Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles
3 For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of the Messiah[a] Jesus for the sake of you gentiles. 2 Surely you have heard about the responsibility of administering God’s grace that was given to me on your behalf, 3 and how this secret was made known to me through a revelation, just as I wrote about briefly in the past. 4 By reading this, you will be able to grasp my understanding of the secret about the Messiah,[b] 5 which in previous generations was not made known to human beings[c] as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s[d] holy apostles and prophets. This is that secret:[e] 6 The gentiles are heirs-in-common, members-in-common of the body, and common participants in what was promised[f] by the Messiah[g] Jesus through the gospel.
7 I have become a servant of this gospel[h] according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given so that I might proclaim to the gentiles the immeasurable wealth of the Messiah[i] 9 and help everyone see how this secret that has been at work was hidden for ages by God, who created all things. 10 He did this[j] so that now, through the church, the wisdom of God in all its variety might be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm 11 in keeping with the eternal purpose that God[k] carried out through the Messiah[l] Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through his faithfulness.[m] 13 So then, I ask you not to become discouraged because of my troubles on your behalf, which work toward your glory.
To Know the Messiah’s Love
14 This is the reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[n] 15 from whom every family[o] in heaven and on earth receives its name. 16 I pray[p] that he would give you, according to his glorious riches, strength in your inner being and power through his Spirit, 17 and that the Messiah[q] would make his home in your hearts through faith. Then, having been rooted and grounded in love, 18 you will be able to understand, along with all the saints, what is wide, long, high, and deep— 19 that is, you will know the love of the Messiah[r]— which transcends knowledge, and will be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to the one who can do infinitely more than all we can ask or imagine according to the power that is working among[s] us— 21 to him be glory in the church and in the Messiah[t] Jesus to all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 3:1 Or Christ
- Ephesians 3:4 Or Christ
- Ephesians 3:5 Lit. the sons of men
- Ephesians 3:5 Lit. his
- Ephesians 3:5 The Gk. lacks This is that secret:
- Ephesians 3:6 Lit. of the promise
- Ephesians 3:6 Or Christ
- Ephesians 3:7 Lit. of it
- Ephesians 3:8 Or Christ
- Ephesians 3:10 The Gk. lacks He did this
- Ephesians 3:11 Lit. he
- Ephesians 3:11 Or Christ
- Ephesians 3:12 Or through faith in him
- Ephesians 3:14 Or Christ; other mss. lack of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah
- Ephesians 3:15 Or all fatherhood
- Ephesians 3:16 The Gk. lacks I pray
- Ephesians 3:17 Or Christ
- Ephesians 3:19 Or Christ
- Ephesians 3:20 Or in
- Ephesians 3:21 Or Christ