New Testament
Ephesians 3
Overview
Paul begins to pray ("For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner...", 3:1) but breaks off to explain the 'mystery' entrusted to him, returning to the prayer only at 3:14. The mystery, hidden in past ages but now revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets, is that "the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (3:6). Paul marvels that to him, "the very least of all the saints," was given the grace to preach this and to bring to light God's eternal plan—a plan by which even "the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places" learn the manifold wisdom of God through the church (3:10). He urges them not to lose heart over his sufferings, which are for their glory. Then he resumes his prayer (3:14–19), bowing his knees before the Father, asking that they be strengthened by the Spirit in the inner being, that Christ dwell in their hearts through faith, and that they grasp the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ's love and be filled with all the fullness of God. The chapter—and the whole first half of the letter—closes with a soaring doxology to the God who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think (3:20–21).
1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
13Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.