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Ephesians 3
American Standard Version
Ephesians 3
American Standard Version
3 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,— 2 if so be that ye have heard of the [a]dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; 3 how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, 4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; 5 which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the [b]gospel, 7 whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to [c]preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 and to [d]make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things; 10 to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 according to the [e]eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through [f]our faith in him. 13 Wherefore I ask that [g]ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which [h]are your glory.
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 15 from whom every [i]family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto [j]all generations for ever and ever. Amen.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 3:2 Or, stewardship
- Ephesians 3:6 Greek good tidings. See Mt. 4:23 margin.
- Ephesians 3:8 Greek bring good tidings of the etc. Compare 2:17.
- Ephesians 3:9 Some ancient authorities read bring to light what is.
- Ephesians 3:11 Greek purpose of the ages.
- Ephesians 3:12 Or, the faith of him
- Ephesians 3:13 Or, I
- Ephesians 3:13 Or, is
- Ephesians 3:15 Greek fatherhood.
- Ephesians 3:21 Greek all the generations of the age of the ages.
Ephesians 3
New International Version
Ephesians 3
New International Version
God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles
3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner(A) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me(B) for you, 3 that is, the mystery(C) made known to me by revelation,(D) as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight(E) into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.(F) 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs(G) together with Israel, members together of one body,(H) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.(I)
7 I became a servant of this gospel(J) by the gift of God’s grace given me(K) through the working of his power.(L) 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,(M) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles(N) the boundless riches of Christ,(O) 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,(P) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God(Q) should be made known(R) to the rulers and authorities(S) in the heavenly realms,(T) 11 according to his eternal purpose(U) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God(V) with freedom and confidence.(W) 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel(X) before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches(Y) he may strengthen you with power(Z) through his Spirit in your inner being,(AA) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts(AB) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted(AC) and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,(AD) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep(AE) is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge(AF)—that you may be filled(AG) to the measure of all the fullness of God.(AH)
20 Now to him who is able(AI) to do immeasurably more than all we ask(AJ) or imagine, according to his power(AK) that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.(AL)
Footnotes
- Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).
Ephesians 3
Lexham English Bible
Ephesians 3
Lexham English Bible
The Mystery of Christ Revealed
3 On account of this I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles 2 —if indeed you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace given to me for you. 3 According to[a] revelation the mystery was made known to me, just as I wrote beforehand in brief, 4 so that you may be able when you read[b] to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ 5 (which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit): 6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow sharers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I became a servant, according to the gift of God’s grace given to me, according to the working of his power.
8 To me, the least of all the saints, was given this grace: to proclaim the good news of the fathomless riches of Christ to the Gentiles, 9 and to enlighten everyone as to what is the administration of the mystery hidden from the ages by God, who created all things, 10 in order that the many-sided wisdom of God might be made known now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places through the church, 11 according to the purpose of the ages which he carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through faith in him.[c] 13 Therefore I ask you[d] not to be discouraged at my afflictions on behalf of you, which are your glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14 On account of this, I bend my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every[e] family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that he may grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (you having been firmly rooted and established in love), 18 in order that you may be strong enough to grasp together with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to the one who is able to do beyond all measure more than all that we ask or think, according to the power that is at work in us, 21 to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 3:3 Some manuscripts have “given to me for you, that according to”
- Ephesians 3:4 Or “by reading”
- Ephesians 3:12 Or “through his i.e., Christ’s faithfulness”
- Ephesians 3:13 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Ephesians 3:15 Or “the whole”
Ephesians 3
Darby Translation
Ephesians 3
Darby Translation
3 For this reason *I* Paul, prisoner of the Christ Jesus for you nations,
2 (if indeed ye have heard of the administration of the grace of God which has been given to me towards you,
3 that by revelation the mystery has been made known to me, (according as I have written before briefly,
4 by which, in reading it, ye can understand my intelligence in the mystery of the Christ,)
5 which in other generations has not been made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in [the power of the] Spirit,
6 that [they who are of] the nations should be joint heirs, and a joint body, and joint partakers of [his] promise in Christ Jesus by the glad tidings;
7 of which I am become minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me, according to the working of his power.
8 To me, less than the least of all saints, has this grace been given, to announce among the nations the glad tidings of the unsearchable riches of the Christ,
9 and to enlighten all [with the knowledge of] what is the administration of the mystery hidden throughout the ages in God, who has created all things,
10 in order that now to the principalities and authorities in the heavenlies might be made known through the assembly the all-various wisdom of God,
11 according to [the] purpose of the ages, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence by the faith of him.
13 Wherefore I beseech [you] not to faint through my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ],
15 of whom every family in [the] heavens and on earth is named,
16 in order that he may give you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 that the Christ may dwell, through faith, in your hearts, being rooted and founded in love,
18 in order that ye may be fully able to apprehend with all the saints what [is] the breadth and length and depth and height;
19 and to know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge; that ye may be filled [even] to all the fulness of God.
20 But to him that is able to do far exceedingly above all which we ask or think, according to the power which works in us,
21 to him be glory in the assembly in Christ Jesus unto all generations of the age of ages. Amen).
Ephesians 3
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Ephesians 3
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles
3 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner(A) of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 you have heard, haven’t you, about the administration of God’s grace that He gave to me for you? 3 The mystery was made known to me by revelation,(B) as I have briefly written above. 4 By reading this you are able to understand my insight about the mystery of the Messiah.(C) 5 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: 6 The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners of the promise(E) in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 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)
8 This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches(G) of the Messiah, 9 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
- Ephesians 3:5 Lit to the sons of men
- Ephesians 3:12 Or through His faithfulness
- Ephesians 3:14 Other mss add of our Lord Jesus Christ
American Standard Version (ASV)
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New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
2012 by Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software
Darby Translation (DARBY)
Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?)
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.