For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.  Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:1 – 6

The church in Ephesus included Jews and Gentiles, yet Paul, as he begins this section of his writing, addresses the Gentiles.  At least that is how I read the text.  “For the sake of you Gentiles.”

Without doubt, this is one of most astounding revelations imaginable – Jews and Gentiles living together in peace!  Paul did not arrive at this conclusion because he was so brilliant.  It was revealed to him by God.  He goes on to say that not only did he receive this revelation but others did as well.  He refers to them as apostles and prophets.  They, too, received this revelation by the Spirit of God.  This is not a private revelation only to Paul, but many believers, Jews and Gentiles received the revelation.

So, what is this revelation?  This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.  I am overwhelmed as I think of this. Even casual readers of the Old Testament are struck by the way God insulated the Jews from Gentile influences. Then, we read this statement!  It is hard to adjust our thinking to absorb this truth.  The theme of God’s calling the Jews was that they must be separate from the world.  “Be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing.”  Then we hear the startling news, Gentiles and Jews who love Jesus are now members together of one body. 

How is that to be realized in Ephesus, in our world today?  Is this not the vital issue?  It is easy to split. It requires the grace of God to live as one, together.