Ephesians 3:1: Paul The Prisoner of Jesus Christ The Lord and an Ambassador in Bonds:

The 3rd chapter of Ephesians is a parenthesis between chapters 2 and 4 and verses 2 through 13 are parenthetical within chapter 3. Verse 1 in the King James Version (KJV) opens: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,” Ephesians 3:11 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

. “For this cause” can be translated “thus on this account” or “thus on account of this” or “thus for this reason.” So Paul’s statement “for this cause” points back to chapter 2, where in Ephesians 2:11 - 1211 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

he explains: “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:” In other words, before Paul, Gentiles could not partake of the promises God made to Israel they were simply bound for hell unless they proselytized to Israel and in faith followed The Law of Moses.

Paul proceeds in Ephesians 2:13 - 1813 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

: “but now in Christ Jesus” Gentiles could be saved by the death of Jesus Christ who made peace between Jews and Gentiles and broke down the wall of partition between them; having abolished by His death the law of commandments and made both, Jew and Gentile, one new man. Christ had reconciled both unto God in one Body by the cross. Through Christ, both Jew and Gentile now have access to God The Father by The Holy Spirit. And Paul ends the second chapter: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19 - 2219 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

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Paul’s statement “for this cause” in Ephesians 3:1 not only refers back to his statements in chapter 2 as to why he was a prisoner of Jesus Christ, it also points forward explaining why he was the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles. The Greek word from which our English “prisoner” in Ephesians 3:1 is “des’mios” G1198 found 16 times in the New Testament (NT). It is translated “prisoner” 14 times, “be in bonds” once and “in bonds” once. It is used 3 times in the account of when the Roman Governor Pilot dealt with the murderer/insurrectionist Barnabas whom the Jews chose to release and instead cried out for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Matthew 27:15 - 1615 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

& Mark 15:66 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

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The Apostle Paul is referred to as a prisoner 12 times: 7 as a prisoner of the Romans: Acts 16:2525 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

& Acts 16:2727 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

when he was in prison with Silas and an earthquake shook the prison doors open causing the jailer to contemplate killing himself because he thought all the prisoners would escape; in Acts 23:1818 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

when a centurion brought Paul to the Chief Captain to appeal to Rome, in Acts 25:1414 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

& Acts 25:2727 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

when he came before Festus and Felix and finally in Acts 28:1616 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

and Acts 28:1717 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

when he was in custody in Rome. (The 17th time the Greek “des’mios” is found in the NT, it is translated “in bonds” in Hebrews 13:33 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

: “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”)

Paul refers to himself 3 times as the prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles, Ephesians 3:1; Philemon 1:11 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

& Philemon 1:99 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

and 2 times as the prisoner of the Lord, Ephesians 4:11 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

; 2 Timothy 1:88 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

. The Greek - English Lexicon defines “des’mios” as “binding; hence passive, bound; a captive; a prisoner.” We all know what a prisoner is and it is easy to understand Paul being a prisoner of the Roman government. But, what does it mean to be a prisoner of Jesus Christ the Lord and was the Apostle Paul the only one who was a prisoner of Jesus Christ The Lord? There is obviously a dispensational truth involved here because no one else in Scripture, including the 12 apostles are referred to as prisoners of Jesus Christ. We might ask, are believers today considered, like Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ The Lord? If this is true, what does it mean or play out in the believer’s life today?

Paul also refers to himself as “an ambassador in bonds” where there is no doubt he refers to himself as being an ambassador: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:18 - 2018 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

. However, Paul also identifies as an “ambassador for Christ in 2nd Corinthians: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:2020 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

. The “we” in this passage obviously refers to Paul and Timothy, 2 Corinthians 1:11 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

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The Greek word translated “ambassador” is “presbeu’o” G4243 found only 2 times in the NT as just quoted in 2 Corinthians 5:20 and Ephesians 6:2020 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

. It is clear that Paul refers to himself and himself only as an ambassador in bonds in Ephesians 6:20. (The Greek words “in bonds” here are not the same as the Greek “des’mios” for “prisoner.” Here, “in bonds” means “fetters, manacles or chains.”) The Greek English Lexicon defines “presbeu’o” translated “ambassador” as “to be an elder or eldest; to rank before, take precedence of others - to be an ambassador or go as one; to treat or negotiate as one.” (There are a number of Greek words similar to “presbeu’o,” such as “presbu’teros,” G4245a translated “elder” 64 times out of the total 66 times it occurs in the NT.)

Since Paul clearly refers to himself as “an ambassador in bonds” in Ephesians 6:20 that leaves only 2 Corinthians 5:20 on which believers today can claim to be ambassadors for Christ. The Bible commentator John Gill teaches that believers today are ambassadors for Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:20. However, George Williams Complete Student Commentary makes no such statement. Furthermore, the very definition of the Greek word translated ambassador; “to be an elder or eldest; to rank before, take precedence of others - to be an ambassador or go as one; to treat or negotiate as one” seems to describe the Apostle Paul much more accurately than it does a believer today.

Chapters 4, 5 & 6 of Ephesians teach that some believers are given to be evangelists, preachers and teachers. Then, these chapters go into detail describing the practical ways in which believers are to behave in their walk, i.e, how slaves are to be obedient; masters are to treat slaves; how they are to treat fellow believers; how husbands are to treat wives and vice versa and how children are to obey their parents, etc.

Our next study will continue with the next verse in the 3rd chapter of Ephesians that begins the parenthesis within the parenthesis of the 3rd chapter: “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:” Ephesians 3:22 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

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