Chapter with Audio
3 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Chapter Analysis
Ephesians 3: The Mystery Of Christ Revealed
The Mystery Made Known By Revelation
📖 Ephesians 3:1–6
¹ For this reason, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles, writes concerning God’s grace. ² God had given Paul a stewardship of grace for the Gentiles. ³ By revelation, God made known to him the mystery, as he had already written briefly. ⁴ When they read this, they could understand Paul’s insight into the mystery of Christ. ⁵ This mystery was not made known to previous generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. ⁶ The mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ through the gospel.
🔹 The Truth
God revealed the mystery of Christ by the Spirit.
This mystery was not fully made known in previous generations.
Gentiles who believe the gospel are fellow heirs with believing Jews.
In Christ, Gentile believers are members of the same body and partakers of the promise.
🔹 The Promise
Through the gospel, believers from the Gentiles share in the promise of Christ.
✅ Conclusion
Ephesians 3 shows that God’s plan in Christ is greater than man expected. Gentile believers are not second-class outsiders; they are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of God’s promise in Christ.
Paul’s Ministry To Preach Christ
📖 Ephesians 3:7–13
⁷ Paul became a minister of this gospel according to the gift of God’s grace, given to him by the working of God’s power. ⁸ Though Paul considered himself the least of all the saints, grace was given to him to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. ⁹ He was called to make all see the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages had been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ God’s purpose was that His manifold wisdom might now be made known through the church to rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was according to His eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In Him we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. ¹³ Therefore, Paul asked them not to lose heart because of his sufferings for them, which were for their glory.
🔹 The Truth
Paul’s ministry was given by God’s grace and power.
The riches of Christ are unsearchable.
God’s wisdom is now being made known through the church.
God’s purpose was eternal and fulfilled in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In Christ, believers have boldness and confident access to God through faith.
🔹 The Promise
Believers have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Jesus Christ.
✅ Conclusion
Paul saw ministry as grace, not personal greatness. His calling was to preach the riches of Christ and make known God’s eternal purpose. Even his suffering served the glory of those who received the gospel.
Strengthened With Power Through The Spirit
📖 Ephesians 3:14–19
¹⁴ For this reason, Paul bowed his knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ From Him the whole family in heaven and earth is named. ¹⁶ Paul prayed that God would grant believers, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man. ¹⁷ He prayed that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith, and that they would be rooted and grounded in love. ¹⁸ He prayed that they would be able to comprehend with all the saints the width, length, depth, and height of Christ’s love. ¹⁹ He prayed that they would know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God.
🔹 The Truth
Believers need strength in the inner man through the Holy Spirit.
Christ dwells in the hearts of believers through faith.
Believers are to be rooted and grounded in love.
The love of Christ is greater than human knowledge can fully measure.
God desires His people to be filled with His fullness.
🔹 The Promise
God strengthens believers inwardly by His Spirit and roots them in the love of Christ.
✅ Conclusion
Paul’s prayer was not merely for outward success, but inward strength. Believers need the Spirit’s power, deeper faith, stronger love, and a growing understanding of the love of Christ.
Glory To God Who Is Able
📖 Ephesians 3:20–21
²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
🔹 The Truth
God is able to do far more than we ask or think.
His power is already at work in believers.
God receives glory in the church by Christ Jesus.
His glory continues through all generations forever.
🔹 The Promise
God is able to work beyond what believers can ask, imagine, or understand.
✅ Conclusion
Ephesians 3 ends with praise. The same God who revealed the mystery of Christ, gave bold access through Christ, and strengthens believers by His Spirit is able to do far more than we can ask or think.
Overall Conclusion
Ephesians 3 reveals the mystery of Christ: believing Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise through the gospel.
Paul was given grace to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ and make known God’s eternal purpose. He prayed that believers would be strengthened by the Spirit, rooted in love, and filled with the fullness of God.
This chapter moves from revelation, to ministry, to prayer, to worship.
Final Questions For You
- Why is it important that Gentile believers are fellow heirs and members of the same body in Christ?
- What does Paul’s prayer teach us about the kind of spiritual strength believers need?
- How does Ephesians 3:20–21 encourage you to trust God beyond what you can ask or think?