Ephesianschapter 3

21 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 426 cross-references outward and receives 563 — heaviest partner: Ephesians.

Chapter summary

Paul the prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles — the mystery, hid from ages, now revealed: Gentiles fellow-heirs of the same body. Less than the least of all saints, yet entrusted with the unsearchable riches of Christ. Paul bows his knees unto the Father, that they may be strengthened by the Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith, that they may be able to comprehend the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge. JFB reads the prayer as the apostolic high point of Ephesians.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Epistle · Paul — see the Ephesians overview for the book's full setting.

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,—

2 if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward;

3 how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words,

4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;

5 which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

6 to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

7 whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;