By means of Dr. Wierwille's dynamic teaching of the accuracy and integrity of God's Word, foundational class and advanced class graduates of Power for Abundant Living have learned that the one great requirement for every student of the Bible is to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Thus, his presentation of the Word of God was designed for students who desire the in-depth-accuracy of God’s Word.
In his many years of research, Dr. Wierwille studied with such men as Karl Barth, E. Stanley Jones, Glenn Clark, Bishop K.C. Pillai, and George M. Lamsa. His formal training included Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology degrees from Mission House (Lakeland) College and Seminary. He studied at the University of Chicago and at Princeton Theological Seminary from which he received a Master of Theology degree in Practical Theology. Later he completed his work for the Doctor of Theology degree.
Dr. Wierwille taught the first class on Power for Abundant Living in 1953.
Books by Dr. Wierwille include: Are the Dead Alive Now? published in 1971; Receiving the Holy Spirit Today published in 1972; five volumes of Studies in Abundant Living— The Bible Tells Me So (1971), The New, Dynamic Church (1971), The Word's Way (1971), God's Magnified Word (1977), Order My Steps in Thy Word (1985); Jesus Christ Is Not God (1975); Jesus Christ Our Passover (1980); and Jesus Christ Our Promised Seed (1982).
Dr. Wierwille researched God's Word, taught, wrote, and traveled worldwide, holding forth the accuracy of God's "wonderful, matchless" Word.
EPHESIANS 3:7-13
February 17, 1982
Ephesians 3:7 reads, in the King James.
Ephesians 3:7
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God
given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
We are right here in Ephesians in the section where you know you do the take-off after
the habitation of God at the end of chapter 2, and then “for this cause” of verse 1 and then
the parenthesis in here. It isn’t really a parenthesis. It’s something else. I forgot the word.
Stands by its what? {self }. Parembole, stands by itself, that’s right, which gives a further
detailed explanation standing on its own feet. And here in verse 7 it’s talking about Paul
being made a minister according to the gift of the grace of God which was given unto
me…given unto him by the effectual working of God’s mighty power.
The word “minister” here is the word diakonos, d-i-a-k-o-n-o-s, meaning a servant, a
servant. This word is used of deacons who waited on tables. In the Book of Acts it’s used
of attendants. It is service that’s rendered to another, a beloved, a faithful, a committed
servant.
In the East, in the Biblelands, in the East, the servant, like at dinner time, the servant
would always stand at the back, and the servant doesn’t go to sleep. He keeps his eyes
constantly on the master, just looks at him, like I’m looking at you, honey. And if the
master wants something, he goes like that; goes like that. He doesn’t yell her name and say
honey would you please come up here. Never. He simply moves his head or goes like this
or if he needs something else he’ll go like that mostly with the head. This true servant
never takes his eyes off of the master. If you and I are going to be true servants of God and
the Lord Jesus Christ, we never take our eyes off of what? The master [taps on desk]. So
baby, most of you in the Corps still need to learn that lesson. Keep your eyes on the
master.
Now [chuckles], not only did he keep his eyes on him, but he stood at the appointed
place where the master wanted him. That reminds me of the Body of the Church where
every member is a peculiar member, a unique member, at the very place God wants him.
This servant here that we’re talking about, minister, this minister, servant, of verse 7, is
that kind of person, that kind of individual.
Another thing about the servant that I think is fantastic, he always had his shoes on his
feet so he was ready to run upon the spur of the moment. He was already ready to move
out with the…whatever the master desired. I don’t know, once upon a time, I forget a lot of
this stuff, but I recall, not all the details but I can call…recall the principal. It was at
Headquarters I believe that we had people lined up that if there were any problem areas
with the W.O.W.’s or anything like that, that they could within ten minutes, either five or
ten minutes after I called them, they would be on the road moving. Why not? Keep your
bags packed ready to roll, shoes on his feet. That’s a servant. If you’re really going to
serve, you’ve got to always be ready to move.
During the years that Dotsie and I were in the church in Van Wert, I still do it most of
the time; I always have laid out at night what I’m going to wear the next morning, and it’s
always convenient. And during our years in the church and stuff, in Van Wert, I always
had it laid out because if at any time somebody called at night and I had to make an
emergency call to the hospital, I could be in my clothes and moving in two minutes time. I
don’t know how long it takes some of you to get dressed, but I can get dressed like I am
right now in two minutes time. So I don’t know how long it takes you women when I see
some of you women it takes a half hour. I’m thankful to God you never have to meet an
emergency, you’d never make it or you men either. That’s a servant. You see, you’ve got
to come back to the Word. You and I have to be these wonderful m—we’ve got to be
prepared. So quit copping out. Quit messing. Always be ready to go, baby. That’s the
greatness of it.
