3 1 He declareth that therefore he suffered many things of the Jews, 3 because he preached the mystery touching the salvation of the Gentiles, 8 at God’s commandment. 13 After he desired the Ephesians not to faint for his afflictions. 14 And for this cause he prayeth unto God, 18 that they may understand the great love of Christ.
1 For [a]this cause, I Paul am the [b]prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to youward,
3 That is, that God by revelation hath showed this mystery unto me (as I wrote above in few words,
4 Whereby when ye read, ye may know mine understanding in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in [c]other ages was not opened unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit,
6 That the Gentiles should be inheritors also, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel,
7 Whereof I am made a minister by the gift of the grace of God given unto me through the effectual working of his power.
8 Even unto me the least of all Saints is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 And to make clear unto all men what the fellowship of the mystery is, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who hath created all things by Jesus Christ,
10 [d]To the intent, that now unto principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the Church the [e]manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the [f]eternal purpose, which he wrought in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 By whom we have boldness and entrance with confidence, by faith in him.
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for your sakes, which is your glory.
14 [g]For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 (Of whom is named the whole [h]family in heaven and in earth)
16 That he might grant you according to the [i]riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened by his Spirit in the [j]inner man,
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith:
18 That ye, being rooted and grounded in [k]love, may be able to comprehend with all Saints, [l]what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height:
19 And to know the [m]love of Christ, which [n]passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all [o]fullness of God.
20 [p]Unto him therefore that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Be praise in the Church by Christ Jesus, throughout all generations forever, Amen.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 3:1 He maintaineth his Apostleship against the offense of the cross, whereon also he taketh an argument to confirm himself, affirming that he was not only appointed an Apostle by the mercy of God, but was also particularly appointed to the Gentiles, to call them on every side to salvation: because God had so determined it from the beginning, although he deferred a great while the manifestation of that his counsel.
- Ephesians 3:1 These words, The prisoner of Jesus Christ, are taken passively, that is to say I Paul am cast into prison for maintaining the glory of Christ.
- Ephesians 3:5 He meaneth not that none knew the calling of the Gentiles before, but because very few knew of it, and they that did know it, as the Prophets, had it revealed unto them very darkly, and under figures.
- Ephesians 3:10 The unlooked for calling of the Gentiles, was as it were a glass to the heavenly Angels, wherin they might behold the marvellous wisdom of God.
- Ephesians 3:10 God never had but one way only, to save men by: but it had divers fashions and forms.
- Ephesians 3:11 Which was before all beginnings.
- Ephesians 3:14 He teacheth by his own example, that the efficacy of the doctrine dependeth upon the grace of God, and therefore we ought to join prayers with the preaching and hearing of the word: which are needful not only to them which are younglings in religion, but even to the oldest also, that they growing up more and more by faith in Christ, being confirmed with all spiritual gifts, may be grounded and rooted in the knowledge of that immeasurable love, wherewith God the Father hath loved us in Christ, seeing that the whole family, whereof part is already received into heaven, and part is yet here on earth, dependeth upon that adoption of the heavenly Father, in his only Son.
- Ephesians 3:15 All that whole people which hath but one household Father, and that is the Church which is adopted in Christ.
- Ephesians 3:16 According to the greatness of his mercy.
- Ephesians 3:16 See Rom. 7:22.
- Ephesians 3:18 Wherewith God loveth us, which is the root of our election.
- Ephesians 3:18 How perfect that work of Christ is in every part.
- Ephesians 3:19 Which God hath showeth us in Christ.
- Ephesians 3:19 Which passeth all the capacity of man’s wit, to comprehend it fully in his mind: for otherwise who so hath the Spirit of God, perceiveth so much (according to the measure that God hath given him) as is sufficient to salvation.
- Ephesians 3:19 So that we have abundantly in us, whatsoever things are required to make us perfect with God.
- Ephesians 3:20 He breaketh forth into a thanksgiving, whereby the Ephesians also may be confirmed to hope for anything of God.