以弗所書 3
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
外族人的福音使者
3 為此，我保羅為了把基督耶穌傳給你們外族人而作了囚犯。 2 相信你們已經聽說了，上帝委派我將祂的恩典傳給你們。 3 祂藉著啟示讓我明白福音的奧祕，正如我前面簡要提過的。 4 你們讀過之後，就能明白我對基督的奧祕有深刻的認識。 5 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。 6 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。
7 上帝運用大能賜給我恩典，叫我成為這福音的使者。 8 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， 9 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！
Ephesians 3
New Catholic Bible
Paul’s Commission To Preach the Mystery[a]
Chapter 3
The Mystery Made Known. 1 This is the reason why I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—[b] 2 For you surely must have heard of the mystery of God’s grace that was entrusted to me on your behalf, 3 and how the mystery was made known to me by a revelation, as I have briefly written. 4 Reading this, you will be able to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ.
5 It was not disclosed to human beings in previous generations, but now it has been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, 6 namely that the Gentiles have become coheirs, members of the same body, and sharers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Mission to the Gentiles. 7 I became its minister by God’s grace bestowed on me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ 9 and to enlighten all concerning the administration of the mystery that had been kept hidden throughout the ages in God, the creator of all things.
10 In this way, the wisdom of God in its infinite variety might be made known through the Church to the principalities and powers in the heavens. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have free access to God in boldness and confidence because of our faith in him. 13 Therefore, I beg you not to lose heart over my sufferings for you. Truly, they are your glory.
14 Prayer for a Deeper Faith. This is the reason why I kneel in prayer before the Father, 15 from whom every family[c] in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I ask that from the riches of his glory he may grant through his Spirit that you be strengthened with power in your inner being 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that, rooted and grounded in love, 18 you may have the power to comprehend with all the saints its breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and know Christ’s love even though it is beyond knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 To him who in all things is able
through the power
that is at work within us
to accomplish abundantly far more
than all we can ask or imagine,
21 to him be glory in the Church
and in Christ Jesus
through all generations,
forever and ever. Amen.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 3:1 No one could have foreseen the call and reconciliation of the Gentiles. It is now a fact in the fraternal life of communities and in the spread of the Gospel, announcing the joy of salvation to all peoples. It shows that the mystery of God is being revealed, for in Christ all human beings can now approach God. Since his conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul has had no other desire but to proclaim and manifest this mystery.
The Apostle finally completes the prayer that he started several times previously. He asks that God himself may enable believers to comprehend the inexpressible riches of the mystery. This is true not only for the initiated but also for all the “saints,” i.e., all those who have been baptized and called. - Ephesians 3:1 The sentence breaks off and is continued in v. 14.
- Ephesians 3:15 Every family: in this case, the family of the human race.
