Ephesians 3:7-9
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Paul wasn't just given a ministry; he was made a minister according to a specific gift from God's grace, a gift that was itself a result of God's powerful working. This highlights that his apostolic role wasn't just an appointment, but a dynamic impartation empowered by God’s active force within him, transforming him from persecutor to preacher.
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining his role as an apostle for the Gentiles, emphasizing that this calling wasn't by his own merit but a gift from God. He's building on the previous verses where he detailed the mystery of the gospel being revealed to all people, not just Jews. This verse directly follows his statement about being entrusted with this ministry, so he's now explaining the divine source and power behind his mission.
Paul wasn't just 'good at' sharing the gospel; he was specifically equipped for it. Ever wonder what makes a 'minister' truly effective?
Paul starts by calling himself a 'minister' (or deacon). This word often means someone who serves, but in this context, it points to an official, commissioned role.
Not Self-Made
Paul clarifies immediately that this isn't a position he earned or sought out. It's a 'gift of God’s grace.' This means it was freely given, not based on his merit.
Empowered by God
This gift wasn't just a title; it was accompanied by God's 'working' and 'power.' His ability to minister, to be effective in spreading the gospel, came directly from God's active strength at work within him.
Paul's own life is a testament to the gospel's power. What does his transformation reveal about God's grace?
Paul's ministry was specifically 'according to' or 'in proportion to' God's power working in him. This 'working' (Greek 'energeia') signifies an active, in-dwelling power.
From Persecutor to Apostle
This power was so evident in Paul’s life that it transformed him from Saul, the fierce persecutor of the church, into Paul, the bold apostle to the Gentiles. His entire existence became a demonstration of what God's grace could achieve.
Grace Beyond Measure
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This wasn't just about Paul's conversion; it was about the enablement God provided for his specific mission. The 'gift of grace' included the commission and the divine inspiration needed to fulfill his unique role.
Understand the original words
diakonos · Greek Noun
One who serves, specifically an appointed servant of the gospel or the church, emphasizing humble service under the authority of Christ.
charis · Greek Noun
The unmerited, gracious favor of God, whereby He bestows blessings and salvation upon those who deserve judgment.
hagios · Greek Noun/Adjective
Those set apart for God; a common New Testament designation for all true believers who have been sanctified and belong to Christ.
Paul emphasizes that his apostleship wasn't earned but was a divinely appointed gift, powerfully demonstrated by his radical transformation from persecutor to preacher. This highlights God's sovereign grace and the incredible power at work in spreading the gospel to all nations.
c. AD 33-36— this verse
Saul's Conversion
While traveling to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus, a fierce persecutor of Christians, has a dramatic encounter with the resurrected Jesus. This event radically transforms him, leading to his conversion and calling him to become an apostle, particularly to the Gentiles.
c. AD 36-47
Paul's Early Ministry and Return to Antioch
After his conversion, Paul spends time in Arabia and Damascus before traveling to Jerusalem. He later begins his missionary journeys, eventually returning to Antioch, a key center for Gentile Christianity.
c. AD 46-48
First Missionary Journey
Paul, along with Barnabas, undertakes his first major missionary journey, traveling through Cyprus and Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), establishing churches and spreading the gospel to Gentiles.
c. AD 50-52
Second Missionary Journey
Paul embarks on a second journey, revisiting churches and expanding his ministry into Macedonia and Achaia (modern Greece), facing significant opposition but also seeing the gospel take root in new regions.
c. AD 52-57
Third Missionary Journey
Paul spends an extended period in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor, where he continues to preach and establish the church. This journey further solidifies his role as the apostle to the Gentiles.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Paul is imprisoned in Rome, likely under house arrest, where he continues to write letters to various churches, including Ephesians. During this time, he reflects on his ministry and its divine origins.
This passage echoes Paul's theme of his ministry being solely by God's grace and power, contrasting his former self with his current role as an apostle. It highlights that his achievements in ministry were not his own doing but the result of God's enabling power at work through him.
Galatians 1:15-16Here, Paul directly states that God separated him and called him through His grace, revealing His Son in him so that he might preach Christ among the Gentiles. This directly parallels Ephesians 3:7, emphasizing the divine origin and empowerment of his ministry.
Colossians 1:29Paul speaks of striving and wrestling in his ministry by God's power that powerfully works in him, which strongly aligns with the idea in Ephesians 3:7 that his apostleship was given by the effectual working of God's power.
2 Corinthians 4:7This verse states that believers have this treasure (the gospel) in jars of clay, showing that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. This reinforces the concept in Ephesians 3:7 that Paul's ministry, despite his human vessel, was enabled by God's powerful working.
cambridgeEphesians 3:7: "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."
7 . a minister ] Diâconos , a worker, helper. Cp. Colossians 1:23 . The word implies activity and subordination.—“I” here is not emphatic. according to the gift , &c.] See above on Ephesians 3:2 . The “gift” includes the commission and the inspiration. His “ministry,” both in field and in effect, was “according to” this great gift. given ] I.e. (by the b…
vincentEphesians 3:7: "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."
Gift of the graceThe gift in which the grace of God consisted, the apostleship to the Gentiles.By the effectual working of His power (κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ)Rev., better, according to the working, etc. The gift was bestowed in accordance with that efficiency which could transform Saul the persecutor into Paul the apostle to the Gen…
Paul wasn't just given a ministry; he was made a minister according to a specific gift from God's grace, a gift that was itself a result of God's powerful working. This highlights that his apostolic role wasn't just an appointment, but a dynamic impartation empowered by God’s active force within him, transforming him from persecutor to preacher.
Paul is explaining his role as an apostle for the Gentiles, emphasizing that this calling wasn't by his own merit but a gift from God. He's building on the previous verses where he detailed the mystery of the gospel being revealed to all people, not just Jews. This verse directly follows his statement about being entrusted with this ministry, so he's now explaining the divine source and power behind his mission.
Paul is explaining his role as an apostle for the Gentiles, emphasizing that this calling wasn't by his own merit but a gift from God. He's building on the previous verses where he detailed the mystery of the gospel being revealed to all people, not just Jews. This verse directly follows his statement about being entrusted with this ministry, so he's now explaining the divine source and power behind his mission.
"Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchabl…" — Paul wasn't just given a ministry; he was made a minister according to a specific gift from God's grace, a gift that was itself a result of God's powerful working. This highlights that his aposto…
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Last reviewed October 2026
