Sunday: Paul ~ Imprisoned Apostle to the Gentiles
Read Ephesians 3:1-21. As you do so, identify one or two main themes. What major points does Paul make?
Ephesians chapter 3 displays an interesting structure. Paul begins the chapter with these words: “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles” (Ephesians 3:1, NKJV).
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Then, he breaks off for what turns out to be a lengthy digression focused on his work as apostle to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:2-13). After the aside, he signals a return to his original train of thought by repeating the phrase, “For this reason” (Ephesians 3:14, NKJV), with verses 14-21 providing his interrupted prayer report.
In Ephesians 3:1, Paul identifies himself as “the prisoner of Christ Jesus” (NKJV), his way of arguing that though he may reside in Roman captivity and appear to be under the authority of the Roman Empire, there is a deeper, divine purpose being worked out in his life. He is not the prisoner of Rome but “the prisoner of Christ Jesus”! (compare Ephesians 4:1).
Paul’s mention of his “suffering” (Ephesians 3:13, ESV), and his later mention of his chains (Ephesians 6:20, ESV), suggest that he is not under relatively comfortable house arrest (compare Acts 28:16) but is in prison. Being in prison in the first century and in a Roman dungeon was especially challenging. The Roman Empire did not run well-organized prisons with sanitary facilities and regular meal service. In fact, the empire had little need for prisons since incarceration was not used as a means of punishment. People were placed in prison only while they awaited trial or execution. Prisoners were expected to provide for themselves and were dependent on relatives and friends to supply food and other needs.
Paul’s worries perhaps center on the emotional impact of his imprisonment on believers, since being a prisoner was an extreme social disgrace in the context of an honor-shame culture. He might fear that some will ask, “How can Paul be the apostle and messenger of the exalted Christ and be a despised prisoner?” So he reframes his imprisonment, helping believers to see it as part of God’s plan. He is suffering for them (“suffering for you,” ESV) and what appears to be a source of shame will in fact turn out to be for their “glory” (Ephesians 3:13).
| How can we learn to trust God and His ways amid what can be very trying circumstances? |
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It is useful to read the account of how Paul was imprisoned in Acts 21. He had gone back to Jerusalem and had essentially walked into the Apostolic Church's great controversy. The leaders of the church knew what he had been doing among the Gentiles but there was a lot of agitation from the Judaizers for Paul to show that he still stood solidly with the law of Moses.
Apparently, it was ok for the Gentiles to be uncircumsized but they wanted the Jewish stirrers to know that Paul was solidly a Jew.
They had just about finished the ceremonial cleansing when some of the Asian Jews recognised him and they caused a big riot that ultimately led to Paul's imprisonment.
Paul had been warned by the Holy Spirit not to go to Jerusalem but had gone anyway. And then he had taken part in a very Jewish ceremonial cleansing. I rather suspect that he made a couple of very bad decisions.
However, be that as it may, God used Paul's imprisonment together with his insistence on being tried as a Roman citizen and gave him the opportunity to write his compelling epistles, not only for the early church but for us today.
Perhaps one thing we can learn from all of this is that the Apostolic Church had just as many racial problems in their day as we have in ours. If we are going to be united in Christ we need to ask the Holy Spirit to give us a heaped-up measure of tolerance and understanding of one another.
Paul needed not get ashamed of the bonds as he was not a prisoner due to any capital crime but on account of preaching Christ so that others will get to know the truth.He became a prisoner in the service of the Lord and Redeemer and regarded this as a badge of honour.
Paul's viewpoint of life was different from others when they get into trouble when the word "of" is used.Let us not look at our trying circumstances,rather,let us look at what God is doing in our lives and count it all joy.When we are going through difficult times,let us take that as an opprtuinity to transform our prayer life.Let us claim the promises in the Bible about prayer.Through prayer,let make our emotions known to God.When we get overwhelmed,let us make God part of our lives.When we are longing for something,let us learn to believe in God,and trust that he hears our prayers.Let us believe that trying circumstances can be an opprtunity for God to come through.Let us not think that God has abandoned us or have our hopes destryoyed.God's destiny will rise above the trying circumstances.
How can we, as Christians, learn to trust God and His ways amid what can be very trying circumstances?
Trusting God amid trying circumstances can be challenging, but there are several practices and attitudes that can aid in this process.
1. Prayer: Consistent, honest communication with God is crucial. Share your worries, doubts, and fears with Him. Ask for patience, understanding, and peace.
2. Bible Study: God's Word is a source of comfort and guidance. Familiarize yourself with stories of how others in the Bible endured hardships with faith, and meditate on God's promises for comfort and deliverance.
3. Reflection: Recall past instances when God helped you through difficult times. Reflecting on God's faithfulness in the past can strengthen your trust in His present and future care.
4. Fellowship: Share your struggles with a trusted Christian friend or group. They can provide encouragement, perspective, prayer, and tangible help.
5. Practice Gratitude: Despite the difficulties, find reasons to be thankful. Gratitude shifts your focus from problems to God's blessings.
6. Patience: Understand that God's timing might be different from yours. Delay does not mean denial.
7. Surrender: Ultimately, trust involves letting go of our desire for control. Surrender your situation to God, believing He wants the best for you, even if His ways are not always immediately clear.
Let us remember that growth will often occur through trials. Though trials are challenging, they are opportunities to deepen our relationship with God and to rely more fully on His strength and love.
I have found it most helpful to read Ephesians in other versions than KJV. Paul is difficult enough to follow at times & there is so much more to be absorbed through the NIV, the New Living, English Standard, even The Message! Paul, I hear you better with language other than King James’s English!
It does not sit well with me to consider Paul as a ‘prisoner’ of the Lord. The word ‘prisoner’ brings to mind only images of ‘being constrained against one’s will, 'having one’s freedom taken away'. With Jesus Christ, just the opposite is true – we received freedom from imprisonment and death through willingly finding our ‘being’ in Jesus Christ.
For me, it would be more acceptable to consider him a prisoner for or on behalf of the Lord. Paul considered himself to be send to the Gentiles as a specially chosen Apostle. He held credentials with the Romans and the Jews, being therefore well equipped to find the greatest leverage through these earthly powers. But he also had to face the dangers of their resistance and anger as he presented Jesus as the Son of God through his message.
Isaiah 53:3-12 foretells our Savior’s treatment by those powers which Paul would eventually face. Though Paul was strong in his faith and had not doubt about who he believed in, he needed to find how best to respond when being confined by his troublers. He gave thanks in all circumstances, confirming his believe that he followed the right path and letting others know how he felt.
It is so important to emulate Paul in his unmovable faith in the superiority of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in face of all adversity. Paul, as recorded in Rom.8:1-39, encourages us to also remain strong through knowing the reasons and the workings of our faith. He did not focus on his tribulations, but rather focused on the understanding that ‘all things will work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes’ – Rom.8:28.
The work of the Ekklesia is still ongoing, let us take courage and follow the path laid out before us - 1Thess.5:1-24.
It is challenging to achieve internal growth without any fight. Life is a battle, a constant field of demanding choices that may not openly display consequences. But there is someone Who challenged and conquered the world! He's the best choice.