1 This is why, I, Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ for the sake of you foreigners, 2 (well, I'm assuming you've heard that God gave me the specific responsibility of sharing God's grace with you), 3 how, by what God showed me, made clear the mystery that was previously hidden. I wrote to you briefly before about this, 4 and when you read this you'll be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. 5 In past generations this wasn't made clear to anyone, but now it's been revealed to God's holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit 6 that foreigners are joint heirs, part of the same body, and in Christ Jesus share together in the promise through the good news. 7 I became a minister of this good news through the gift of God's grace that I was given by his power that was at work in me. 8 This grace was given to me, the least important of all Christians, in order to share with the foreigners the incredible value of Christ, 9 and to help everyone see the purpose of the mystery which from the very beginning was hidden in God who made everything. 10 God's plan was that through the church the various aspects of his wisdom would be revealed to the rulers and authorities in heaven. 11 This was in accordance with God's eternal purpose that he carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Because of him and our trust in him we can come to God in total freedom and confidence. 13 So I'm asking that you don't get discouraged that I'm suffering—it's for you and you should value that! 14 This is why I kneel before the Father 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its nature and character, 16 asking him that out of his wealth of glory he may strengthen you in your innermost being with power through his Spirit. 17 May Christ live in you as you trust in him, so that as you are planted deep in love, 18 you may have the power to comprehend with all God's people the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love. 19 May you know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you're made full and complete by the fullness of God. 20 Now may he who—through his power working in us—can do infinitely more than we ever ask for or even think about, 21 may he be glorified in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations for ever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians · Free Bible Version
Ephesians 3 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Cross references (21)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Colossians 1:24; 2 Timothy 1:8; Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 6:20; Philippians 1:13–16
- 2 1 Timothy 1:11; Colossians 1:25–27; Galatians 1:15–16; Romans 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:11
- 3 Galatians 1:12; Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:9–11; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26–27
- 4 Colossians 4:3; 2 Corinthians 11:6; 1 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Corinthians 2:6–7; Colossians 2:2
- 5 1 Peter 1:10–12; 2 Peter 3:2; Jude 17; Titus 1:1–3; Ephesians 2:20
- 6 Galatians 3:26–29; Galatians 3:14; Romans 8:15–17; 1 John 1:3; 1 John 2:25
- 7 Ephesians 1:19; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 3:2; Ephesians 3:20; Hebrews 13:21
- 8 1 Corinthians 15:9; Colossians 1:27; 1 Timothy 1:13; Ephesians 3:16; Ephesians 2:7
- 9 Colossians 1:26; Matthew 13:35; 2 Timothy 1:9; Colossians 3:3; Hebrews 3:3–4
- 10 1 Peter 1:12; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Romans 11:33; Ephesians 1:3
- 11 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 1:4; Romans 9:11; Isaiah 46:10–11
- 12 Ephesians 2:18; Romans 5:2; Hebrews 4:14–16; Hebrews 10:19–22; John 14:6
- 13 2 Thessalonians 3:13; Colossians 1:24; Isaiah 40:30–31; 2 Corinthians 1:6; Philippians 1:12–14
- 14 Ephesians 1:16–19; Psalm 95:6; Philippians 2:10; Acts 21:5; Ephesians 1:3
- 15 Ephesians 1:10; Revelation 5:8–14; Ephesians 1:21; Revelation 2:17; Jeremiah 33:16
- 16 Colossians 1:11; Philippians 4:13; Isaiah 40:29–31; Isaiah 41:10; Zechariah 10:12
- 17 Colossians 2:7; John 14:23; 1 John 4:16; Galatians 2:20; Romans 5:5
- 18 Psalm 103:11–12; Job 11:7–9; Ephesians 1:18–23; John 15:13; Ephesians 3:19
- 19 Ephesians 1:23; Colossians 2:9–10; Colossians 1:10; 1 John 4:9–14; 2 Corinthians 5:14
- 20 2 Corinthians 9:8; Romans 4:21; Jeremiah 32:27; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Jude 24
- 21 Jude 25; Romans 11:36; 2 Peter 3:18; Revelation 7:12–17; 1 Peter 5:11
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
We relate how it came to pass,--she leapeth for joy, and triumpheth, and blesseth Thee, who art "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think; for she perceived Thee to have given her more for me than she used to ask by her pitiful and most doleful groanings.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
… we also say like the Apostle, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and God of all consolation: and, We bow our knees unto the Father from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth is named: glorifying Him with the Only-begotten: for he that denieth the Father, denieth the Son …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
… Ghost, which is given unto us;" and where, "concerning spiritual gifts," he teacheth and showeth unto us a more excellent way of charity; and where he bows his knees unto Thee for us, that we may know the super-eminent knowledge of the love of Christ. And, therefore, from the beginning was He super-eminently "borne above the waters." To whom shall …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
… says, For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you; and again Paul saith, For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, and the rest;...that He would grant you to be strengthened by His Spirit.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
Now this is a meek and lowly herb, and yet nothing is stronger and more penetrating than its roots; that being rooted and grounded in love, we may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, --that is, to comprehend the cross of our Lord, the breadth of which is indicated …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)