THE "DISPENSATION OF GRACE"
Dispensational doctrine:
Dispensationalism seeks to address what many see as
opposing theologies between the Old Testament and New Testament. Its name comes from the fact that it sees biblical history as best understood in light of
a series of dispensations in the Bible. Most dispensationalists cite seven dispensations although this is not a critical or foundational factor to the theology:
the dispensation of innocence (Gen 1:1–3:7), prior to Adam's fall,
of conscience (Gen 3:8–8:22), Adam to Noah,
of government (Gen 9:1–11:32), Noah to Abraham,
of patriarchal rule (Gen 12:1–Exod 19:25), Abraham to Moses,
of the Mosaic Law (Exod 20:1–Acts 2:4), Moses to Christ,
of grace (Acts 2:4–Rev 20:3—except for Hyperdispensationalists and Ultradispensationalists), the current church age, and
of a literal, earthly 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom that has yet to come but soon will (Rev 20:4–20:6).
Dispensationalist theology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia < click
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THE "DISPENSATION OF GRACE"
Biblical reference/definition: EPHESIANS 3:2
New International Version
Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,
New Living Translation
assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles.
English Standard Version
assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
New American Standard Bible
if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you;
King James Bible
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
you have heard, haven't you, about the administration of God's grace that He gave to me for you?
International Standard Version
Surely you have heard about the responsibility of administering God's grace that was given to me on your behalf,
NET Bible
if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
If you have heard of the administration of the grace of God, which is given to me among you.
GOD'S WORD® Translation
Certainly, you have heard how God gave me the responsibility of bringing his kindness to you.
Jubilee Bible 2000
if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which has been given to me in you,
King James 2000 Bible
If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me toward you:
American King James Version
If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
American Standard Version
if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward;
Douay-Rheims Bible
If yet you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me towards you:
Darby Bible Translation
(if indeed ye have heard of the administration of the grace of God which has been given to me towards you,
English Revised Version
if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward;
Webster's Bible Translation
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me on your account.
Weymouth New Testament
if, that is, you have heard of the work which God has graciously entrusted to me for your benefit,
World English Bible
if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;
Young's Literal Translation
if, indeed, ye did hear of the dispensation of the grace of God that was given to me in regard to you,
oikonomia: stewardship, administration
Original Word: οἰκονομία, ας, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: oikonomia
Phonetic Spelling: (oy-kon-om-ee'-ah)
Short Definition: stewardship
Definition: management of household affairs, stewardship, administration.
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The dispensation - Greek "economy;" rendered "stewardship," Luke 16:2-4; and "dispensation," Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 3:2; Colossians 1:25; see the notes at Ephesians 1:10. It means here that
this arrangement was made that he should be the apostle to the Gentiles. In
the assignment of the different parts of the work of preaching the gospel, the office had been committed to him of making it known to the pagan.
Of the grace of God - In the arrangements of his grace.
Which is given me to you-ward - Toward you who are Gentiles. Not to the Ephesians particularly, but to the nations at large; see the notes at Galatians 2:7. - Barne's
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2. If—The Greek does not imply doubt: "Assuming (what I know to be the fact, namely) that ye have heard," &c. "If, as I presume," The indicative in the Greek shows that no doubt is implied: "Seeing that doubtless," &c. He by this phrase delicately reminds them of their having heard from himself, and probably from others subsequently, the fact. See [2364]Introduction, showing that these words do not disprove the address of this Epistle to the Ephesians. Compare Ac 20:17-24.
the dispensation—"
The office of dispensing, as a steward, the grace of God which was (not 'is') given me to you-ward," namely, to dispense to you. - JFBBC