Well, I taught you that “gift of the grace of God,” a Dual Genitive. I think I already
gave you all those last week. See? So—
“…given unto me” [chuckles]—You see here in Stephen’s text and…it reads that way
but the critical Greek texts, many of the other critical Greek texts and many manuscripts
have the genitive case modifying “grace” instead of “gift.” Like it is here in… “according
to the gift of the grace of God given unto me...”; gift of the grace of God was given unto
me. The “was given” is in the accusative case, kids, and modifies “gift.” Most of the other
critical Greek texts and many manuscripts have it in the genitive case and it modifies
“grace.” That’s why the question in this verse is: what is the truth? Was it the gift or the
grace that was given to Paul? That’s the question in this verse.
Now I want to give you, first of all, the literal translation according to usage of this
verse 7. Literal.
Ephesians 3:7 Literal translation according to usage
Of which [parenthesis] (mystery) I became a minister according to the gift
of the grace of God which was given to me by His [parenthesis] (God’s)
[end of parenthesis] energizing the potential power.
Now here’s the expanded one. “Of which mystery I became God’s ministering
servant”—boy that’s beautiful.
Ephesians 3:7a Expanded translation
Of which mystery I became God’s ministering servant running God’s
errands as a slave,…
Boy, when you really see that someday, you’re heart will bubble. It’s great. “Running
God’s errands.” Running whose errands? {God’s.} Not what I want to do but what’s my
master want me to do. Keep my eyes on the master. I’m a minister for him. You’re going
Lightbearers. Who are you going for? {God.} So you keep your eyes upon Him and you’re
running God’s errands as a what? slave. Sold out slave, marked for the master, ears bored
[chuckles] with holes in them, bought with a price, paid for, labeled, baby.
Listen to the rest of this: According to the gift. According, that sets the standard
always. People, the word “according” always sets the standard. I taught you that in some
class.
Ephesians 3:7b Expanded translation
…according to the gift I received by grace from God that was given to me
by the energizing of God’s power.
Now you’ll notice on the last phrase that I used the word “that.” Your mind should
have said “that what”? See. “According to the gift I received by grace from God, [comma]
that…” That, that what? Was given unto me… “was given to me by the energizing of
God’s power.” Is it that gift or is it that grace? I didn’t put the word in here. I know it’s
grace. I don’t know why I didn’t put it in. I think I told somebody sitting with me because I
didn’t like the fight any more. But I…I believe with all my heart it’s grace. And I think as
we go deeper into this you’ll see why it has to be as we go further along. And I just gave it
to you from the texts. This is absolutely true what I told you that in the accusative case it
would modify “gift.” But most other critical Greek texts and many manuscripts have it in
the genitive case. Then it has to modify “grace.” So you can go either way or other. One
way or the other. But let me put a second check on it. How about the context? Remember
once upon a time you sat in the Foundational Class the immediate word fits where? In the
verse. The verse fits where? {In the context.} Why do you forget so quickly? I believe the
context will warrant the word “grace.” So don’t go home. If you’re already at home, stay
awake.
Verse 8 in King James reads.
Ephesians 3:8a
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given,…
Is this what? {grace}. See immediately you pick up on what word? {Grace.}
Ephesians 3:8b
…that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
How can you be less than the least? [Laughter.] You know, if you haven’t got any
clothes on, how can you take some off ? It says that in the Bible, you who are naked take
your clothes off. It says that. How can you take clothes off if you don’t have any on? If you
are less already than the least, how can you be less? It’s a tremendous figure of speech. It’s
just beautiful [chuckles]. The figure of speech is called…spelled m-e-i-o-s-i-s, Meiosis,
and that is where you lessen one thing in order by contrast to really blow something else up
big, magnify something. Here Paul is lessened in order to magnify grace. [Slams fist
down.] Boy, that’s terrific kids [taps on desk several times]. Paul is lessened so that the
grace of God is magnified whereby he then is able to be a minister keeping his eyes upon
the master because of God’s grace.
“…less than the least” is the second figure. How do you like that one, when God
doubles it on you. That means He’s really pouring it on. And the…the Greek word is
spelled o-x-y- (and I like the last part of the word) m-o-r-o-n. The word “moron” is the
word “foolish” you know. This, this figure of speech, Oxymoron, is a wise saying that
sounds foolish; a wise saying that sounds foolish, you know. Less than the least. If you’re
naked, take your clothes off. Sounds foolish. [Chuckles.] How God marked this Bible, I
just stand in utter amazement and thanksgiving of—it’s just unbelievable beautiful. The
great impact here is that this revelation to the Apostle Paul came entirely by grace because
Paul had no credentials in any way, shape or form to earn it.
