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Ephesians 3

Paul connects the Gentiles’ shared inheritance in Christ with God’s eternal purpose, then prays for believers to grasp Christ’s love.

Paul writes as a prisoner on behalf of Gentile believers, explaining the grace God gave him to preach Christ among them. He identifies the revealed mystery: Gentiles share in the same inheritance, body, and promise through the Good News. Through this assembly, God makes his wisdom known to the powers in heaven. Paul asks his readers not to lose heart over his troubles, then bows before the Father to pray for their strength and knowledge of Christ’s love.

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1For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
2if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you,
3how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
4by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ,
5which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit,
6that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,
7of which I was made a servant according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
8To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ,
10to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,
11according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12In him we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.
13Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.
14For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person,
17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth,
19and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
21to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Ephesians 3:8Paul describes his mission to the Gentiles as a gift of grace, pairing his own lowliness with Christ’s unsearchable riches.
Ephesians 3:16Paul asks the Father for strength through the Spirit in the inner person, grounding his prayer in God’s abundant glory.
Ephesians 3:20The closing praise locates the power behind Paul’s prayer in God, whose ability exceeds what believers can ask or imagine.
Where this chapter reaches

Romans and Colossians share the theme of God’s once-hidden purpose now revealed in Christ, including the Gentiles’ place in the Good News. Philippians and 2 Corinthians also connect Paul’s suffering and service with God’s power at work among believers.

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After reading the whole chapter

What stands out to you about God making his wisdom known through a people who share one inheritance?

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Which part of Paul’s prayer would you ask God to fulfill in your church, and why?

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Questions people ask about Ephesians 3

What is the mystery in Ephesians 3?

Verse 6 identifies the mystery as the Gentiles’ shared inheritance, membership in the same body, and participation in God’s promise in Christ through the Good News. Paul describes this purpose as hidden in God in past ages and now revealed by the Spirit to Christ’s apostles and prophets.

What does Ephesians 3:20 mean?

Verse 20 praises God’s ability to exceed everything believers ask or think, through his power at work in them. It follows Paul’s prayer for inward strength and knowledge of Christ’s love, and leads into praise for God’s glory in the assembly and Christ. It makes no promise that every desired outcome will occur.

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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).