Visual Theology – Ephesians ?

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

Ephesians 3:2-9
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.

The Stewardship of God's Riches

Paul reveals in Ephesians 3:2-9 how God manages His household in this age. He speaks of "the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward" (Ephesians 3:2). This dispensation (Greek oikonomia, meaning household arrangement) is specifically the administration of grace for the Gentiles. It describes God’s plan for distributing the wealth of His household to His heirs.

The Riches of the Household

God’s riches are "the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8)—all that Christ is and has accomplished for our life, righteousness, and wisdom. The Father intends to distribute these to His children, who are "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17).

The Stewards of the Mysteries

These riches are distributed through appointed stewards. Paul calls himself and fellow workers "stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Corinthians 4:1). A steward manages and dispenses the household’s wealth, training the heirs to understand and enjoy their inheritance. Paul’s unique stewardship was to reveal the mystery—that Gentiles are "fellow-heirs, of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel" (Ephesians 3:6). This ministry imparts the riches of Christ to nurture spiritual children into mature sons.

The Goal: Mature Sons for God's Purpose

True ministry is "godly edifying which is in faith"—literally "God’s oikonomia in faith" (1 Timothy 1:4). By dispensing Christ, it builds up God’s house into a "habitation of God through the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:22). As heirs are supplied, they grow from immaturity into sons who share the Father’s purpose. This fulfills God’s eternal plan: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ" (Ephesians 1:10).

Paul’s ministry is the pattern for all stewardship: by revealing the mystery, stewards bring heirs to maturity—equipping them to walk as sons, filled with Christ’s riches, and participating in God’s eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:11).