外族人的福音使者

為此,我保羅為了把基督耶穌傳給你們外族人而作了囚犯。 相信你們已經聽說了,上帝委派我將祂的恩典傳給你們。 祂藉著啟示讓我明白福音的奧祕,正如我前面簡要提過的。 你們讀過之後,就能明白我對基督的奧祕有深刻的認識。 自古以來,上帝沒有讓人知道這奧祕,如今祂藉著聖靈將這奧祕啟示給祂的聖使徒和先知。 這奧祕就是外族人能夠在基督耶穌裡藉著福音與以色列人同作後嗣,同為一體,同享應許。

上帝運用大能賜給我恩典,叫我成為這福音的使者。 我本來比最卑微的聖徒還卑微,卻蒙上帝賜我這恩典,讓我把基督那測不透的豐富傳給外族人, 讓全人類都明白世代隱藏在創造萬物的上帝裡面的奧祕, 10 目的是為了透過教會讓天上的執政者和掌權者現在可以看出上帝豐富的智慧。 11 這是上帝萬世以前在我們主基督耶穌裡定好的計劃。 12 我們靠著基督、藉著信祂可以坦然無懼、毫無疑慮地來到上帝面前。 13 所以,我請求各位不要因我為你們受苦而沮喪,這其實是你們的榮耀。

基督的愛

14-15 為此,我跪在天地萬物的本源——天父面前, 16 祈求祂按照自己豐富的榮耀,藉著祂的靈,以大能使你們內在的生命剛強起來, 17 使基督藉著你們的信心住在你們心裡,使你們在愛中扎根、堅立, 18 以便能夠與眾聖徒一同領悟基督的愛是多麼長闊高深, 19 並知道基督的愛是遠超過人所能理解的愛,好叫上帝無限的豐富充滿你們。

20 上帝的能力運行在我們裡面,能夠豐豐富富地成就一切,超過我們所求所想的。 21 願祂在教會中,在基督耶穌裡得到榮耀,直到世世代代,永永遠遠。阿們!

保罗向外族人传教

因此,我,保罗为了你们非犹太人,成为耶稣基督的囚徒。 你们肯定知道,上帝通过他的恩典,赐给了我帮助你们的这项工作。 上帝通过启示,让我获悉了他的秘密计划,正如我已简要地写给你们的那样。 如果你们读了,你们就会懂得我对基督秘密真理的见解。 这个奥秘以往没有向人类披露过。而现在,上帝通过圣灵把它启示给了他的圣使和先知。 这个奥秘是:通过福音,非犹太人和犹太人成为共同的继承人。他们是同一个身体的组成部分,共同分享着上帝在耶稣基督里许下的诺言。

由于上帝的恩赐,我成了一名传播福音的仆人,这恩赐是上帝运用他的力量赐给我的。 虽然我在上帝的子民里最微不足道,但是却蒙恩向外族人传播基督那丰富的、不可捉摸的福音, 让全人类都清楚上帝的秘密计划,自古以来,万物的创造者上帝就把这秘密隐藏起来, 10 以便现在通过教会 [a],让天界的统治者和权势者明白他的多重智慧。 11 这和上帝的永恒目的是一致的,他已在耶稣基督我们的主之中实现了它。 12 在基督中,凭借对他的信仰,我们坦然无畏地来到上帝的面前。 13 因此我请求你们,不要因为我为你们遭受苦难而沮丧,我的苦难会给你们带来荣誉。

基督之爱

14 因此,我在父面前下拜祈祷。 15 无论是天上地下,所有的家庭都从他那里领受到它的名。 16 我请求父用他的伟大荣耀通过圣灵赐给你们力量,让你们内心得以坚强。 17 我祈祷,通过信仰,基督会活在你们心里,并使你们的根基深植于爱中, 18 以便让你们和上帝的所有圣民都有能力去理解基督之爱的博大精深。 19 基督的爱比任何人所能知道的都要伟大。但是,我祈祷你们能够知道那种爱,这样,你们才能彻底被上帝的丰富所充满。

20 上帝运用工作在我们之中的力量,能够成就远超过我们所求和所想的事情。 21 愿在教会和耶稣基督之中的荣耀世世代代、永远永远属于他,阿们。

Footnotes

  1. 以 弗 所 書 3:10 教会: 上帝的教会—在基督之中他的子民。

Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles

For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner(A) of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— you have heard, haven’t you, about the administration of God’s grace that He gave to me for you? The mystery was made known to me by revelation,(B) as I have briefly written above. By reading this you are able to understand my insight about the mystery of the Messiah.(C) This was not made known to people[a] in other generations as it is now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets(D) by the Spirit: The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners of the promise(E) in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of His power.(F)

This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches(G) of the Messiah, and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created(H) all things. 10 This is so God’s multi-faceted wisdom(I) may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens.(J) 11 This is according to His eternal purpose(K) accomplished in the Messiah, Jesus our Lord. 12 In Him we have boldness and confident access(L) through faith in Him.[b] 13 So then I ask you not to be discouraged(M) over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.(N)

Prayer for Spiritual Power

14 For this reason I kneel(O) before the Father[c] 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 16 I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches(P) of His glory,(Q) to be strengthened with power(R) in the inner man(S) through His Spirit, 17 and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love,(T) 19 and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able(U) to do above and beyond all that we ask or think(V) according to the power(W) that works in us— 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.(X)

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 3:5 Lit to the sons of men
  2. Ephesians 3:12 Or through His faithfulness
  3. Ephesians 3:14 Other mss add of our Lord Jesus Christ