Ephesians Chapter 3 — The Mystery of Christ Revealed
Paul explains his calling to reveal the mystery that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Israel and prays for believers to be strengthened by Christ’s love.
1For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
2if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you,
3how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
4by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ,
5which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit,
6that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,
7of which I was made a servant according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
8To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9and to make all men see what is the administration*TR reads “fellowship” instead of “administration” of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ,
10to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,
11according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12In him we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.
13Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.
14For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person,
17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth,
19and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
21to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Ephesians 3:6
“that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,”
This verse explicitly defines the 'mystery' Paul discusses regarding the unity of all believers in Christ.
Ephesians 3:20
“Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”
A powerful doxology emphasizing God's infinite capacity to work within the believer's life.
Chapter Summary
In Ephesians 3, Paul identifies himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles. He describes the administration of God's grace and the revelation of a mystery previously hidden in history: that through the Gospel, Gentiles are fellow members of the body and partakers of the promise. Paul views himself as a servant tasked with preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ to all people. He explains that the purpose of the church is to make God's manifold wisdom known even to heavenly powers. In the second half of the chapter, Paul offers a profound prayer to the Father. He asks that believers would be strengthened with power in their inner selves through the Spirit so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. He prays that they might comprehend the immense width, length, height, and depth of Christ's love, which surpasses human knowledge. The chapter concludes with a famous doxology praising God’s ability to do far more than humans can imagine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paul defines the mystery as the revelation that Gentiles are now fellow heirs and members of the same body as Israel. This plan was hidden in previous generations but has now been revealed through the Spirit to the apostles and prophets.
Paul refers to himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus because of his ministry and commitment to the Gentiles. He encourages the Ephesians not to lose heart over his suffering, as he considers it to be for their glory.
Paul prays for believers to be strengthened with power in their inner being through the Holy Spirit. He specifically asks that Christ dwell in their hearts through faith and that they might understand the vast dimensions of Christ's love.
Study Note
The phrase 'principalities and powers' in verse 10 refers to the spiritual hierarchy in the heavenly realms, suggesting that the church's unity serves as a witness to the cosmic order.
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