The word “unsearchable”—It means it cannot be tracked. But even though something
cannot be tracked, it can still be enjoyed. On the original day of Pentecost when they were
born again, they could not explain it for the revelation had not yet been what? given, but
could they enjoy it? Sure did. Likewise, even though this grace, this grace is unsearchable,
unsearchable, untrackable, you just cannot track it.
You know, if it snows and a rabbit runs around you can track the old rabbit. His Little
footsies are here, there and yonder. You can track him right in the snow. But the grace of
God is so fantastic that it cannot be tracked. You see it in evidence. You can enjoy it, you
can be blessed with it, honey, but it cannot be what? tracked. That’s right. That’s
unsearchable, you see. In Romans 11:33 it’s translated “untrackable.” You see, in the
Word of God you can track. We can go from Genesis to Revelation, track truths in God’s
Word. But the ways of God, He made known His ways unto whom? {Moses}. That’s the
only reason Moses knew it. The children of Israel did not know it. Made known His ways
unto Moses but His acts, his acts, only his dumb acts, they only saw the results of it.
Understand? Here in this tremendous verse in Ephesians, you see, the Word you can track.
We can take a word study, track it through. But the ways of God, the grace of God or the
riches of God in Christ cannot be tracked. You can enjoy it but you can’t track them.
This word “riches”—That one word fits into three different figures of speech in this
verse. Does every place here in Ephesians. It’s a Heterosis. It is an Idiom. And it’s an
Anthropopatheia. Those three.
Now here’s the literal translation of verse 8.
Ephesians 3:8 Literal translation according to usage
To me who is less than the least of all saints was this grace given that I
should evangelistically declare among the Gentiles the untrackable riches of
Christ.
Now the expanded translation of verse 8.
Ephesians 3:8a Expanded translation
Yes to me the most unworthy of the worthless of all the saints was given
grace so that I should and could…
Maybe I will invert those words; I think I will. I think it will be better in understanding.
Ephesians 3:8b Expanded translation
…so that I could and should…
Think that would be better Corps.
Ephesians 3:8c Expanded translation
…announce and declare evangelistically among the Gentiles the riches of
Christ that which is not trackable.
Verse 9 in King James reads:
Ephesians 3:9
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from
the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who [made] all things by
Jesus Christ:
The word “fellowship” is the word oikonomia, administration.
Which was “hid” means it was concealed. It was closed in. It’s like having a cover over
the top of this cup that nobody can open, just closed in.
The words “from the beginning” are from the ages.
Now for our wonderful Trinitarians, the words “by Jesus Christ” are their deliberate
forgeries in the texts, because they are not in the Aramaic text except a couple of them that
they put them in. So scratch “by Jesus Christ.” It’s a deliberate forgery by the Trinitarian
gang.
Verse 9 literally translated is as follows:
Ephesians 3:9 Literal translation according to usage
And to enlighten all regarding the administration of the mystery which was
completely hidden from all ages [e-s] in God who created all.
Now the expanded translation.
Ephesians 3:9 Expanded translation
And I will clearly enlighten all the saints regarding the administration of the
mystery which has been hidden protectively away from all the ages by and
in God only who created all things.
People, you see, the Word of God says that the revelation of the mystery was first
given to the Apostle Paul. Jesus Christ lived before the Apostle Paul. And if Jesus Christ
knew the revelation, then the Word of God is a lie. But the Word says that it was hidden in
whom? {God} until He made it known to the Apostle Paul. That’s why Jesus Christ did not
know the what? {the Mystery}. That’s why he can’t be God, because God is all smart. He
knows it all. Sorry you Trinitarian gang [inaudible], see. Why they just don’t come to
believe God’s Word, I don’t know. For the same reason unbelievers desire to do to hell, I
guess. Trinitarians want three gods, so they lose all their rewards. That’s their privilege. I
know what the Word teaches and I know what it says. That’s it. Beautiful.
Now verse 10, King James.
Ephesians 3:10
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places
might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
(Strong or just simple water? Shucks. I love it when the Corps kicks the bottle. I’m
always interested in what’s in it {audience laughter}.)
“…now”—The word now is omitted.
The “principalities” and “powers” include both good and evil people. It says so in
1 Peter 1:12.
“…in heavenly places”—in the heavenlies.
