John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. Whereof I was made a minister , &c.] That is, of the Gospel, not by men, but by God: and he is a true minister of the Gospel who is called of God to the work of the ministry, and is qualified by him with grace and gifts for it; and who faithfully discharges it according to the ability God has given; and such an one was the apostle: according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me ; not according to his natural capacity, his liberal education, or acquired learning; but according to a gift, a ministerial gift bestowed upon him, for such service: for this gift of grace does not design the grace of God wrought in his soul; nor the doctrines of grace, the subject of the Gospel ministry; nor the efficacious grace of God, which makes that successful and useful to the souls of men; but a gift of interpreting the Scriptures, and of explaining the truths of the Gospel to the edification of men; and which is a distinct thing from natural abilities, human learning, or internal grace; for there may be all these, and yet a man not fit to be a minister of the Gospel; what qualifies men for that is the above gift, which God, of his sovereign good will and pleasure, gives to some of the sons of men: by the effectual working of his power ; the power of God is seen in working grace in the hearts of men, thereby making them believers in Christ; and it is also displayed in the gifts of the Spirit bestowed on men, which is called a being endued with a power from on high; thereby making men, and not angels, and these oftentimes the meanest and weakest, ministers of Christ; and likewise in assisting them in their work, and in carrying them through it, and in making them successful in it, to the conversion of sinners, and the edification of saints.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - For having preached the doctrine of truth, the apostle was a prisoner but a prisoner of Jesus Christ; the object of special protection an care, while thus suffering for him. All the gracious offers of the gospel, and the joyful tidings it contains, come from the rich grace of God; it is the great means by which the Spirit works grace in the soul of men. The mystery, is that secret, hidden purpose of salvatio through Christ. This was not so fully and clearly shown in the age before Christ, as unto the prophets of the New Testament. This was the great truth made known to the apostle, that God would call the Gentile to salvation by faith in Christ. An effectual working of Divine powe attends the gifts of Divine grace. As God appointed Paul to the office so he qualified him for it.
Greek Textus Receptus
ου 3739 R-GSN εγενομην 1096 5633 V-2ADI-1S διακονος 1249 N-NSM κατα 2596 PREP την 3588 T-ASF δωρεαν 1431 N-ASF της 3588 T-GSF χαριτος 5485 N-GSF του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM την 3588 T-ASF δοθεισαν 1325 5685 V-APP-ASF μοι 3427 P-1DS κατα 2596 PREP την 3588 T-ASF ενεργειαν 1753 N-ASF της 3588 T-GSF δυναμεως 1411 N-GSF αυτου 846 P-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Gift of the grace. The gift in which the grace of God consisted, the apostleship to the Gentiles.By the effectual working of His power (kata thn energeian thv dunamewv autou). Rev., better, according to the working, etc. The gift was bestowed in accordance with that efficiency which could transform Saul the persecutor into Paul the apostle to the Gentiles.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:7 For this verse see #Col 1:25; Eph 1:19f.; 3:2.
