We have all seen the amazingly creative ways people make announcements on social media. Some have professional pictures taken to announce a wedding or engagement, or some post ultrasound pictures of their babies. People have the most creative ways to share good news, with signs and inferences that the viewer has to guess. It has become a wonderful way to share life experiences with people. Likewise Yahweh had a plan to share good news with the world, but it all had to be kept secret until the right time. Yahweh has a plan for announcing the mystery, but we may not know what it is. Paul tells us in Ephesians chapter 3 about this announcement and what the aspects of the mystery are, as well as who the announcers are. He also tells us that we can comprehend the sacred things of God. We have not understood the dimensions of the sacred and holy and Paul wants us to know that now we can understand it. He also informs us we have a 24-7 communication line open, which is another truth that has been muddied over the years. This is the age of favor, and while that does not mean that life is somehow easy and carefree, we will see just what kind of favor we have.
We have two different mistranslations in this section and we have to take special note of the words used. Paul was using words that translators obscured and that has hindered our understanding of some very important things. We want to accurately understand Paul’s words and then many things will make sense to us.
Paul tells us of the administration of the favor of God. An administration is just like the social security administration or a Presidential administration; it is a working and functional management of a nation, or in this case a time period. The time period we are in is called the “dispensation of the favor of God”. Favor is the word charin (G5484), which is a derivative of charis, grace (G5485). Sometimes these words are interchanged in our translations. That can complicate our understanding, so we have to read the intended words to make sense of what Paul is telling us. Grace is needed for humans and it is freely given, not earned. Grace is needed for things that are unattainable by our own abilities, such as salvation. An example of grace would be a misstep, an unintentional mistake, God bestows grace instead of rebuke. Just a side note mercy is bestowed when judgement or punishment should legally be given for an action, mercy waives the punishment. Favor is given because God is good to us and gives us things we don’t even know we need. Favor is a a nice benefit that we are freely given. Favor includes special privileges as children of God. This age of favor was a mystery.
Ephsians 3:2G1489if indeed G191you heard G3588the G3622administration G3588of the G5484favor G3588 G2316of God G3588 G1325having been given G1473to me G1519towards G1473you, 3G3754that G2596by G602revelation G1107he made known G1473to me G3588the G3466mystery G2531(as G4270I wrote beforehand G1722a little, G3641
4G4314to G3739which G1410you are able G314reading G3539to comprehend G3588 G4907my understanding G1473 G1722in G3588the G3466mystery G3588of the G5547Christ)
3622LSJ Gloss: οἰκονομία the management of a household
Dodson: οἰκονομία stewardship management of household affairs, stewardship, administration.
οἰκονομία oikonomia oy-kon-om-ee'-ah From G3623; administration (of a household or estate); specifically a (religious) “economy” KJV Usage: dispensation, stewardship.
οἰκονομία oikonomia oy-kon-om-ee'-ah From G3623; administration (of a household or estate); specifically a (religious) “economy” KJV Usage: dispensation, stewardship.
5485 Thayer:
1) in favour of, for the pleasure of
2) for, for the sake of
3) on this account, for this cause
χάριν charin khar'-in Accusative case of G5485 as preposition; through favor of, that is, on account of KJV Usage: be- (for) cause of, for sake of, + . . . fore, X reproachfully.
2) for, for the sake of
3) on this account, for this cause
χάριν charin khar'-in Accusative case of G5485 as preposition; through favor of, that is, on account of KJV Usage: be- (for) cause of, for sake of, + . . . fore, X reproachfully.
3466LSJ Gloss: μυστήριον a mystery
Dodson: μυστήριον anything hidden, a mystery a mystery, secret, of which initiation is necessary; in the NT: the counsels of God, once hidden but now revealed in the Gospel or some fact thereof; the Christian revelation generally; particular truths or details of the Christian revelation.
μυστήριον mustērion moos-tay'-ree-on From a derivative of μύω muō (to shut the mouth); a secret or “mystery” (through the ideaof silence imposed by initiation into religious rites) KJV Usage: mystery.
