Ephesians 3:13 – Despondent?!?

Wherefore I am requesting you not to be despondent at those of my afflictions for your sake which are your glory.

Paul had written down so much glory in the foregoing of this letter. About the sky-high position that GOD had already devised to the ecclesia before the birth of the world. About the spiritual unity that has been established between ‘heathen’ and Jew and the wall (the law of precepts) that divided them, which has been broken down. About the Divine secret that was made known through Paul and “the purpose of the eons” that GOD, as the Creator of all things, works out. And so on.

Paul was a prisoner. But in his eyes the light radiated of the good news that he was allowed to proclaim! How wonderful does his request sound: he asks his readers not to become despondent of his oppressions. The trouble of his afflictions did not make Paul gloomy or depressed in any way. And his readers should not let themselves be pushed down by it either.

Paul’s imprisonment meant that doors had closed. But wherever ma closes a door, GOD opens a window. From the prison Paul was allowed to show perspectives that had never been seen by anyone. Glory, unprecedented!

Delen: