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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 127

"If indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you."

Text: Ephesians 3:2

THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD

The word “dispensation” (“oikonomia”) warrants a deeper examination. W. E. Vine offers the following suggestions (An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).

1. Dispensation (“oikonomia”) primarily signifies the management of a household.

2. It is “a stewardship”.

3. In Application (in the epistles of Paul)

a) A responsibility entrusted (for example, of preaching the Gospel).
b) A stewardship committed to be fulfilled.

4. An important disclaimer

“A dispensation is not a period of time or epoch (a common but erroneous use of the word).”

W.E. Vine’s scholarly contribution must be acknowledged. His suggestions must be carefully applied to the text we are studying.

APPLYING VINE’S CONCEPT OF THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD

How should we understand this application of the phrase “dispensation of the grace of God”? Let us consider the following thoughts (if we agree and follow Vine’s suggestions).

1. The Grace of God

a) This was a great cardinal doctrine in Pauline theology.
b) Grace was the underlying reason that salvation was made possible at all.
c) The Grace of God must be personally received into one’s life.

2. The Dispensation

a) It was a responsibility entrusted to Paul to proclaim the grace of God.
b) It was a stewardship that Paul sought to fulfill throughout his life.
c) In God’s management of His household, Paul was entrusted with a special task.

He was to especially proclaim the grace of God as an apostle to the Gentiles. He made much of this dispensation entrusted to him.