μυστήριον mustērion moos-tay'-ree-on From a derivative of μύω muō (to shut the mouth); a secret or “mystery” (through the ideaof silence imposed by initiation into religious rites) KJV Usage: mystery.
This time period was a secret. The prophets prophesied of the age of favor to come and the angels wanted to lean over and see it, but they were not allowed to see it. Why? If the angels had known then it wouldn’t have been a secret. If the devil knew, he would try to stop this age of favor.
1 Peter 1:10-12 (AMP) 10 The prophets, who prophesied of the grace {favor} (divine blessing) which was intended for you, searched and inquired earnestly about this salvation.
11 They sought [to find out] to whom or when this was to come which the Spirit of Christ working within them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow [them].
12 It was then disclosed to them that the services they were rendering were not meant for themselves and their period of time, but for you. [It is these very] things which have now already been made known plainly to you by those who preached the good news (the Gospel) to you by the [same] Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Into these things [the very] angels long to look!
If we think about this, angels are ministering spirits sent to minister to the heirs of salvation, but they were not allowed to know about this secret. They might have asked “How can I do my job if I don’t know the mystery of favor the prophets were prophesying?” At least that is what we would ask. I’m sure some of the sons of God wanted to know the secret, but they were not told, and we will understand why shortly. It brings up another interesting point. We will judge angels.
1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (AMP) 2 Do you not know that the saints (the believers) will [one day] judge and govern the world? And if the world [itself] is to be judged and ruled by you, are you unworthy and incompetent to try [such petty matters] of the smallest courts of justice?
3 Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world and of this life only!
If we are created “below” angels why are the prophets speaking about the future and yet the angels aren’t privileged to that information? This is interesting. We have a lower opinion of ourselves in comparison to the other sons of God, we seem to think of ourselves as “less than”, but humans were not created less than, but equal to the other created beings. We lost our spiritual connection in the garden, but as we know there are other created spiritual beings that have fallen and have been been imprisoned in various places. We also know there are created spiritual beings that joined up with the devil and in the future will be thrown out of the upper heavens with the devil. We need to adjust our thinking regarding our position as children of God. The other sons of God were not privy to our administration of favor. Paul goes on to explain and will tell us about the favors that God gives us.
Eph 3:5G3739which G1722unto G2087other G1074generations G3756was not G1107made known G3588to the G5207sons G3588 G444of men, G5613as G3568now G601it was revealed G3588to G39[holy G652apostles G1473 his] G2532and G4396prophets G1722in G4151spirit;
6G1510.1[to be G3588for the G1484nations] G4789joint-heirs, G2532and G4954joint-bodies, G2532and G4830joint-partners, G3588 G1860of his promise G1473 G1722in G3588the G5547Christ G1223through G3588the G2098good news,
1074LSJ Gloss: γενεάrace, stock, family
Dodson: γενεά a generation a generation; if repeated twice or with another time word, practically indicates infinity of time.
γενεά genea ghen-eh-ah' From (a presumed derivative of) G1085; a generation; by implication an age (the period or the persons) KJV Usage: age, generation, nation, time.
The secret was that the nations were now joint-heirs and joint-bodies and joint-partners of His promise in the Anointed One. That was the original plan in the garden, but the devil usurped Adam’s authority on the earth and led Adam’s heirs astray because he believed he was better than Adam. The devil may have been in existence longer, but he is still a created being, just like Adam and Adam’s heirs.
Paul said the mystery was revealed to the apostles and prophets, just like Peter said. Paul says he became a servant according to the gift of the favor of God and by that favor he is announcing the good news.
