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Ephesians 3:7

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Ephesians 3:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Ephesians 3:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Ephesians 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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,
← Ephesians 3:6Ephesians 3:8 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whereof I was made a minister, &c.] That is, of the Gospel, not by men, but by God: and he is a true minister of the Gospel who is called of God to the work of the ministry, and is qualified by him with grace and gifts for it; and who faithfully discharges it according to the ability God has given; and such an one was the apostle: according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me; not according to his natural capacity, his liberal education, or acquired learning; but according to a gift, a ministerial gift bestowed upon him, for such service: for this gift of grace does not design the grace of God wrought in his soul; nor the doctrines of grace, the subject of the Gospel ministry; nor…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whereof--"of which" Gospel. according to--in consequence of, and in accordance with, "the gift of the grace of God." given--"which (gift of grace) was given to me by (Greek, 'according to,' as in Eph 3:20; Eph 1:19 : as the result of, and in proportion to) the effectual working (Greek, 'energy,' or 'in-working') of His power."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whereof I was made a minister - see the notes at Ephesians 3:2. According to the gift of the grace of God - It was not by my own seeking or merit; it was a free gift. Of the grace of God - The sentiment is, that throughout it was a mere matter of grace that he was called into the ministry, and that so important an office was entrusted to him as that of bearing the gospel to the Gentiles. By the effectual working of his power - Not by any native inclination which I had to the gospel, and not by any power which I have put forth. It is by “the energy of his power;” compare notes, Galatians 2:8. Locke understands this of the energy or power which God put forth in converting the Gentiles under…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“According to the gift of the grace of God - That is, the apostle - ship which he hath graciously given me, and which he hath qualified me for. By the effectual working of his power - In me and by me. Ephesians 3:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:7 grace: See study note on 1:2. • serving him: Paul speaks of himself as a servant of the Good News (see also Col 1:23), of God (1 Cor 3:5; 2 Cor 6:4), of Christ (2 Cor 11:23), of the church (Col 1:25), and of the new covenant (2 Cor 3:6).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I: Eph 3:2; Rom 15:16; Co2 3:6, Co2 4:1; Col 1:23-25 according: Eph 3:8; Rom 1:5; Co1 15:10; Ti1 1:14, Ti1 1:15 by: Eph 3:20, Eph 1:19, Eph 4:16; Isa 43:13; Rom 15:18, Rom 15:19; Co2 10:4, Co2 10:5; Gal 2:8; Col 1:29; Th1 2:13; Heb 13:21 Ephesians 3:8”
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Related study paths

Read Ephesians 3 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification