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Ephesians Chapter 3

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 21 Verses

What is Ephesians 3 about?

The riches of God's grace and the mystery of the church as Christ's body, culminating in the armor of God. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,--
2if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward;
3how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words,
4whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
5which in other generation 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,
7whereof 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.
8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;
10to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly [places] might be made known through 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 in confidence through our faith in him.
13Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.
14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,
15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;
17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto 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] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, &c.] Not actively, whom Christ had apprehended by his grace, and made a prisoner of hope; but passively, who was made a prisoner for Christ, on account of preaching Christ, and his Gospel: he was not a prisoner for any capital crime, as theft, murder, &c. and therefore be was not ashamed of his bonds, but rather glories in them; and a prison has often been the portion of the best of men in this world: from hence we learn, that this epistle was written when the apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and the consideration of this his condition serves much to confirm the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“HIS APOSTOLIC OFFICE TO MAKE KNOWN THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST REVEALED BY THE SPIRIT: PRAYER THAT BY THE SAME SPIRIT THEY MAY COMPREHEND THE VAST LOVE OF CHRIST: DOXOLOGY ENDING THIS DIVISION OF THE EPISTLE. (Eph. 3:1-21) of Jesus Christ--Greek, "Christ Jesus." The office is the prominent thought in the latter arrangement; the person, in the former. He here marks the Messiahship of "Christ," maintained by him as the origin of his being a "prisoner," owing to the jealousy of the Jews being roused at his preaching it to the Gentiles. His very bonds were profitable to ("for" or "in behalf of you") Gentiles (Eph 3:13; Ti2…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“For this cause - On account of preaching this doctrine; that is, the doctrine that the gospel was to be proclaimed to the Gentiles. I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ - A prisoner in the service of the Lord Jesus; or made a prisoner in his cause. Not a prisoner for crime or debt, or as a captive in war, but a captive in the service of the Redeemer. This proves that at the time of writing this, Paul was in bonds, and there can he no question that he was in Rome. This would be more correctly rendered, “For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner,” etc. So Tyndale renders it, “For this cause I, Paul, the servant of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“For this cause - That ye may be so "built together," I am a prisoner for you gentiles - For your advantage, and for asserting your right to these blessings. This it was which so enraged the Jews against him. Ephesians 3:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“3:1-13 Paul now describes his own role in God’s eternal plan: to proclaim God’s grace to the Gentiles. 3:1 When I think of all this: Paul has written about the amazing salvation that God’s grace has brought to undeserving sinners who are under his judgment, and about the incredible revelation that Gentiles can also be included in God’s new family, the people of God (chs 1–2). • a prisoner of Christ Jesus: Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned for his witness to Christ among the Gentiles.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“I: Co2 10:1; Gal 5:2 the: Eph 4:1, Eph 6:20; Luk 21:12; Act 21:33, Act 26:29, Act 28:17-20; Co2 11:23; Phi 1:7; Phi 1:13-16; Col 1:24, Col 4:3, Col 4:18; Ti2 1:8, Ti2 1:16, Ti2 2:9; Plm 1:1, Plm 1:9; Rev 2:10 for: Gal 5:11; Col 1:24; Th1 2:15, Th1 2:16; Ti2 2:10 Ephesians 3:2”
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