The Epistles · Chapter 3 of 6
Ephesians 3
Paul describes the mystery entrusted to him: that Gentiles are now fellow heirs with Israel, members of the same body, sharers in the promise through the gospel. Though he counts himself the least of the saints, he was given grace to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. He then prays that his readers would be strengthened within, know the boundless love of Christ, and be filled with the fullness of God.
What happens in Ephesians 3
Paul, a prisoner for the sake of the Gentiles, speaks of the stewardship of grace given to him. God revealed to him a mystery hidden in former ages but now made known by the Spirit: that Gentiles are fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of God's promise in Christ through the gospel. Paul marvels that he, less than the least of all saints, was entrusted to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, so that through the church God's manifold wisdom might be displayed even to the powers in heavenly places.
Then he bows his knees before the Father and prays that they would be strengthened by the Spirit in the inner being, that Christ would dwell in their hearts by faith, and that they would comprehend the vast dimensions of Christ's love and be filled with the fullness of God. He closes with a doxology to the God who can do far more than we ask or think.
Ephesians 3 in context
In this chapter of Ephesians, written from prison, Paul pauses his exposition to explain his own calling as apostle to the Gentiles and the mystery at the heart of his ministry. The great revelation is that Jew and Gentile are now united in one body through Christ, a truth once concealed and now proclaimed.
The chapter moves from this mystery into one of Paul's most tender and expansive prayers for the inner life of believers.
Main themes of Ephesians 3
Ephesians 3 (KJV)
1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5Which 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; 6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8Unto 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; 9And 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: 10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Verses to carry from Ephesians 3
“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;”Ephesians 3:8
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”Ephesians 3:17
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”Ephesians 3:19
Thematic connection
How Ephesians 3 points to Jesus
Christ is the treasure and center of this chapter. The mystery Paul proclaims is that Gentiles become partakers of God's promise in Christ through the gospel, joined into one body with Israel. Paul describes his life's work as preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ, wealth so vast it cannot be traced out. God's eternal purpose was accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom believers have boldness and access to God with confidence.
The prayer that follows asks that Christ would dwell in the hearts of believers by faith and that they would know his love, a love that surpasses knowledge. To be filled with the fullness of God is bound up with grasping how far the love of Christ reaches. Christ is both the content of Paul's preaching and the object of his prayer.
Questions about Ephesians 3
What is the mystery Paul says was hidden and now revealed?
Paul defines it plainly: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and sharers together in God's promise in Christ through the gospel. In past ages this full inclusion of the nations on equal footing with Israel was not made known. Now, through the apostles and prophets, God has revealed that in Christ the dividing lines are gone and one new people is formed.
How can we know a love that surpasses knowledge?
Paul prays that believers would comprehend the breadth, length, depth, and height of Christ's love and know a love that passes knowledge. He is not contradicting himself but pointing beyond mere information to experience. Strengthened by the Spirit and rooted in love, believers come to know Christ's love personally and deeply, in a way that exceeds what the mind alone can measure or contain.
Reflection
Paul kneels and asks for you what you might never think to ask for yourself: inner strength, the indwelling presence of Christ, and a real grasp of a love beyond measuring. Let this chapter enlarge your prayers. God is able to do far more than you ask or imagine, so ask, and rest in his boundless love.
A prayer from Ephesians 3
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