Eph 3:7G3739of which G1096I became G1249servant G2596according to G3588the G1431gift G3588of the G5484favor G3588 G2316of God, G3588the one G1325given G1473to me G2596according to G3588the G1753energy G3588 G1411of his power. G1473
8G1473To me G3588the G1647less than the least G3956of all G3588of the G39holy ones, G1325was given G3588 G5484this favor G3778 G1722among G3588the G1484nations G2097to announce good news — G3588the G421untraceable G4149riches G3588of the G5547Christ,
421LSJ Gloss: ἀνεξιχνίαστος not to be traced, unsearchable, inscrutable
Dodson: ἀνεξιχνίαστος incomprehensible that cannot be explored, incomprehensible.
Thayer:
1) that cannot be searched out, that cannot be comprehended
ἀνεξιχνίαστος anexichniastos an-ex-ikh-nee'-as-tos From G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2487; not tracked out, that is,(by implication) untraceable
ἀνεξιχνίαστος anexichniastos an-ex-ikh-nee'-as-tos From G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2487; not tracked out, that is,(by implication) untraceable
KJV Usage: past finding out, unsearchable.
4149 LSJ Gloss: πλοῦτος wealth, riches
Dodson: πλοῦτος riches, wealth riches, wealth, abundance, materially or spiritually.
Thayer:
1) riches, wealth
1a) abundance of external possessions
1b) fulness, abundance, plenitude
1c) a good i.e. that with which one is enriched
πλοῦτος ploutos ploo'-tos From the base of G4130; wealth (as fulness), that is, (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specifically) valuable bestowment KJV Usage: riches.
1a) abundance of external possessions
1b) fulness, abundance, plenitude
1c) a good i.e. that with which one is enriched
πλοῦτος ploutos ploo'-tos From the base of G4130; wealth (as fulness), that is, (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specifically) valuable bestowment KJV Usage: riches.
Paul received favor to bring the good news, the gospel, of the incomprehensible riches of the Anointed One and to enlighten everyone regarding the fellowship of the mystery. Considering that Paul lived a life of struggles and contentions, it is hard to imagine that he is telling us he was fortunate to have the favor of God. Favor doesn’t make the devil stop attacking us. Paul fought wild bests in Ephesus, I’m sure the Ephesian saints remembered it well. Paul was also whipped five times, receiving 39 stripes, his back must have looked like ground beef. He was beaten with rods three times. He was stoned and left for dead. He was shipwrecked three times. He spent about 24 hours in the ocean. He was followed by evil people, Jews, heathens, and false brethren, and he was robbed, hungry, cold and anxious over the churches he was starting (2 Cor 11:24-ff, 1 Cor 15:32).
This does not seem like favor, and does not seem enjoyable. Paul regarded the message of Christ and the message of joint-heirs, joint-body, and joint-partners far more important, with a future benefit, than the hardships he had to endure. Imagine with that incomprehensible message of the riches of Christ, there were people following Paul and contending against him. People fought against the unsearchable riches of the mystery of Christ. Yet Paul was happy to suffer to bring the good news to people. It may be that Paul realized he worked hard to abolish Christianity, until that fateful day on the road to Damascus, and he might have realized he should work even harder to bring the mystery to the nations. But there is much more to this mystery.
As Paul continues, he states that he is also bringing enlightenment regarding the fellowship (partnership or communication) of the mystery. It was concealed from the eons by the Father and then made known through Jesus Christ. Now notice who it is made known to and who is announcing this mystery.
Eph 3:9G2532and G5461to enlighten G3956all G5100as to what is G3588the G2842fellowship G3588of the G3466mystery G3588of the G613thing being concealed G575from G3588the G165eons G1722by G3588 G2316God, G3588to the one G3588[all things G3956 G2936having created] G1223through G*Jesus G5547Christ,
10G2443that G1107should be made known G3568now G3588to the G746sovereignties G2532and G3588to the G1849authorities G1722among G3588the G2032heavenlies G1223through G3588the G1577assembly, G3588the G4182multifarious G4678wisdom G3588 G2316of God,
613 LSJ Gloss: ἀποκρύπτω to hide from, keep hidden from
Dodson: ἀποκρύπτω I hide away, conceal I hide away, conceal, keep secret.
