“Dispensation” Is A Bible Word

A dispensation is not a man made label or a seminary invention. It is a Bible word found in the King James Bible and it carries a clear meaning when you let Scripture define Scripture. The word appears four times and each occurrence teaches something important about how God administers truth and responsibility.

See 1 Corinthians 9 verse 17. “A dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.”

See Ephesians 1 verse 10. “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”

See Ephesians 3 verse 2. “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you ward.”

See Colossians 1 verse 25. “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God.”

In every one of these verses the word points to a stewardship, an administration, or a God given arrangement in which certain truth and certain duties are placed into the hands of an appointed steward. In Luke 12 verse 42 the Lord speaks about a faithful and wise steward. In 1 Corinthians 4 verses 1 and 2 Paul says ministers are stewards of the mysteries of God and that it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. Those passages help you see that a dispensation is a stewardship. God gives a work to do, words to preach, and instructions to follow.

The Four Passages That Set The Definition

First, 1 Corinthians 9 verse 17 shows that a dispensation can be committed to a man. Paul did not take the gospel on himself. He received a stewardship from the Lord and was bound to preach what was committed to him. That is what a dispensation looks like in action. God entrusts, the steward delivers, and the content is not up for human revision.

Second, Ephesians 3 verse 2 names our present arrangement as “the dispensation of the grace of God” and says it was given to Paul for us. That nails two things. It is a real Bible term for our present time and it came by revelation to Paul as the Lord’s steward to the Gentiles. See Ephesians 3 verses 1 through 9 and Romans 11 verse 13.

Third, Colossians 1 verse 25 says this dispensation was given to Paul to fulfil the word of God. The Lord did not leave the Body of Christ to find its way by trial and error. He gave Paul the stewardship and gave words to complete what was needed for doctrine in this present time.

Fourth, Ephesians 1 verse 10 speaks of “the dispensation of the fulness of times.” That points to a future administration in which God gathers all in Christ. The lesson is simple. God has had and will have different administrations in His wise plan. The character of God never changes. His instructions to men can change by His authority and for His purpose.

What A Dispensation Is And Is Not

A dispensation is a God given administration and stewardship. It has revealed truth, stated terms, and appointed work. For us it is the revelation of the mystery, the gospel of the grace of God, our heavenly position in Christ, and the instruction to walk worthy of that calling. See Acts 20 verse 24, Ephesians 2 verses 4 through 10, Ephesians 3 verses 1 through 9, Colossians 2 verses 6 through 10.

A dispensation is not an excuse to deny Scripture. Right division believes every word and puts each passage where God put it. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. See 2 Timothy 2 verse 15.

A dispensation is not a denial of the finished crosswork of Christ. It is the framework that shows how the finished work is revealed and applied. The Body of Christ stands complete in Him now. See Colossians 2 verse 10. We preach the message God gave to Paul. Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day. See 1 Corinthians 15 verses 1 through 4. Salvation is by grace through faith without works. See Ephesians 2 verses 8 and 9.

Paul’s Unique Stewardship In This Present Dispensation

God made Paul the minister and steward for this time. He calls himself the apostle of the Gentiles. See Romans 11 verse 13. He says the dispensation of the grace of God was given to him for the saints. See Ephesians 3 verse 2. He says a dispensation of the gospel is committed to him. See 1 Corinthians 9 verse 17. He says the dispensation of God was given to him to fulfil the word of God. See Colossians 1 verse 25. He identifies what was revealed. The mystery hid from ages and generations, now made manifest. Christ in you the hope of glory. The one new man. The Body of Christ. The heavenly calling. See Ephesians 2 verses 13 through 22 and Colossians 1 verses 26 and 27.

This is why Paul writes that the things he wrote are the commandments of the Lord. See 1 Corinthians 14 verse 37. This is why Scripture is sufficient to furnish the man of God. See 2 Timothy 3 verses 16 and 17. Doctrine for the Body of Christ must be taken from Paul first, and other passages are received as true history and true prophecy as they agree with and are interpreted by Pauline truth. See 2 Peter 3 verses 15 and 16.

Common Objections Answered

Objection. The word dispensation sounds like a system that divides the Bible too much.

Answer. The Bible uses the word and commands us to rightly divide. Division in Scripture is not a human trick. It is obedience. It keeps law and grace distinct, Israel’s covenants and the Body’s mystery distinct, and earthly kingdom promises and heavenly position distinct. See 2 Timothy 2 verse 15, Galatians 2 verse 7, Ephesians 1 verses 3 and 10.

Objection. God never changes so His instructions never change.

Answer. God’s nature never changes. His administrations can change. He told Noah to build an ark. He did not tell you to build an ark. He told Israel to bring animal sacrifices under the law. He does not tell the Body of Christ to bring sacrifices. He told Paul to preach the gospel of the grace of God to all men without distinction. See Acts 20 verse 24 and Romans 6 verse 14.

Objection. There has only ever been one gospel.

Answer. There is one Savior and one cross. Scripture also speaks of distinct good news messages tied to different programs. Paul was entrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision while Peter had the gospel of the circumcision. See Galatians 2 verse 7. Today the saving message is the gospel of the grace of God defined in 1 Corinthians 15 verses 1 through 4.

Why This Matters For Assurance And Sound Practice

Understanding dispensation as a Bible word protects the clarity of the gospel and the comfort of the saints. You will not add water rites, temple ordinances, or covenant conditions from Israel’s program to the Body of Christ when you let Paul govern this present administration. You will rest in the finished crosswork and in the fact that you are complete in Christ. See Colossians 2 verses 10 through 14. You will also read the rest of the Bible with joy and profit because you will know where you are in God’s plan and how each passage edifies without confusion.

It also clarifies your walk. You are not under the law. You are under grace. See Romans 6 verse 14. You are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. See Ephesians 1 verse 3. You are seated with Christ and instructed to set your affection on things above. See Ephesians 2 verses 6 and 7 and Colossians 3 verses 1 through 4. You are to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery. See Ephesians 3 verse 9.