Ephesians 3
Ephesians 3 is part of “The Mystery Revealed—Paul's Ministry” (3:1–13) in the outline of Ephesians.
Ephesians 3 summary
This chapter consists of two parts. I. Of the account which Paul gives the Ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by God to be the apostle of the Gentiles (Eph 3:1-13). II.
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This chapter consists of two parts. I. Of the account which Paul gives the Ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by God to be the apostle of the Gentiles (Eph 3:1-13). II. Of his devout and affectionate prayer to God for the Ephesians (Eph 3:14-21). We may observe it to have been very much the practice of this apostle to intermix, with his instructions and counsels, intercessions and prayers to God for those to whom he wrote, as knowing that all his instructions and teachings would be useless and vain, except God did co-operate with them, and render them effectual. This is an example that all the ministers of Christ should copy after, praying earnestly that the efficacious operations of the divine Spirit may attend their ministrations, and crown them with success.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Ephesians 3
Ephesians 3 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
1For this cause, I Paul am the prisoner of Iesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2If ye haue heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is giuen me to you warde, 3That is, that God by reuelation hath shewed this mysterie vnto me (as I wrote aboue in fewe wordes, 4Whereby when ye reade, ye may knowe mine vnderstanding in the mysterie of Christ) 5Which in other ages was not opened vnto the sonnes of men, as it is nowe reueiled vnto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit, 6That the Gentiles should be inheriters also, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel, 7Whereof I am made a minister by the gift of the grace of God giuen vnto me through the effectuall working of his power. 8Euen vnto me the least of all Saints is this grace giuen, that I should preach among the Gentiles the vnsearchable riches of Christ, 9And to make cleare vnto all men what the fellowship of the mysterie is, which from the beginning of the world hath bene hid in God, who hath created all things by Iesus Christ, 10To the intent, that nowe vnto principalities and powers in heauenly places, might be knowen by the Church the manifolde wisedome of God, 11According to the eternall purpose, which he wrought in Christ Iesus our Lord: 12By whom we haue boldenes and entrance with confidence, by faith in him. 13Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for your sakes, which is your glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14For this cause I bowe my knees vnto the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, 15(Of whom is named the whole familie in heauen and in earth) 16That he might graunt you according to the riches of his glorie, that ye may be strengthened by his Spirit in the inner man, 17That Christ may dwell in your heartes by faith: 18That ye, being rooted and grounded in loue, may be able to comprehend with al Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: 19And to knowe the loue of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all fulnesse of God. 20Vnto him therefore that is able to do exceeding aboundantly aboue all that we aske or thinke, according to the power that worketh in vs, 21Be praise in the Church by Christ Iesus, throughout all generations for euer, Amen.