Ephesians 3: Unveiling the Mystery and Experiencing God's Power
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Which 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;
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Unto 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;
And 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:
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
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,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians chapters 1-3 form the doctrinal foundation of Paul's letter, setting the stage for the practical instructions that follow in chapters 4-6. Chapter 3 serves as a crucial bridge, transitioning from a theological understanding of salvation, grace, and the power of Christ to a practical guide for Christian living. In this pivotal chapter, Paul reveals the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:1–13) and intercedes in prayer for the spiritual strength of the Ephesian church (Ephesians 3:14–21), culminating in a powerful doxology.
The Mystery Revealed: Gentiles as Co-heirs (Ephesians 3:1-13)
Paul begins by reminding the Ephesians of his current situation: he is "a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles" (Ephesians 3:1). This imprisonment, likely his first Roman imprisonment around AD 60-62, far from silencing him, became an opportunity to proclaim the Gospel and write letters that would become foundational texts for the church. Though confined, he was able to freely preach the gospel for two years, even reaching members of Caesar's household (Philippians 4:22). This period also saw the writing of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
Paul then subtly shifts gears, almost as if in parenthesis, recognizing the profound implications of the Gospel he is about to unpack. He acknowledges that the Ephesians are aware of his calling to minister to them (Ephesians 3:2). He emphasizes that the Gospel, previously revealed to him (Ephesians 3:3), contains a "mystery" (Ephesians 3:3-4) – a sacred secret now unveiled. This mystery, previously unknown (Ephesians 3:5), is that Gentiles are now "co-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (Ephesians 3:6).
This was a revolutionary concept. For centuries, a significant division existed between Jews and Gentiles. But in Christ, this barrier is broken down. Through the Gospel, both are brought into one body, reconciled to one another, and stand on equal footing before God. Skin color and ethnicity no longer matter; all believers share the same spiritual DNA, planted within them by the Spirit at their new birth. They share the same Father and sit at the same table.
Paul humbly acknowledges his role in this unfolding revelation. He describes himself as "a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power" (Ephesians 3:7). Though he considered himself "less than the least of all the saints" (Ephesians 3:8), God entrusted him with the incredible mission of proclaiming the "incalculable riches of Christ" to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:8). Paul, the former confident Pharisee (Philippians 3:4-6), now humbled by his encounter with Jesus, recognized the immensity of God's grace.
Furthermore, Paul was called "to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God" (Ephesians 3:9). This mystery, part of God's eternal plan (Ephesians 3:11), reveals God's multifaceted wisdom through the church to the "rulers and authorities in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 3:10). The church, therefore, becomes a prism, displaying the rich colors of God's manifold wisdom to the spiritual world. It's a microcosm of the kingdom, demonstrating heavenly values in earthly history. Through Christ, believers now have "boldness and confident access in faith" (Ephesians 3:12) to God. Therefore, Paul urges them not to be discouraged by his suffering, as it is ultimately "for your glory" (Ephesians 3:13).
Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Strength (Ephesians 3:14-21)
Having laid the foundation of the Gospel's mystery, Paul now turns to prayer, seeking God's empowering presence in the lives of the Ephesians. He kneels before the Father (Ephesians 3:14), from whom "every family in heaven and on earth derives its name" (Ephesians 3:15), returning to the theme of family. He prays that God, according to the riches of His glory, would grant them "to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being" (Ephesians 3:16). This internal strengthening by the Holy Spirit is paramount. It's not about external circumstances changing, but about an internal transformation, a recharging of our spiritual batteries.
Increased spiritual strength leads to increased spiritual intimacy. Paul prays that "Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (Ephesians 3:17). This isn't about initial salvation, but about Christ making Himself fully at home in the believer's life, having access to every area of their heart. He wants to clean and straighten out the messy closets we try to hide. Furthermore, he prays that they may be "rooted and established in love" (Ephesians 3:17), like a deeply rooted plant or a building with a solid foundation. This deep love for others enables them "to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:18-19).
Paul desires for them to comprehend the incomprehensible – the vastness of God's love in Jesus Christ. This understanding is not a solitary pursuit; it requires the fellowship of "all the saints" (Ephesians 3:18). Our individual experiences of God are limited; we need to learn from others to truly grasp His greatness. He wants them to experience the reality of Christ in their lives without limits. He prays for an increased spiritual capacity so they can be filled with all the fullness of God. God only gives us as much of Himself as we can handle.
Paul concludes his prayer with a powerful doxology, declaring that God "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20). God's power works in accordance with a believer's spiritual strength, intimacy, and capacity – everything Paul prays for. He is able to rescue, deliver, heal, and save completely. He is able to do above and beyond all that we can ask or think. This power manifests itself according to the power that works within us. Just as a fire hydrant, though small, can gush water with immense force because it's connected to a vast reservoir, so too can believers, when connected to Christ, overflow with God's power.
Finally, Paul ascribes glory "to him in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:21). The greatest manifestation of God's glory is through the church, highlighting the importance of active participation in a solid church family.
