8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 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 created all things by Jesus Christ: 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, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Verse eight reasserts the claim from verse two: Paul is God's chosen messenger to the Gentiles for this dispensation, which was previously unknown. Paul's humility (which is really just honesty) in spite of the privileges he has is noteworthy, as he is a pattern for us to follow (I Corinthians 11:1). We should also take notice in verse nine that Paul’s given ministry includes making “all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery.” The all-inclusive nature of his ministry speaks volumes: Paul's writing explains the mystery – the current dispensation – for Jews and Gentiles, east and west, male and female, rich and poor, lost and saved. The practical application is not to take someone to Matthew 24 or Acts 2 or James 2 to explain the current dispensation – take them to Paul!
Verse ten contains a glorious truth. The syntax is tricky at first, but when followed carefully we see that part of God's intention in unveiling the mystery is that the manifold wisdom of God would now be known unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places (Satan and his ilk, as well as God's angels: see Romans 8:38, Ephesians 6:12, Colossians 1:16. and Colossians 2:15). In other words, God points to us, the Church, as an example of His manifold wisdom. We are His trophies, in essence. Verse eleven reaffirms that this part of was God's intent – His eternal purpose – from the beginning.
Verse twelve returns to a result of being in Christ. We have both boldness and access with confidence. But how? Is it merely by our faith? No – it is by the faith of Christ that we have boldness and access (see Hebrews 10:19-22). When Paul says that we are saved by grace through faith and that not of ourselves in chapter two, he really means it! It is Christ that saves; it is Christ that delivers; it is the faith of Christ that affords us access, boldness, and confidence with God.
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