Taking Care of Business (Ephesians 1:10)

EPHESIANS 1:10 says, "...that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one, all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, (even) in him..."

CHARITY

Many words, in the English translation of the scriptures, are taken from the Latin, rather than the Greek translation of the text. For example, the ever popular, and often misinterpreted, word "grace", is from the Latin word (gratia), where we get the English word "gratuity" from, whereas the actual Greek word is (charis), from which we get our English word "charity", which actually conveys the meaning of the Greek word a lot better.

DISPENSATION

Similarly, "dispensation" is from the Latin word (dispensatio), which has to do with "dispensing or dealing out" something, and is where we get the English word "dispensary". The Greek word used in this text is (oikonomia), [3622, Strong's], which is a compound word from (oikos), [3624], meaning, "house or dwelling", [but often implies the meaning, "family", since the house is where the family lives], and (nomos), [3551], meaning "rule or law", which is derived from (nemo), [3500.1, Apostolic Bible], which has to do with "shepherding or feeding", or dealing out or distributing the feed to livestock.

HEADSHIP of CHRIST

The text of Ephesians 1:10, is basically saying, that, in God's overall management, with Christ's coming, the times or seasons have reached their fullness, and everything that was in discord, or divided, is now coming together in unity, under the authority and headship of Christ. [The idea is that of a great household, of which God is the master and which has a certain system of management wisely ordered by Him (Expositors Greek Testament)].

CARE for the HOUSE

What is more significant, is the use of (oikonomia) as it applies to us individually.

Quite literally, the meaning of the Latin word (dispensatio) is all contained in (nemo), and much more, but the complete meaning of the Greek word is lost or limited, by Latin adaptation. The Greek word could literally be translated as "the law or rule or the house", or, how the house or family is governed. Understanding the meaning of (nemo), the meaning of "care for the house" is also attached.

LUKE 16:1-8 gives the account of the steward (oikonomos) who was to be dismissed from his stewardship of managing the affairs of his masters household. In his cunning, he reduced the amount owing, of his masters debtors, thus ingratiating himself into their favor, and actually received commendation from his lord, in that the steward discharged the exorbitant interest that his master had been charging, and thereby brought his master back into compliance with the Old Testament law.

GOVERN the HOUSE

The (oikonomos) was often a slave (doulos) of his master, or at least a servant (diakonos), that ruled or governed the affairs of his master, both in financial matters, and the overall care of other servants, to make sure that everyone in the household was provided for. By extension, it included not only the house-steward, but managers (oikonomos) of individual departments within the household. There were porters; estate managers; head cooks; accountants; and other heads of domestic responsibilities.

MANAGER

The (oikonomos) were even managers of cities, not unlike our mayors, but with more delegated authority and responsibility. Paul even mentions, "...Erastus, the manager (oikonomos) of the city..." (Rm.16:23). They had extensive authority over everything they were given responsibility to care for.

1 CORINTHIANS 4:1 says that we are "...managers (oikonomos) of the mysteries of God".

We are "...managers authorized to distribute the secret truths of God" (Goodspeed).

DISTRIBUTE

Our Father has given to us revelation concerning His kingdom and the ways of the Spirit, and we are to dispense or distribute that valued divine treasure to all who will receive it.

1 CORINTHIANS 9:17 says that announcing the good news is a stewardship (oikonomia) of responsibility, to which we are accountable to our Lord.

EPHESIANS 3:2 again emphasizes the management (oikonomia) of the charity (charis) of God, concerning the revelation we have received, to distribute that responsibly to others.

"...for you have heard, I suppose, of the responsible charge with which God entrusted me for your benefit" (Twentieth Century New Testament).

We have a responsibility to fully declare and announce the good news, "...by the divine commission (oikonomia) which has been granted me in your interests to make a full presentation of God's message" (Col.1:25, Moffatt)

Everything that we do is "...to further the divine plan (oikonomia) which is revealed in (the) faith..." (Twentieth Century New Testament)

1 PETER 4:10

"As each of you has received a gift; a particular spiritual talent; a gracious divine endowment; employ it for one another as...faithful stewards (oikonomos) of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians..." (Amp)

"Whatever the gift that each has received, you must keep on using them in serving one another; for another's benefit, as good managers; careful stewards (oikonomos) of His many-sided; unlimitedly diverse giftings" (TCNT; Wms; Wey; Rhm; Amp; Apostolic Bible)

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours