After the Apostle Paul wrote the first three chapters of “The Epistle to the Ephesians,” in which he penned the most glorious revelation of Truth God ever made known to mankind, he made a mighty proclamation for believers to—walk worthy of the vocation with which they had been called.

It is crucial that it be pointed out that there are several schools of theology which teach that the “Gentiles,” mentioned in the Second Chapter of Ephesians, does not, in fact, refer to people of other nations. But, the word, “ethnos,” translated as “Gentiles,” is a reference to the Jewish exiles. The Jews who still lived in Palestine referred to the exiled Jews in a most derogatory manner. The exiles were called “Gentiles,” and the “uncircumsized.” These epitaphs were hurled at the dispersed Jews because many of them adopted the way of the true Gentiles. They were looked down upon by the Jews “of the Land.” We had accepted this idea until our studies compelled us to consider this with all of its attendant innuendoes. Mr. Otis Sellers wrote, in his “The Resultant Version” translation of the Ephesian Epistle, the following “Note” on Ephesians 2:11:  “No one should attempt to interpret this portion (Chapter Two) until he is familiar with the Biblical history of Israel, and especially all of the facts related to the great barrier that existed between those in the land and those in the exile.” This type of remark gives us pause.

“Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory” (Ephesians 3:13).
 
We have concluded that the Apostle Paul received the Truth of the Mystery while he was undergoing “tribulations,” “sufferings,” and “afflictions.” These are, intimately, associated with the unique cluster of epistles which are called his Prison Epistles. It seems hard to imagine that what Luke reports in Acts 28:30-31 can be interpreted as the same conditions which Paul wrote about in the Prison Epistles.

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; …” (Ephesians 3:1-3).
 
In Ephesians Chapter Three, between Verses 2 to 12, the Apostle Paul explains his unique office as “the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles” (Ephesians 3:1). He was a prisoner for the express purpose of receiving the revelation of the Mystery. Paul didn’t consider himself a prisoner of Caesar, or a prisoner of the Roman Empire. He, rightfully, acknowledged that he was the prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ. Likewise; he suffered tribulations as a prisoner for the specific purpose of making known the Holy Secret, to wit, the Mystery, which he had received by revelation.

“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him” (Eph. 3:12)
 
The Apostle Paul said, of himself, that he was “less than the least of all saints” (Eph. 3:8) and, to him, was given grace that he might preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. His proclamation was to enlighten the “eyes of understanding” of the saints to the fellowship of the Mystery (Eph. 3:9). This fellowship, in which the Jew no longer had dispensational privilege and priority, was to instruct the dwellers in heaven—that is to say, the principalities and powers in “the manifold wisdom of God.”
 
Because of the believer’s position in Christ, as it relates to God’s eternal purpose in Christ Jesus, we are assured that we can have bold access unto God with absolute confidence. Not because of our uprightness, but because of faith that has respect to Jesus Christ as Head over all things to the Church (Ecclesia), which is His Body.