Ephesians 3:7

Whereof I was made a minister, &c.— Though St. Paul does not, in express words, deny others to be made ministers of this doctrine, (for it neither suited his modesty, nor the respect he had for the other apostles, to do so;) yet his expression here will be found strongly to imply it, especially if we read attentively the two following verses: for this was a necessary instruction to one who was sent to convert the Gentiles, though such as were sent to their brethren the Jews were not appointed to promulgate it. This one Apostle of the Gentiles, by the success of his preaching to the Gentiles the attestation of miracles and the gift of the Holy Ghost, joined to what St. Peter had done by special direction in the case of Cornelius, would be enough, in due season, to convince the other apostles of this truth, as we may see it did, Acts 15 and Galatians 2:6. And of what consequence, and how much St. Paul thought the preaching of this doctrine his peculiar business, may be seen by what he says, ch. Ephesians 6:19. It is upon the account of his preaching this doctrine, and displaying to the world this concealed truth, which he calls every where a hidden mystery, that he gives to what he had preached the distinguishing title of my gospel; (Romans 16:25.) in which he is concerned that God should establish them. The insisting so much on this,—that it was the special favour and commission of God, to him in particular, to preach this doctrine of God's purpose of calling the Gentiles to the word,—was not out of vanity or boasting, but was of great use to his present purpose; as carrying with it a strong reason why the Ephesians should rather believe him to whom, as their apostle, it was made manifest, and committed to be preached, than the Jews, from whom it had been concealed, and kept as a mystery; and was in itself inscrutible by men, though of the best natural parts and endowments. See Galatians 2:8. 1 Corinthians 15:9.