Ephesians 3:2 NLT - "...assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending His grace to you Gentiles."
Commentary:
Obviously connected with the preceding verse Paul is wanting the Gentiles to realize that the benefit received from his being in prison is that he sacrificed his freedom to tell them that God extended His grace to them so they, too, could be saved! Many times he was warned not to preach in the name of Jesus. But Paul took this as a responsibility before God, not only to please the Lord but to also make sure the Gentiles had the chance to hear this wonderful message. What sacrifices are we willing to make in order that others can have the chance to hear the good news? Are we willing to lose our freedom in order to spread the Gospel? Probably that wouldn't be an issue yet anyway, here in America, but there are other sacrifices we might be called upon to make. How about risking the ridicule for talking about Jesus where you work or in school? How about the time you might have to give to see someone in need, not only to talk with them, but perhaps to do something for them so they would be interested to hear what you have to say? Do you see this as a "responsibility" before the Lord? Remember the 3 "I ams" of Paul in Romans 1:14-16: "I am a debtor," "I am ready," and "I am not ashamed" of the Gospel. Do you sense an obligation (debt) to share the Gospel with others? Are you ready to do so? Or, are you too ashamed to speak up for Christ?
Commentary:
Obviously connected with the preceding verse Paul is wanting the Gentiles to realize that the benefit received from his being in prison is that he sacrificed his freedom to tell them that God extended His grace to them so they, too, could be saved! Many times he was warned not to preach in the name of Jesus. But Paul took this as a responsibility before God, not only to please the Lord but to also make sure the Gentiles had the chance to hear this wonderful message. What sacrifices are we willing to make in order that others can have the chance to hear the good news? Are we willing to lose our freedom in order to spread the Gospel? Probably that wouldn't be an issue yet anyway, here in America, but there are other sacrifices we might be called upon to make. How about risking the ridicule for talking about Jesus where you work or in school? How about the time you might have to give to see someone in need, not only to talk with them, but perhaps to do something for them so they would be interested to hear what you have to say? Do you see this as a "responsibility" before the Lord? Remember the 3 "I ams" of Paul in Romans 1:14-16: "I am a debtor," "I am ready," and "I am not ashamed" of the Gospel. Do you sense an obligation (debt) to share the Gospel with others? Are you ready to do so? Or, are you too ashamed to speak up for Christ?
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