Christ’s Prisoner

An Expository Commentary Based upon Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians

Robert B. Callahan Sr.

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN:
  9781608996476
  9781498257107
• eBook ISBN:
  9781630870683
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Criticism & Interpretation

Paul proclaimed he was in prison because he was Christ's prisoner. Why? Because he proclaimed the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ uncompromisingly without fear of retribution. He served the living Christ and succumbed neither to the wiles of Satan nor to the demands of the secular world. He gives all the glory to God and in so doing proclaims: the grace of God; knowledge in the mystery of Christ, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, . . . and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. He became Christ's minister by God's grace and His effective power working in him. God does this to enlighten and to strengthen each individual professing faith in Christ and endeavoring to walk with Jesus along life's pathway while enjoying blessings and gifts, as well enduring trials, tests, and temptations. Paul was the ultimate pastor and teacher in expounding Christ's teachings. He was a God server, not a man server. May those who preach and teach follow in Paul's footsteps by proclaiming God's entire Word faithfully.

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Christ’s Prisoner

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles [Eph. 3:1].

The third chapter begins with an interesting statement, For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles [Eph. 3:1]. Paul was a prisoner in Rome when he wrote this. His imprisonment helped confirm his apostleship. However, there were people at that time who used this fact against Paul and his ministry. His adversaries represented his incarceration in an unfavorable light.

So, what does Paul do? He turns the tables on his opponents and detractors. He declares to the Ephesians that his chains prove his calling as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because the only reason he was imprisoned was due to the fact that he preached the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul’s statement was a confirmation that he had discharged his responsibilities properly, faithfully, and effectively. The mind of Paul worked logically. He did not “shoot from the hip” or throw out ideas to see if they would fly or be accepted. He always had a plan with a definite purpose in mind.

When Paul says, For this cause, he is really saying “for this reason” or “because of this.” To what is he referring? To the contents of the second chapter and the astounding truths presented in those twenty-two verses. Namely, that the Gentiles who believed the Gospel have been made one with the Jews in Christ Jesus. The thoughts presented in that chapter were,

You hath he quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins;

But God, who is rich in mercy, . . . hath quickened (made) us (alive) together with Christ, (by grace ye are (have been) saved;)

For by grace are ye (have been) saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise,

Without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus . . . made nigh by the blood of Christ.

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

Fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

A holy temple in the Lord: . . . a habitation of God through the Spirit

[Selections from Chapter 2 of Ephesians].

Paul starts this portion of Ephesians saying he is a prisoner of Christ or, as Calvin says, an ambassador. Then almost immediately he digresses to give the Ephesians an account of his own ministry, his calling, his office, and his objective. In verse fourteen he returns to what he started to say in the first verse.

Paul stated simply and succinctly that he was not just a prisoner, but a prisoner of Jesus Christ. This was not idle boasting, but a dignified and faithful statement of the facts. The ignominy which was intended for Paul was transferred to the highest glory; as Calvin aptly stated, “So highly ought the name of Christ to be revered by us, that what men consider to be the highest reproach, should be to us the greatest honor.” Paul commends his persecutions, saying they were endured because of the Gentiles. This must have had a positive impact on the hearers.

There is a question to consider: why did Paul interrupt his thought trend in verse one and digress from verses two through thirteen? He explains this, saying, Wherefore I desire (ask) that ye faint not (do not lose heart) at my tribulations for you, which is your glory [Eph. 3:13]. He urges the Ephesians and others receiving this letter not to faint, or as the Greek word ekkakeō is interpreted, do not “cave in” at your tribulations, but regard them as their own glory. Oh, that we would not “cave in” when facing our own tribulations. When examining this statement we realize the Apostle is concerned about others and the glory of God. These were Paul’s outstanding traits.

Paul was writing to the members in Ephesus where he had resided for three years. He had not intended to write a theological masterpiece, yet this Epistle is crammed full of doctrine and theology. Paul’s intention was to encourage them in the faith, establish them, increase their knowledge and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and present practical, logical information and reasoning.

He was expounding Old Testament teachings and Christ’s earthly ministry. He was not interested in literary style or form, but in preaching and teaching the Gospel and proclaiming the spiritual life, the life in Christ. There were numerous times he said in Christ or with Christ in the first two chapters. Paul wanted the true believers to increase in their faith. He did not want them to stumble and fall, fade away, or “cave in.”

He knew they were anxious about his state of mind, his welfare, his sufferings and tribulations. Also, he knew they would remember that he taught them previously about the blessings of the life in Christ; how as a child of God he was always safe; the emphasis he placed on the glorious life in Christ; and the fact that Christ was with him and them, and watching over His followers. Paul remembered what he had preached and taught the Ephesians. He knew all too well that the followers might suffer a serious setback if they questioned or doubted the Gospel because he was a prisoner in Rome.

At that time, as well as today and through the intervening years there has been nothing comparable to the perplexity expressed by God’s people when confronted with the question of suffering. Questions are asked day in and day out: Why does God allow His own people to suffer, to endure trials and tribulations? Why should Paul, or anyone, for that matter, have to suffer? Paul addresses these questions in Philippians and in his letters to Timothy. Also, in this third chapter he digresses to deal with particular areas of discomfort, such as the pain, distaste, and suffering of the godly and righteous.

Note the approach he takes: He does not send a word or greeting expressing general or specific comfort. He does not say it is unfortunate that these things happen in this cruel world, or do not get upset because I am sure everything will be alright in the future. No, he does not do that. What does he do? He tells them how he looks at it, his own attitude and reaction. He urges them to look at the problem and to reason it out as he has done.

So questions are asked when things go awry: Why does God allow this? Why does He allow so and so to suffer? Why does He allow certain things to happen in the church as we know it today, or among the community of believers?

The Apostle makes a great statement on this whole issue and takes a positive stand. He says whatever persecution you may be suffering, whatever illness, pain, trials, or tribulations you may be enduring, or whatever disappointment you may have experienced, here is the way to face it.

First and foremost, the Apostle does not utter the first word of complaint. There is not even the slightest hint of a grumble. He does not ask whether this is fair, or state what he has done to serve God, not a word! No grumbles, no complaints.

Second, he does not hide behind a store mask and exhibit a special brand of fortitude. He does not say you have to take the good with the bad, or you have to like the rain along with the sunshine. He does not say pull your self together, be a man, show a little courage, keep a stiff upper lip. No, he does not say any of those things. Why? Because it does not have anything t...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Topical Categories in Walking with Jesus
• Volume Three: Topical Categories
• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• The Question of Authorship
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Christ’s Prisoner
• Chapter 2: Grace of God
• Chapter 3: The Effectual Working of His Power
• Chapter 4: Understanding God’s Purpose
• Chapter 5: Knowing God’s Plan
• Chapter 6: Bringing Us to God
• Chapter 7: God’s Riches and Power
• Chapter 8: For This Cause
• Chapter 9: Strengthening Believers
• Chapter 10: The Spirit of Christ
• Chapter 11: Preparing the Heart
• Chapter 12: Love and Knowledge
• Chapter 13: Life’s Foundation
• Chapter 14: Receiving Fully
• Chapter 15: Knowing the Love of Christ
• Chapter 16: The Supreme Need
• Chapter 17: Filled With God’s Fullness
• Chapter 18: Being in Christ
• Chapter 19: God’s Power
• Outline Questions
• Bibliography