MSB EPH Chapter 3

The Mystery of the Gospel

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles…[fn]

2 Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that [is], the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by [the] Spirit to [God’s] holy apostles and prophets. 6 [This mystery is that] through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of His[fn] promise in Christ.[fn]

7 I became a servant of [this gospel] by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power. 8 [Though I am] less than the least of all [the] saints, this grace was given me: to preach among the Gentiles[fn] the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship[fn] of [this] mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ.[fn] 10 [ His purpose was ] that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to [the] eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 In Him [and] through faith in Him[fn] we may enter [ God’s ] presence with boldness and confidence. 13 So I ask [you] not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians

14 … for this reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,[fn] 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 [I ask] that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in [your] inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. [Then] you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and depth and height[fn] 19 of the love of Christ, and to know [this love that] surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to [Him] who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to [His] power that [is] at work within us, 21 to Him [be] the glory in the church in[fn] Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever [and] ever. Amen.