ἀποκρύπτω apokruptō ap-ok-roop'-to From G575 and G2928; to conceal away (that is, fully); figuratively to keep secret KJV Usage: hide.
ἀποκρύπτω apokruptō ap-ok-roop'-to From G575 and G2928; to conceal away (that is, fully); figuratively to keep secret KJV Usage: hide.
1107 LSJ Gloss: γνωρίζω to make known, point out, explain
Dodson: γνωρίζω I make known, declare, know I make known, declare, know, discover.
γνωρίζω gnōrizō gno-rid'-zo From a derivative of G1097; to make known; subjectively to know KJV Usage: certify, declare, make known, give to understand, do to wit, wot.
γνωρίζω gnōrizō gno-rid'-zo From a derivative of G1097; to make known; subjectively to know KJV Usage: certify, declare, make known, give to understand, do to wit, wot.
746LSJ Gloss: ἀρχή a beginning, origin, first cause
Dodson: ἀρχή ruler, beginning (a) rule (kingly or magisterial), (b) plur: in a quasi-personal sense, almost: rulers, magistrates, (c) beginning.
Thayer:
1) beginning, origin
2) the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader
3) that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause
4) the extremity of a thing
4a) of the corners of a sail
5) the first place, principality, rule, magistracy
5a) of angels and demons
ἀρχή archē ar-khay' From G756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concrete) chief (in various applications of order, time, place or rank)
2) the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader
3) that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause
4) the extremity of a thing
4a) of the corners of a sail
5) the first place, principality, rule, magistracy
5a) of angels and demons
ἀρχή archē ar-khay' From G756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concrete) chief (in various applications of order, time, place or rank)
KJV Usage: beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.
1849LSJ Gloss: ἐξουσία power
Dodson: ἐξουσία power, authority, weight (a) power, authority, weight, especially: moral authority, influence, (b) in a quasi-personal sense, derived from later Judaism, of a spiritual power, and hence of an earthly power.
Thayer:
1) power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases
1a) leave or permission
2) physical and mental power
2a) the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises
3) the power of authority (influence) and of right (privi
ἐξουσία exousia ex-oo-see'-ah From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence KJV Usage: authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
1a) leave or permission
2) physical and mental power
2a) the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises
3) the power of authority (influence) and of right (privi
ἐξουσία exousia ex-oo-see'-ah From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence KJV Usage: authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
2032LSJ Gloss: ἐπουράνιος in heaven, heavenly
Dodson: ἐπουράνιος heavenly, celestial
heavenly, celestial, in the heavenly sphere, the sphere of spiritual activities; met: divine, spiritual.
Thayer:
1) existing in heaven
1a) things that take place in heaven
1b) the heavenly regions
1b1) heaven itself, the abode of God and angels
1b2) the lower heavens, of the stars
1b3) the heavens, of the clouds
1c) the heavenly temple or sanctuary
2) of heavenly origin or nature
ἐπουράνιος epouranios ep-oo-ran'-ee-os From G1909 and G3772; above the sky KJV Usage: celestial, (in) heaven (-ly), high.
1a) things that take place in heaven
1b) the heavenly regions
1b1) heaven itself, the abode of God and angels
1b2) the lower heavens, of the stars
1b3) the heavens, of the clouds
1c) the heavenly temple or sanctuary
2) of heavenly origin or nature
ἐπουράνιος epouranios ep-oo-ran'-ee-os From G1909 and G3772; above the sky KJV Usage: celestial, (in) heaven (-ly), high.
1577LSJ Gloss: ἐκκλησία an assembly of the citizens regularly summoned, the legislative assembly
Dodson: ἐκκλησία an assembly, congregation, church
an assembly, congregation, church; the Church, the whole body of Christian believers.
