Chapter 3
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
13Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
Overview
Paul reveals the mystery hidden from past ages but now made known: that the Gentiles are fellow heirs with Israel, of the same body and partakers of God's promise in Christ through the gospel. He describes his own calling as the least of all saints to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. He closes with a magnificent prayer that the Ephesians would be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man, rooted and grounded in love, and able to comprehend the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.
Key Themes
The Mystery Revealed
The great mystery now revealed is that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Jews, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise of Christ through the gospel.
Paul's Calling to the Gentiles
Though Paul considers himself less than the least of all saints, he was given the grace to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentile world.
Rooted and Grounded in Love
Paul prays for the Ephesians to be strengthened by the Spirit so they can comprehend the breadth, length, depth, and height of Christ's love, which surpasses all knowledge.
Study Questions
Why was the inclusion of the Gentiles called a 'mystery' (v. 3), and what does its revelation mean for the church?
How does Paul's description of himself as 'less than the least of all saints' (v. 8) model humility in ministry?
What does it mean to be 'rooted and grounded in love' (v. 17), and how is this practically cultivated?
How can we begin to comprehend a love that 'passeth knowledge' (v. 19)?
What does Paul's doxology — 'unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think' (v. 20) — reveal about God's power and generosity?
Connection to Christ
Paul proclaims the unsearchable riches of Christ and prays that believers would know the love of Christ that passes knowledge. Jesus is the one in whom the mystery is revealed, through whom Gentiles and Jews have access by one Spirit to the Father. Christ dwells in the hearts of believers by faith.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Ephesians 3. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?