Ephesians 3

Paul, a prisoner for the Gentiles, reveals the profound mystery that Gentiles are now fellowheirs, part of the same body, and partakers of God's promise in Christ through the Gospel. He explains his divine commission to preach these "unsearchable riches" and make known God's wisdom through the Church. Paul then offers a fervent prayer for the Ephesians, asking that they be strengthened by the Spirit, rooted in love, and comprehend the immeasurable love of Christ, so they might be filled with all the fullness of God.

The Apostle Paul, identifying himself as a prisoner for the Gentiles, explains his stewardship of God's grace by which he received a revelation of a previously hidden mystery. This mystery is that Gentiles are now fellowheirs, members of the same body, and partakers of God's promise in Christ through the Gospel, a truth now revealed by the Spirit. Paul, despite his humility, was made a minister to preach the "unsearchable riches of Christ" to the Gentiles, thereby making known God's manifold wisdom through the Church to heavenly powers. He then transitions to a heartfelt prayer for the Ephesians, petitioning the Father that they be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in their inner being. He prays that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith, and that, being rooted and grounded in love, they may grasp the immense breadth, length, depth, and height of Christ's love. The ultimate goal is for them to know this love, which surpasses knowledge, so they might be filled with all the fullness of God, concluding with a powerful doxology.

Ephesians chapter three commences with Paul declaring himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ for the sake of the Gentiles, explaining his unique dispensation of God's grace. He clarifies that through divine revelation, he was made privy to a profound mystery, which was not disclosed to previous generations but is now unveiled by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. The essence of this mystery is that the Gentiles are now fellowheirs with Israel, members of the same spiritual body, and joint partakers of God's promise in Christ through the Gospel. Paul, despite considering himself "less than the least of all saints," was appointed a minister by God's grace and power to preach these "unsearchable riches of Christ" among the Gentiles. His mission also includes making clear to all the fellowship of this mystery, which had been hidden in God, the Creator, from the beginning of the world. The overarching purpose of this revelation and the church's role is to demonstrate God's manifold wisdom to the principalities and powers in heavenly places, aligning with His eternal purpose in Christ Jesus. Through Christ, believers are granted boldness and confident access to God by faith. Paul then encourages the Ephesians not to lose heart because of his tribulations, asserting that his suffering ultimately redounds to their glory. Following this, Paul transitions into a fervent prayer, bowing his knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom all families in heaven and earth derive their name. He petitions that, according to the vast riches of God's glory, they might be powerfully strengthened by His Spirit in their inner being. He prays that Christ may take up residence in their hearts through faith, and that, being firmly rooted and grounded in love, they might be enabled to comprehend the immeasurable dimensions—breadth, length, depth, and height—of Christ's love. The ultimate aim of this understanding is to know Christ's love, which transcends all human knowledge, so that they might be filled with all the fullness of God. The chapter concludes with a magnificent doxology, praising God who is capable of doing exceedingly abundantly above all that believers can ask or even imagine, according to His power at work within them, attributing glory to Him in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages.