Sun 9:30a Class; 10:30a Worship; 11:35a Communion
Bible Bites
Manifold Wisdom of God
One of the most impressive things I have ever read is Ephesians chapter three and verse ten. It says; “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.” Grace had been given to the apostle Paul that he might enlighten men concerning the long hidden “mystery” which is explained in preceding verses. In all of this we see a fulfillment of the remarkable arrangement in the eternal purpose of God. You may be sure that this great scheme of redemption is no “Johnny come lately” affair.
He says, “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places.” It is my conviction that he is talking about orders of angels in heaven. These are intelligent beings that surround the throne of God. He is saying that when the wisdom of God is properly demonstrated in His church upon this earth that it radiates an impression that reaches unto heaven and causes those beings to see the greatness and glory of God in providing redemption for mankind. Someone has said, “Though men may scorn the salvation of Christ and all that belongs to it, the highest in heaven regard it with profound interest.”
He says, “Might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.” This might be stated “by the church” or “through the church.” The idea is, “by means of the church.” This is very much in accord with Paul’s statement in Ephesians 1.23: “Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” In a word, this “manifold wisdom” is simply the wise arrangement of God to recover man from sin.
The expression “manifold wisdom” is a striking phrase. It means, “variegated.” It is a word that is applied to pictures, flowers and garments. It is used in the Septuagint in describing Joseph’s coat of many colors. This wisdom of God is not just “great wisdom,” but wisdom so great that it is diversified and varied in the display of itself. It is like a panoramic view passing before the mind of man. As one observes the wisdom of God through the church he does not see just one small phase of wisdom, but he sees wisdom ever varying and ever beautiful. When men truly obey the gospel of Christ; that is, when they believe in Christ (Mark 16.16); when they turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30); when they confess Christ as God’s Son (Romans 10.10), and when they are baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2.38), they are saved from past sins and the Lord “adds them to the church” (Acts 2.47). As members of the church we become a part of the demonstration of the wisdom of God to a lost and dying world.
If we live as God intends us to live, then this “variegated wisdom of God” may be seen in every facet of our lives. Even men of the world may demonstrate a streak of wisdom in one area or another, but it will be far short of the “manifold wisdom of God” through the church. When men and women in the church live as they should, this wisdom is demonstrated in their home life, community life, in their pleasure, in their general attitude, and in fulfilling their duties in the local church.
Let us suppose that a man plants a peach orchard. He cares for it long before it produces any fruit. He predicts to his friends what he expects from the trees. Finally, the time comes when the trees are full of ripe fruit. The man calls his friends and says, “Come, pluck yourself a luscious tree-ripened peach and taste it. I want you to know that this is everything I ever had in mind for this orchard.”
In a sense, those of us in the church are God’s orchard. God is saying to a lost and dying world, “Come and observe and taste.” He is saying, “This system set forth in the New Testament and these people who belong to it and abide by my will are a living demonstration of my ‘manifold wisdom’ in redeeming man from his sins. This is the full fruition of all that I planned for man upon this earth.”
My brethren, it behooves each of us to live in such a way that the world may see a true demonstration of the “manifold wisdom of God” by the church of Christ upon this earth.