Thayer:
1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
1a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
1b) the assembly of the Israelites
1c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously
1d) in a Christian sense
1d1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting
1d2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake
1d3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body
1d4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth
1d5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven
ἐκκλησία ekklēsia ek-klay-see'-ah From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
1a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
1b) the assembly of the Israelites
1c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously
1d) in a Christian sense
1d1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting
1d2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake
1d3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body
1d4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth
1d5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven
ἐκκλησία ekklēsia ek-klay-see'-ah From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
KJV Usage: assembly, church.
4182 LSJ Gloss: πολυποίκιλος much-variegated
Dodson: πολυποίκιλος much varied, manifold.
Thayer:
1) much variegated, marked with a great variety of colours
1a1) of cloth or a painting
2) much varied, manifold
πολυποίκιλος polupoikilos pol-oo-poy'-kil-os
From G4183 and G4164; much variegated, that is, multifarious KJV Usage: manifold.
1a1) of cloth or a painting
2) much varied, manifold
πολυποίκιλος polupoikilos pol-oo-poy'-kil-os
From G4183 and G4164; much variegated, that is, multifarious KJV Usage: manifold.
4678 LSJ Gloss: σοφία skill
Dodson: σοφία wisdom wisdom, insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence.
Thayer:
1) wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters
1a) the wisdom which belongs to men
1a1) spec. the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and prov
σοφία sophia sof-ee'-ah From G4680; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual) KJV Usage: wisdom.
1a) the wisdom which belongs to men
1a1) spec. the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and prov
σοφία sophia sof-ee'-ah From G4680; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual) KJV Usage: wisdom.
This mystery which was hidden and concealed from the eons was made known to the arche and the exousia in the above heavens. Who are the arche and the exousia that reside in the above heavenlies? Both Peter and Paul told us that the other sons of God wanted to look into this mystery but were not allowed to. Again, if the devil had known he would never have crucified the Lord of Glory. This was a secret plan that was now made known to the sons of God in the above heavens by way of you and I, the saved and called out. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit, we are the stamped announcement. In the Fathers multi dimensional and multi variegated wisdom, none of the beings in the heavens, including the devil knew that after Jesus died, those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Christ would now be a neon sign announcing the saved, sanctified, redeemed body of Christ. We individually are walking advertisements of the multifaceted wisdom of God.
The secret is that the human race, which the devil tried so hard to extinguish into eternal damnation, exploded into the spiritual realm whiter than snow through the blood of Jesus Christ. The mystery of Jesus taking back the keys to hell and death, (keys multiple, two places), setting the captives free into paradise, was a long, well kept, secret. Then the mystery that all peoples from all tribes and nations would be able to reside in the heavenliness because Jesus’ blood redeemed mankind, was another aspect of the multi variegated wisdom of God. Also included in that mystery is that the non-Jews could obtain the same inheritance and become one body with Jesus; and that not by human works but by Jesus’ works.
Had the devil known the plan for human salvation, it would not have happened. This is why none of the sons of God could know. There were traitors among them from time to time, but if this secret was found out, mankind could have been tormented far longer than six thousand years. Today, we are the announcement of the foiling of the plan to kill off human kind forever, and we expose the multi faceted wisdom of God as we live and breathe. We announce this to the imprisoned spirits, the defector angels at the end of the age, the demons who are the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim, the principalities, the powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and to all humanity. But that is not all, surely it would be enough to obtain salvation, but he pours out on us riches, spiritual wisdom, and spiritual power as well.
Eph 3:11G2596according to G4286the intention G3588of the G165eons, G3739which G4160he made G1722in G5547Christ G*Jesus G3588 G2962our Lord; G1473
12G1722in G3739whom G2192we have G3588 G3954an open manner G2532and G3588 G4318access G1722in G4006reliance G1223through G3588the G4102belief G1473of his.
The intention of the ages is that we have freedom of speech and access to God by our trust and faith in Him. We can communicate with God any time we want, we have access or admission to Him. We can converse, ask questions, share our hearts with Him, and He is there for us. Only the most holy and righteous person could communicate with Yahweh before the day of Pentecost. But even though we may be a new believer, we can communicate with Yahweh immediately. We don’t have to follow rules and laws, and animal sacrifices; but, like Abraham, we can simply communicate with our Creator. We have access to Him because we believe in Him.
We know that there are regularly scheduled meetings of the sons of God on the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north where the sons of God give accounts as to what is going on, but we do not have to wait for a scheduled meeting, we have access all day, all night, whenever we want. That puts humanity in a better position than we recognize. We have an accuser that accuses us before the throne of God day and night, but we have access to the throne day and night as well. If this plan had been known by the devil, he would have killed off humanity long ago as opposed to attempting to amass a following. While the devil may have a group of people who follow him, there is a greater amount of people following the Creator.
Now Paul goes on, He gave us miraculous power to be empowered on the inside.
Eph 3:16G2443that G1325he should give G1473to you G2596according to G3588the G4149riches G3588 G1391of his glory, G1473 G1411power G2901to be fortified G1223through G3588 G4151his spirit, G1473 G1519in G3588the G2080inside G444man;
17G2730[to dwell G3588for the G5547Christ] G1223through G3588theG4102belief G1722in G3588 G2588your hearts, G1473 G1722in G26love G4492being rooted G2532and G2311founded;
The belief of Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior takes place in our hearts. That heart knowledge is what keeps us rooted and founded. This is why we cannot articulate our faith from a head or mind perspective. Our faith is in our inner most being, it is in the thoughts of our heart. One cannot communicate the thought of one’s heart to someone who only receives thoughts in their head. This is where the healing of fallen humans takes place, in our hearts. This is where our spiritual knowledge was lost in the garden. Spiritual knowledge in our heart is being restored to those who believe, but we still see through a glass darkly. Yet we see far more then those who do not believe. We have become spiritual beings sealed with the Holy Spirit, and we are an announcement to the world that humans are spiritual beings.
This is where we make the decision as to how far down the path we wish to go. As we studied last week humans have two predestined paths to choose from. The paths were predetermined from before the foundations of the world. Everyone is offered the choice. Yahweh desires that all would choose the path to eternal life as opposed to eternal death. But ultimately we make the choice.
Now the depths of the mystery go even further than all nations and tribes becoming joint-heirs, joint-bodies, and joint-partners, being sealed with he Holy Spirit, and being the living announcement of the mystery declared to the sons of God in the above heavens. The mystery is even deeper than our 24-7 access to the throne, and our spirits being fortified with miracle working power. There is more. The mystery includes that we be competent to perceive, or have strength to possess all the sacred things; the vast dimensions of width, length, depth, and height.
Eph 3:18G2443that G1840you should be competent G2638to perceive G4862with G3956all G3588the G39holy ones, G5100what is G3588the G4114width G2532and G3372length G2532and G899depth G2532and G5311height;
3956 LSJ Gloss:πᾶςall, the whole
Dodson: πᾶς all, the whole, every kind of.
Thayer:
1) individually
1a) each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything
2) collectively
2a) some of all types
πᾱς pas pas Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the wholeKJV Usage: all (manner of, means) alway (-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no (-thing), X throughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
39 Strong’s:ἅγιον a sacred thing (i.e. spot) Derivation: neuter of G40; KJV Usage: holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary.
Thayer:
1) reverend, worthy of veneration
1a) of things which on account of some connection with God possess a certain distinction and claim to reverence, as places sacred to God which are not to be profaned
1b) of persons whose services God employs, for example, apostles
2) set apart for God, to be as it were, exclusively his
3) services and offerings
3a) prepared for God with solemn rite, pure, clean
4) in a moral sense, pure sinless upright holy
ἅγιον hagion hag'-ee-on Neuter of G40; a sacred thing (that is, spot) KJV Usage: holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary.