“…the manifold wisdom”—That’s…is really an extraordinary wisdom. The wisdom of
God is chromatic with a rainbow of colors. God is light. You see, His wisdom is
variegated, multi-colored, spectacularly radiant. I love what Alford said about it. He says
“. . .the church is a mirror of God’s wisdom,” listen to that, “it’s a mirror of God’s wisdom
chromatic so they separate with the rainbow colors of that light which in itself is one and
undivided.” That is a beautiful, beautiful statement. Love that.
Verse 10 literal translation is as follows:
Ephesians 3:10 Literal translation according to usage
To the end that the church will know so will the principalities and authorities
in the heavenlies the infinite radiantly diversified wisdom of God.
The expanded translation of verse 10.
Ephesians 3:10 Expanded translation
To the end that the church of the one body will know as well as all principalities
and powers in the heavenlies the spectacularly radiant and infinitely
diversified wisdom of God.
Verse 11 in King James reads:
Ephesians 3:11
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
That’s King James.
The eternal purpose—well the again, the “According to” Corps—“According to”
always sets the standard. Remember? Don’t ever forget that one. Whenever it talks about
“according to,” it’s always the standard. The standard was the purpose of the ages, the
administration, the eternal purpose. It’s…The words “eternal purpose” in the Aramaic are
translated “which was prepared from the ages.”
“…which [God] purposed”—Which God carried out. It’s a relationship clause. God
carried it out, His purpose in Christ Jesus our lord. You see, in God’s foreknowledge,
Corps, all the ages were structured around Jesus Christ who was God’s plan for man’s
redemption. And this is why the Christ administration stands fourth in the seven
administrations. It stands right in the middle of the seven administrations. Everything
revolves around Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten son. And every time I think about these
things, I’m always thankful that somebody once tried to set the calendar around the Lord
Jesus Christ, A.D. and B….A.D and B.C. Before Christ and after Christ. He missed it. He
wasn’t smart enough to calculate it rightly, but he had the right person he talked about,
Jesus Christ, that everything centers around him, everything floats around, everything is
structured around the Lord Jesus Christ.
The literal translation of verse 11 is:
Ephesians 3:11a Literal translation according to usage
According to the eternal purpose of the ages which he carried out effectively…
And right now my mind flips again, would it be better, more accurately, more
accurately stated to use the word “effectually” or “effectively”? I don’t know and I don’t
want an answer now, but I’m thinking. The usage of the word “effectually” or
“effectively.” I’ll keep it in mind. “It may be better, “which he carried out effectually,”
than effectively. Maybe I should have put both in there: Which he carried out effectively
and effectually. Then I know I’d be right {audience laughter}. For the time being put that
in. Boy oh boy. Did I say:
Ephesians 3:11b Literal translation according to usage
…by Jesus Christ our lord.
Well that’s it. Now here’s the expanded one: “According to the working out of God’s
absolutely desired plan…”
Ephesians 3:11 Expanded translation
According to the working out of God’s absolutely desired plan the purpose
of the ages and administrations and God carried it out effectively and
effectually by Jesus Christ our lord.
You’ll notice King James has “purposed in Christ Jesus our lord.” And I changed it
around to Jesus Christ. Very simple to me, context. This absolutely desired plan of God,
God carried it out effectively and effectually not by Christ Jesus, but it was carried out here
upon earth by Jesus Christ. That’s why the word “Jesus” precedes “Christ,” And there are
texts that back this up. There…one…some of them say Christ Jesus and some say Jesus
Christ. So we select the one that we feel absolutely agrees with the principles of the
integrity and accuracy of the Word.
Verse 12 in King James reads:
Ephesians 3:12
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
I think the “access” thing, or another word like it, I’ve taught you previously that it is
Jesus Christ who introduces us to the Father. Christ is our access to the Father. No man
cometh unto the Father but by what? {me}. Except a man be born again, he can’t see. “I
am the way.” Christ is our access to God. It is he who introduces us to Him.
The words “with confidence” are confident obedience, or certainty, or assurance,
absolute assurance. It’s…it’s related to the word “obey.” That’s why I said “confident
obedience.”
The word “faith” is pistis, believing, the believing of Jesus Christ.
Our literal translation according to verse 12 is as follows:
Ephesians 3:12 Literal translation according to usage
In whom [parenthesis] (God) [end of parenthesis] we have freedom of
speech and direct access with confidence by the believing of Jesus Christ.
