1. A prisoner for your sakes (1-2)

How did Paul become a prisoner in Rome? He was hated by his fellow Jews because he had fellowship with Gentiles. He was arrested in Jerusalem because of this. But he was not sorry or discouraged because of this rejection by men. By God's grace, he was an apostle, a missionary to the Gentiles. God had revealed to him in the Bible his purpose to evangelize the Gentiles, and the Risen Christ had personally called him to this task.

2. A steward of the mystery of Christ (3-6)

The mystery which God had revealed to Paul was that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body. Paul stood at the watershed of God's redemptive history. The Jews had occupied a unique place as the custodians of God's history. But now God's world redemptive purpose had been made known. All believers are heirs of God's promise in Christ Jesus.

Application: Lord, help me to pray and work for your great world mission purpose, no matter what the cost.
One Word: A hidden mystery revealed