We are now capable to know how broad, how wide, how long, how deep, and how high all the sacred things are. People put the added word “one’s” after holy, but that is incorrect. It reads that we are to have a vast knowledge with everyone, of the sacred and holy things. In other words, it is not that we are to comprehend along with the holy one’s, we are to comprehend with all beings, the sacred things, the holy. We can know the breath, width, length, and height of the holy. We are the billboard for everyone to know the sacred things. We are the announcement of the holy in all it’s fullness, this is why Paul prays that we comprehend it.
This is the second mistranslation in this section. Paul used G39 hagion, not G40 hagios, which is a person or people who are holy and set apart, or sacred. If Paul was talking about holy people he would have used hagios but he was talking about holy and sacred things. This small change in words changes the entire meaning of what Paul said. This section does not read smoothly like Paul's other sentences, therefore it should have alerted translators that they were missing something. Noticing Paul's next sentence begins with “and” which should have again alerted us to something unusual with the translations. The phrase “with everyone” tells us that all beings are included here, not just the called out, but the angels, demons, and the other sons of God. Now man has been given the favor to learn the knowledge of the holy things, like the other spiritual beings.
The sacred things have four dimensions. We can now comprehend the holy. We can now perceive the sacred. We can now grasp the holiest of all. We can understand holiness. We can seize purity. We can make sense of the sacred things, not sacred ones. That is huge. This has been an awkward translation attempting to pair this phrase with the next one, adding love. No, it is not that love is not sacred, it is that there is more to sacred things than just love. Now we have the strength to possess the sacred things and to know them well.
Paul then starts with “and” in the next sentence. We are to comprehend the sacred things and know the love of Christ. Two things here.
Eph 3:19G1097and to know G5037 G3588[which G5235exceeds G3588the G1108knowledge G26love G3588of the G5547Christ], G2443that G4137you should be filled G1519in G3956all G3588the G4138fullness G3588 G2316of God.
5235 ὑπερβάλλω huperballō hoop-er-bal'-lo From G5228 and G906; to throw beyond the usual mark, that is, (figuratively) to surpass (only active participle supereminent) KJV Usage: exceeding, excel, pass.
And we should know the love of Christ that exceeds knowledge. The amount of love Christ has for each and every one of us far surpasses our natural knowledge, we have to know it in our heart. We cannot understand it with our head. This is what is so remarkable about this secret mystery. His love for us is so intense he is willing to be beaten and crucified for us. In doing so he freed all who wished to believe on Him. We can walk the path of eternal life because of his exceeding love for us, and we can know the dimensions of the holy.
Eph 3:20G3588And to the one G1161 G1410being able G5228above G3956all G4160to do G5238.1superabundantly G3739what G154we ask G2228or G3539comprehend, G2596according to G3588the G1411power G3588 G1754operating G1722in G1473us,
21G1473to him be G3588the G1391glory G1722in G3588the G1577assembly G1722in G5547Christ G*Jesus, G1519to G3956all G3588the G1074generations G3588of the G165eon G3588of the G165eons.G281Amen.
According to the miracle working power in us, He is able to work superabundantly, or exceedingly abundantly above all that we comprehend. He works through us as we announce the mystery. He works through us as we learn the sacred things. He works through us to make known His multifaceted wisdom in making a way for all people to be joint-heirs, joint-body, and joint-partakers of Christ. To Him we give glory in the called out assembly to all generations of the eon of the eons, or age to ages.
We do not always understand what miracles can be done through us, just by being us, announcing the path of eternal life. We are the continual announcement to the other sons of God and we are the billboards on earth. Our pursuit of Him is simply how far we wish to go on the path to eternal life. We have an open line of communication to Yahweh, we should always be ready to listen as well. His riches are restoring what mankind lost in understanding the sacred and holy things of Yahweh. He gave us super miracle working power in an age of favor. This does not mean that life is all smooth sailing, if it is then we are probably no threat to the devil. Instead, this age of favor is an age where we have been given the ability to know the sacred, to communicate freely with Yahweh, and tell all the spiritual beings that mankind is on the way to being restored. This time of favor is the time we can share this good news and the depths of Jesus’ love for us with the world. It is a happy announcement. It is a message we can all celebrate.
