Ephesians 3

Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles

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 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.

Prayer for Spiritual Strength and Love

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.

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Paul explains his unique calling as apostle to the Gentiles, revealing that God's eternal mystery—the inclusion of Gentiles as equal heirs with Jews in Christ—has now been made known through the gospel. He describes his ministry as a divine stewardship of grace, despite considering himself the least of all saints. The chapter concludes with Paul's profound prayer for the Ephesians' spiritual strengthening, that they might comprehend the immeasurable love of Christ and be filled with God's fullness.

Context

This chapter bridges Paul's theological exposition of salvation and unity in chapters 1-2 with his practical instructions for Christian living that begin in chapter 4.

Key Themes

Outline

1-7
Paul's Stewardship of the Mystery Paul identifies himself as prisoner for the Gentiles and explains how God revealed to him the mystery of Gentile inclusion in the gospel.
8-13
Ministry to Reveal God's Wisdom Paul describes his calling to preach Christ's unsearchable riches to the Gentiles and make known God's eternal purpose through the church.
14-19
Prayer for Spiritual Strength Paul prays that the Ephesians would be strengthened by the Spirit, rooted in love, and able to comprehend Christ's surpassing love.
20-21
Doxology of God's Power Paul concludes with praise to God who is able to do far beyond what we ask or imagine through His power working in us.

Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles

3:1–3:13

epistle instruction contemplative

Paul explains his calling as apostle to the Gentiles, revealing the mystery that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Jews in Christ. He describes his ministry as a gift of God's grace to proclaim Christ's unsearchable riches.

person_contrast

Paul uniquely combines "grace" and "revelation" language here, departing from his typical "grace and fellowship" pattern found in his other 87 epistolary appearances.

Prayer for Spiritual Strength and Love

3:14–3:21

epistle prayer tender

Paul prays for the Ephesians to be strengthened by God's Spirit and rooted in Christ's love, that they may comprehend its dimensions and be filled with God's fullness. He concludes with a doxology praising God's abundant power.

person_contrast

Paul's prayer uniquely combines "power" (dynamis) and "love" (agape) seven times in four verses, creating the New Testament's densest concentration of these paired concepts.

Insight Character Study

Paul uniquely combines "grace" and "revelation" language here, departing from his typical "grace and fellowship" pattern found in his other 87 epistolary appearances.

Insight Character Study

Paul's prayer uniquely combines "power" (dynamis) and "love" (agape) seven times in four verses, creating the New Testament's densest concentration of these paired concepts.