was made a minister, according to the
gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his
power."

The Apostle Paul states in these verses that he was made the channel of
a revelation concerning a mystery which was not made known in former
ages unto the sons of men. This mystery is that the Gentiles should be
fellowheirs, and of the same body. The body of which he speaks, is the
church. In that body Jews and Gentiles are gathered into one, as the
one new man "where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor
uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all
and in all." Of this bringing into one we read in the Gospel of John
(chapter x) where our Lord spoke of entering the sheepfold (Judaism)
and leading out His sheep. Then He mentioned other sheep, which were
not of His fold (Gentiles): "Them also I must bring, and they shall
hear my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." He came
and led His first sheep out of the Jewish fold. On the day of
Pentecost these Jewish believers were constituted the Church. That
Gentiles should be added to that body was not made known then. It was
revealed to the Apostle Paul. But the Lord indicates this fact here
when He speaks of the other sheep. This He mentioned likewise in His
prayer: "That they all (who believe on Him) may be one; as Thou,
Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us, that
the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John xvii:21). The
Epistle to the Ephesians, in which the Spirit of God reveals this
mystery, makes known the glory of the church, the body of Christ. He
is the head of that body and as such the church is His own fulness,
"the fulness of Him who filleth all in all" (Eph. i:23). Every member
in that body shares the life of the risen, glorified head. Every
member is quickened together with Christ, raised up and seated in the
heavenlies in Christ Jesus (ii:5-6). And furthermore we read that the
members of this body, that is, all true believers, saved by grace and
born again, are made nigh by the blood of Christ, and have access by
one Spirit unto the Father. "Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers
and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the
household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom all
the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy te