Ephesians 3:10

“to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God”

“To the intent”: “And His reason?” (Tay). “In order that now” (Rhm). “The purpose is” (Phi). “A special kind of manifestation has been declared by Paul. In one verse he explains who sees it, ‘through whom' they see it, and exactly ‘what' they see” (Caldwell p. 120). “Principalities and powers in the heavenly places”: Various views exist concerning "who" is included in the above phrase. The phrase "heavenly places" would rule out earthly governments or the Jewish religious leaders (Ephesians 1:3). Angels have longed to look into this plan (1 Peter 1:12). The only question is, does this passage include evil powers? (Ephesians 6:12) “Made known”: Spiritual beings such as angels, and even the devil are not "all-knowing". The good news is that the devil, does have some "blind spots". God's plan was even hidden from the prince of darkness and even the devil didn't know what God was really up to. “Through the church”: “By means of the Church” (Vincent p. 382). “Manifold”: Much variegated.

The church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). The church does preach and proclaim God's wisdom, that is the wisdom revealed in the gospel message. But the church also demonstrates the wisdom of God, by it's very existence. "The fact that God had done the seemingly impossible--reconciling and organically uniting Jews and Gentiles in the church--makes the church the perfect means of displaying God's wisdom" (Boles p. 250). “Thus, the church does not exist for itself; it exists for God and His glory” (p. 250). “And in this new phenomenon, this new multi-racial humanity, the wisdom of God was being displayed. Indeed, the coming into existence of the church, as. community of saved and reconciled people, is at one and the same time. public demonstration of God's power, grace and wisdom” (Stott p. 123).

“This church of Christ is designed to be an object of wonder and amazement to heavenly beings of every station and rank” (Erdman p. 70). “God's wisdom has been seen and continues to be seen in the spirit realm and by all on earth who reflect upon the Lord's provisions. Paul did not say that the wisdom of God is seen in our imperfect human activity in the church. It is seen in the infinite plan of God and in His ability to match any situation of life with which we are faced, nonetheless bringing us together in one body unto Himself. Our absurd stupidity is made known when we disregard any aspect of His plan, challenge His authority in the church, or question His revelation of truth” (Caldwell p. 122).

God's wisdom is only seen in the church when we follow His plan. Human innovation, addition or subtraction, "makes known" human shortsightedness. Every aspect of the church reflects God's wisdom such as the terms of entrance and exit (yes, church discipline, when properly carried out, demonstrates how wise God's plan is), its organization, worship, and work. Every time. church departs from God's revelation in. particular area, it is refusing to listen to God's wisdom, Hence, if we love God and if we want to see Him get all the credit (Matthew 5:16) and the glory due His name, then we will be content and happy to follow His revelation and only His revelation (John 14:15).