Visual Theology – Ephesians ?

This chart shows the structure. What follows explains each part.

Ephesians 3:1-12
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 you-ward, how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel; whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 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; 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: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

God’s Eternal Purpose

God’s eternal purpose is the central theme of Ephesians 3:1-12, where Paul unveils what was hidden in God’s heart before the foundation of the world. It is not an afterthought but the answer to everything—the singular intention from which all God’s actions flow (Ephesians 3:11). From eternity past, God conceived a plan to display His manifold wisdom, a truth unknowable until He chose to reveal it. Paul describes this as the “mystery” made known to him by revelation, which was not disclosed in former ages (Ephesians 3:2-5).

The Church as the Centerpiece

At the center of this eternal purpose is the Church—God’s masterpiece, created to be the vessel through which His wisdom is displayed. This is not about Israel’s earthly inheritance but about a people chosen before the foundation of the world, predestined to sonship through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:4-5). This body is the “new man”, enthroned with Christ in the heavenlies as “the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:23; 2:6, 15).

The Dispensation of Grace

The “dispensation” (oikonomia) of God is the arrangement through which He carries out this purpose, distributing the unsearchable riches of Christ. Paul’s calling was to proclaim this dispensation of grace, particularly for the Gentiles, who are now “fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6). This brings believers into the very union and fellowship shared by the Father and Son from eternity, making them “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:14).

The Church’s Exalted Position

The Church’s position is far above anything prophesied in the Old Testament. While Israel will partake in Christ’s earthly rule, the Church is seated with Him “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion” (Ephesians 1:21). Our life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3), and in the ages to come, God will show “the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7).

Displaying God’s Wisdom

God’s eternal purpose is about displaying His manifold wisdom through the Church to the principalities and powers in heavenly places (Ephesians 3:10). In this way, angels behold divine attributes such as mercy, kindness, and compassion—virtues that would have remained hidden apart from God’s plan to elevate the humble.

The Mystery of Christ

This is the mystery of Christ: that the Church, composed of those once considered unworthy, is the vessel through which the riches of Christ are displayed and God’s eternal purpose is realized. All things move according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11) to bring many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10). From eternity past, God’s heart was set on the Church as the centerpiece of His plan, the display of His manifold wisdom, and the fullness of Christ Himself.