Why We Are to Preach

The essence of Ephesians 3:10 is, To the intent that now . . . might be known . . . the manifold wisdom of God. What is the reason for preaching? Why have we made such an issue of it? Why is this such a big deal? Simply stated, the main reason for preaching of the Word of God is to make known the manifold wisdom of God. Will a comedian, a stage play, or a music concert accomplish this? Hardly. None of these worldly methods can possible dig into and then make known the depth of God’s wisdom.

This truth demands careful study. May we first review the word wisdom, which we studied back in 1:8. The Greek is sophia, a word which was important to the Greeks; they thought and wrote much about it. It speaks of a quality or attitude rather than an action. Aristotle said of this word, “Knowledge of the most precious things.” So, this word refers to the intellectual understanding of ultimate realities such as life and death. In other words, sophia speaks of the knowledge of the things that really matter, the things that matter most.

Therefore, used in our text this word speaks of God’s understanding of ultimate realities. That is why preaching is a “big deal.” It is designed to make known God’s understanding of the things that matter most. And no other method of ministry will do that. But, as if this word were not enough, Paul adds an adjective.

Notice the word manifold; what a marvelous word it is! The Greek here is polupoikilos and is found only here in the New Testament. The literal meaning is “multi‑colored,” that is, marked with a great variety of colors as in a painting. So, in our text the word means “many‑faceted” or “most varied.” It’s also important to note that the simple form of the word is poikilos, meaning “various” (e.g., I Pet. 4:10). But Paul makes a compound verb by adding the prefix polo, from which is derived the English “poly,” many. So, again, the idea conveyed is “mufti‑faceted” or “most varied.”

Think of it! God’s knowledge and understanding are the most varied, the most multi-faceted. It’s not just that God’s knowledge and understanding are deep, which of course they are, but that these take on many forms and possess infinite diversity. We can never understand anything of God unless He reveals Himself.

This reminds us again of how varied God’s dealings have been with man through the ages. Through the ages, God’s working has been “mufti‑faceted,” “multi-colored.”  Commentator Albert Barnes writes this beautiful description: “It is like a landscape, or a panoramic view passing before the mind, with a great variety of phases and aspects, all tending to excite admiration. In the redemption of the church, there is not merely one form or one phase of wisdom. It is wisdom, ever-varying, ever-beautiful. There was wisdom manifested when the plan was formed; wisdom in the selection of the Redeemer; wisdom in the incarnation; wisdom in the atonement; wisdom in the means of renewing the heart, and sanctifying the soul; wisdom in the various dispensations by which the Church is sanctified, guided, and brought to glory. The wisdom thus shown is like the ever-varying beauty of changing clouds, when the sun is reflected on them at evening. Each aspect is full of beauty. One bright cloud differs in appearance from others; yet all tend to fill the mind with elevated views of God.”

That is why we preach! Only preaching explores the depths of God, only preaching delves into who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will ultimately accomplish. It is the absolute height of arrogance to say, as many today, “Preaching is not relevant, we’ve found a better method.” How could anyone possibly improve on what God ordained—the preaching of the manifold wisdom of God?