Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 3:2

"if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward;" — Ephesians 3:2 (ASV)

Paul elaborates on his ministry as a preacher to the Gentiles. He assumes that his readers are aware of his special commission, having heard about it either from Paul himself when he was with them or by report from others. Paul refers to his ministry as an “administration [GK 3873] of God’s grace.” The term usually means stewardship or task (Colossians 1:25). Here and in 1:9, however, it means the implementation of a strategy. Paul is not referring here to saving grace as in 2:5, 8, but to what enabled him to fulfill his calling as a missionary to the Gentiles (cf. vv.7–8; 4:7–13). Despite his personal unworthiness as one who had persecuted the church, Paul was God’s chosen instrument to carry his name before the Gentiles as well as to Israel (Acts 9:15). Furthermore, Paul recognizes that the extension of gospel privileges to the Gentiles is itself an act of grace (Acts 11:23), a grace given him for their benefit.