The expanded translation is:
Ephesians 3:12a Expanded translation
That which in God gives us boldness in freedom of speech [parenthesis]
(with the veil torn down and the wall of partition broken down) [end of
parenthesis]…
You see, we had this earlier in Ephesians. That’s why I put it in a parenthesis here to
give you the understanding of the greatness of this verse. Which in God gives us boldness
in freedom of what? {speech}. Why? Because the veil has been torn down, the walls down,
direct access, introduced to God by the Lord Jesus Christ himself. Freedom of speech [taps
three times]. I had a wonderful earthly daddy. I talked things over with him. I had freedom
of speech. Whenever I wanted to talk to my daddy, he didn’t hit me over the head with a
ball bat. How much greater my heavenly Father [taps several times].
People through the years have laughed at me because they said, well, they wouldn’t
trouble God with such insignificant things. Well, they just didn’t know my God. They had
186 EPHESIANS 1981—1982—Taught by Victor Paul Wierwille
a lot of religion maybe, but they didn’t know my God, because my Daddy is interested
even in the hairs of my head, the fowls of the air, the flowers of the field. How much more
in His son or in His daughter, honey. There isn’t anything nor is there anything that I don’t
talk over with Him if I need to. You know, I didn’t always go to my father. You know, I
had to go to the bathroom, I didn’t go to my father and say, “Well, Daddy can I go to the
bathroom?” You know. He’s my daddy. If I had to go to the bathroom, I didn’t ask him, I
went to the bathroom. Now of course if I was sitting in a class I…in school, I had to hold
up my right hand, I think. The left one meant something else but…You know, I don’t go to
my Heavenly Father and ask Him if I can go to the bathroom, or when things come up like
[taps on desk]…came up today, and you say every day, honey, every day—every day,
many times, I go to my Father in freedom of what? {speech} speech to talk things over
with Him, because I have direct access. I don’t have to go through the Virgin Mary or St.
Gulliver, or whoever that guy was {audience laughter}, Michael or someone. That’s right.
I don’t have to go through a priest or a rabbi or through a preacher. You and I have direct
access in freedom of what? {speech} Honey, you talk to Him “turkey,” you talk to
Him…you know, in language you’ve got. God looks on your heart. You don’t have to talk
to Him in Ph.D. language. If you want to say “nuts,” say “nuts.” He knew the word. Talk
heart. How little, people, we’ve really loved God and the reason for that is we do not
understand the love of His son Jesus Christ and that we have access, freedom of speech,
access. Boy, oh boy. Direct entrance. Uh, I…I…I stopped with the parenthesis, did I?
{Yeah.} Got hooked on this thing. I’ll give you the rest in expanded: “…partition broken
down” end of parenthesis. We’re that far? {Yes.} Now here’s the rest.
Ephesians 3:12b Expanded translation
…and a direct entrance…
[Dr. Wierwille drops his hand on the desk.] Boy I love that. You know, direct entrance.
I don’t have to go to 15,000 secretaries to finally get to His private one. I don’t even have
to go through the private one, bypass the whole bunch: and a direct entrance. Oh and I love
this. Listen to this:
Ephesians 3:12b Expanded translation
…and a nearness…
And a nearness. He is my Father, kids. And a what? nearness.
Ephesians 3:12c Expanded translation
…with absolute confidence [taps on desk several times and pauses] by the
believing of Jesus Christ.
Verse 13. King James.
Ephesians 3:13
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your
glory.
The word “desire” here is the same word that’s used in the Gospels about ask and you
shall receive. Like I describe as you walk up to the cashier’s window at the bank with a
check and you’ve got a deposit there you collect it. That’s the word “ask.”
“I desire that ye faint not”—This can mean three things, Corps. “I ask that I may not
lose heart.” “I ask that you may not lose heart.” Or thirdly “I ask you not to lose heart.”
The latter one is the one that’s here…used here. God is requesting an effort on the part of
the believers that they don’t lose heart because of what He’s already done for them.
Tribulations are pressures of life.
I don’t think I need to say anything else over here. Give you a literal, of 13.
Ephesians 3:13 Literal translation according to usage
Wherefore I ask you not to be downcast at the pressures on my life. It is on
your behalf, it is for your glory.
And the expanded one.
Ephesians 3:13 Expanded translation
Because of this I demand that you don’t ever lose heart or act downcast
because I’m under pressure [parenthesis] (in jail) which is in your behalf
and for your glory.
Now that’s all I’m going to teach tonight. We’ll begin next session with the fourteenth
verse, and as you know the fourteenth verse picks up after verse 1. Picks up after verse 1,
in verse 1 you’ll have “for this cause” and then you’ll pick it up in verse 14; “for this
cause” and it begins the prayer which is the essential prayer, the pivotal prayer, the fulcrum
prayer on which the whole great revelation of Ephesians rolls.