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…
Ephesians 3:8
There are three attitudes Paul displays in this short verse that must comprise an effective preacher of the gospel.
- Humility in relation to the rest of the church. Paul calls himself “the very least of all the saints.” He doesn’t claim to be an apostle or even the least of the apostles here. He claims to be just the very least of all the saints. The preacher is the lowest member of the congregation. It wasn’t his superior attitude or boasting in his calling that led him to preach. It was this humble need for the gospel himself. Effective preachers are not above the gospel. No… they are in need of it the most and preach from that great need.
- Grace is the gift. The very act of preaching the gospel is an act of grace. Paul did not “deserve” to proclaim it. God graciously gifted him to do so. Grace outpoured both in the message and the messenger.
- The message is of infinite value. Paul didn’t compose cheap, easy, and pithy thoughts. To him, the majestic gospel that was given to him to preach was of the highest value. It had a wealth with no end. The riches were unsearchable. You could not place a value on the grace of God in Christ. Paul was enriched by the preaching as he enriched others spiritually by faithfully proclaiming the inexhaustible riches of Christ.
Lord, may I humbly proclaim through the grace given to me the unsearchable riches of Christ! Amen
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