Visual Theology – Ephesians ?

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

Ephesians 3:1-11
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.

The Revelation of the Mystery Given to Paul

The revelation of the mystery given to Paul marks a decisive turning point in God’s purpose. Paul declares he was made a minister “according to the dispensation of the grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2), a mystery “hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest” (Colossians 1:26). This mystery is that Gentiles are “fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6).

This truth was not revealed in previous ages. Old Testament prophecy centered on Israel and the Messiah’s earthly reign (2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Peter 1:10-12). The mystery Paul unveils is not that Gentiles would be blessed through Israel, but that God would create a new man, reconciling Jew and Gentile together in one body by the cross (Ephesians 2:15-16).

The Heavenly Inheritance of the Body

The Body of Christ is not an extension or replacement of Israel, nor do believers inherit Israel’s earthly promises. The inheritance of the Body is heavenly. We are “joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17), sharing in Christ’s own position. The Church’s inheritance is “the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18), a reality far above all principality and power (Ephesians 1:21).

Direct Access and the Spirit of Christ

This new creation is characterized by direct access to the Father through the Spirit (Ephesians 2:18). This is Christ’s own access, because we come in Him. The Spirit in view is the Spirit of the glorified Christ—“the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:19), the life-giving Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45), who conveys all He has accomplished. This fulfills the promise “that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14).

Our Position in Christ

As members of the Body, we are the habitation of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). Our life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3-4), and we are seated with Him in the heavens (Ephesians 2:6). Christ shares His throne, life, and inheritance with His brethren. We are “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6), and God deals with us in His Son.

Understanding this mystery—the dispensation of the grace of God—is essential. Our rule of life is not the law or an earthly kingdom, but Christ Himself in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). This vision, uniquely revealed through Paul, is the foundation for the Christian life in this age.