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Which 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;
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Unto 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;
And 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:
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
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,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians chapters 1-3 form the doctrinal foundation of Paul's letter, setting the stage for the practical instructions that follow in chapters 4-6. Chapter 3 serves as a crucial bridge, transitioning from a theological understanding of salvation, grace, and the power of Christ to a practical guide for Christian living. In this pivotal chapter, Paul reveals the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:1–13) and intercedes in prayer for the spiritual strength of the Ephesian church (Ephesians 3:14–21), culminating in a powerful doxology.
The Mystery Revealed: Gentiles as Co-heirs (Ephesians 3:1-13)
Paul begins by reminding the Ephesians of his current situation: he is "a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles" (Ephesians 3:1). This imprisonment, likely his first Roman imprisonment around AD 60-62, far from silencing him, became an opportunity to proclaim the Gospel and write letters that would become foundational texts for the church. Though confined, he was able to freely preach the gospel for two years, even reaching members of Caesar's household (Philippians 4:22). This period also saw the writing of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
Paul then subtly shifts gears, almost as if in parenthesis, recognizing the profound implications of the Gospel he is about to unpack. He acknowledges that the Ephesians are aware of his calling to minister to them (Ephesians 3:2). He emphasizes that the Gospel, previously revealed to him (Ephesians 3:3), contains a "mystery" (Ephesians 3:3-4) – a sacred secret now unveiled. This mystery, previously unknown (Ephesians 3:5), is that Gentiles are now "co-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (Ephesians 3:6).
This was a revolutionary concept. For centuries, a significant division existed between Jews and Gentiles. But in Christ, this barrier is broken down. Through the Gospel, both are brought into one body, reconciled to one another, and stand on equal footing before God. Skin color and ethnicity no longer matter; all believers share the same spiritual DNA, planted within them by the Spirit at their new birth. They share the same Father and sit at the same table.
Paul humbly acknowledges his role in this unfolding revelation. He describes himself as "a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power" (Ephesians 3:7). Though he considered himself "less than the least of all the saints" (Ephesians 3:8), God entrusted him with the incredible mission of proclaiming the "incalculable riches of Christ" to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:8). Paul, the former confident Pharisee (Philippians 3:4-6), now humbled by his encounter with Jesus, recognized the immensity of God's grace.
Furthermore, Paul was called "to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God" (Ephesians 3:9). This mystery, part of God's eternal plan (Ephesians 3:11), reveals God's multifaceted wisdom through the church to the "rulers and authorities in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 3:10). The church, therefore, becomes a prism, displaying the rich colors of God's manifold wisdom to the spiritual world. It's a microcosm of the kingdom, demonstrating heavenly values in earthly history. Through Christ, believers now have "boldness and confident access in faith" (Ephesians 3:12) to God. Therefore, Paul urges them not to be discouraged by his suffering, as it is ultimately "for your glory" (Ephesians 3:13).
Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Strength (Ephesians 3:14-21)
Having laid the foundation of the Gospel's mystery, Paul now turns to prayer, seeking God's empowering presence in the lives of the Ephesians. He kneels before the Father (Ephesians 3:14), from whom "every family in heaven and on earth derives its name" (Ephesians 3:15), returning to the theme of family. He prays that God, according to the riches of His glory, would grant them "to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being" (Ephesians 3:16). This internal strengthening by the Holy Spirit is paramount. It's not about external circumstances changing, but about an internal transformation, a recharging of our spiritual batteries.
Increased spiritual strength leads to increased spiritual intimacy. Paul prays that "Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (Ephesians 3:17). This isn't about initial salvation, but about Christ making Himself fully at home in the believer's life, having access to every area of their heart. He wants to clean and straighten out the messy closets we try to hide. Furthermore, he prays that they may be "rooted and established in love" (Ephesians 3:17), like a deeply rooted plant or a building with a solid foundation. This deep love for others enables them "to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:18-19).
Paul desires for them to comprehend the incomprehensible – the vastness of God's love in Jesus Christ. This understanding is not a solitary pursuit; it requires the fellowship of "all the saints" (Ephesians 3:18). Our individual experiences of God are limited; we need to learn from others to truly grasp His greatness. He wants them to experience the reality of Christ in their lives without limits. He prays for an increased spiritual capacity so they can be filled with all the fullness of God. God only gives us as much of Himself as we can handle.
Paul concludes his prayer with a powerful doxology, declaring that God "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20). God's power works in accordance with a believer's spiritual strength, intimacy, and capacity – everything Paul prays for. He is able to rescue, deliver, heal, and save completely. He is able to do above and beyond all that we can ask or think. This power manifests itself according to the power that works within us. Just as a fire hydrant, though small, can gush water with immense force because it's connected to a vast reservoir, so too can believers, when connected to Christ, overflow with God's power.
Finally, Paul ascribes glory "to him in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:21). The greatest manifestation of God's glory is through the church, highlighting the importance of active participation in a solid church family.