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#52.
Two aspects of the Apostle's ministry (Eph. 3: 7, 8).
pp. 149 - 152
We have considered the great threefold statement concerning Gentile blessing. We
now pass on to observe the added statements of the passage. In verses 7 and 8 appear
two descriptions of one office, the one viewed from the standpoint of Divine
appointment, the other from the standpoint of human fitness. From the standpoint of
Divine appointment the wording is direct, unapologetic, full of the consciousness of
spiritual importance. On the human side there is intense humility, but in both there is
grace. The apostle speaking of his ministry says that it was:--
"According to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of
His power."
The wording here is noteworthy. "Effectual working" is in the original energeia =
"inworking" or "energy". Power is the word dunamis. In Eph. 1: 18-20, speaking of the
resurrection of Christ at the conclusion of the first prayer, the apostle says:--
"That ye may know . . . . . what is the exceeding greatness of His power (dunamis) to
usward who believe, according to the working (energeia) of the strength of His might,
which He wrought (energeō) in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead."
We say "speaking of the resurrection of Christ", but the passage is more strictly
concerning the power which is to "usward who believe". The mighty power which raised
Christ from the dead is "to usward who believe". Such a statement when compared with
the poverty of our present experiences of the grace of God may sound strange, but it is a
Scripture for us and about us. Again in chapter 3: 20, 21, at the conclusion of the
second prayer of the epistle, the apostle says:--
"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power (dunamis) that worketh (energeō) in us. Unto Him be glory."
Here again the fulfillment of this prayer is associated with the same marvelous power
and energy. In chapter 4: 16 this energy is seen pulsating through every member of the
One body as its very life blood:--
"From Whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every
joint supplieth, according to the effectual working (energeia) in the measure of every
part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."
In direct contrast with these passages comes the statement in Eph. 2: 2:--
"According to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh (energeō)
in the children of disobedience."
This dread energizing is manifested in the "lust of the flesh, fulfilling the wills of the
flesh and of the mind" (verse 3) and those thus energized have no idea that in thus
following their own bent they are being so led and empowered. This is probably so with
regard to the believer. In the ordinary way this energy of God which flows to us through