Ephesians 3:7

"Of this [Gospel] I was made a minister according to the gift of God's free grace (undeserved favor) which was bestowed on me by the exercise (the working in all its effectiveness) of His power." Ephesians 3:7

I was lead in the flesh here, to say, "there are two kinds of ministers... Those God raises up, and self appointed ones", but The Holy Spirit was quick to straighten my thinking. In truth, there are "only" those whom God has raised up! Amen?

It is our responsibility to follow The Holy Spirit to the real Servants of God! We must still believe the Word of God which shows us that "He" appoints His own servants even today!

(Jesus ordered Paul to) arise, and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister (huperetes from hupó = under, beneath + erétes = a rower.

Literally described the men in the ship's galley, doing one thing -- rowing and with their eyes on one man, the man standing at the front of the hull, shouting "Row, Row! or beating the drum")and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you. Acts 26:16

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me." 1 Cor 15:10.

"Of this church I was made a minister (diakonos) according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col 1:25-27

"And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me." Colossians 1:29

This word "minister"... the translation might mislead some to think Paul is referring to our modern day meaning of Minister, a word that designates the pastor of a church. The New Testament never uses diakonos with that connotation. Paul is saying that he ministered the gospel or served God in the capacity of proclaiming and teaching the gospel.

Another word - diakonis, very similar, meant "in dust laboring, or, running thru dust". Other words of that period from the root -diako such as dieko, meant to hasten, which represents the servant in his activity for the work he is to do and speaks of one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master.

A diakonos in the NT described attendants, waiters, or those with other menial duties, deacons, ministers, servants (both slaves and hired) not in his relation to his master, but in his activity. The diakonos represents the servant in his activity for the work.

I believe another key within verse 7, is where Paul's says that his position was, "God's free grace! The Amplified reminds us, wherever we see the words "free grace", that it is His "undeserved favor"... I like that. And Paul continues... "which was bestowed on me by the exercise of His power." With this responsibility comes great "power"... God's power, not in the eloquence and wit, nor charm or appearance of the minister, but by Him, God! Amen?

I'll never forget, as a baby in Christ, how God used such an "unlikely" teacher to raise me up in His Word. Dr. J. Vernon McGee had a voice that I did not like, for some reason... and his accent made it even worse, "I thought". But when I first listened to him, I was compelled in my spirit, to keep listening. I dug through the scriptures with this man and I grew and grew. Before I knew it, I could not wait for that voice! It was the "power" of God pushing through Dr. McGee that reached many, like myself. Amen? Thank You, Lord!

Let's pick up with Ephesians verse 3:8 next time.

I love you.