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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

  1. Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).
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Ephesians 3
Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament

3 For this houtos reason charin I egō, Paul Paulos, a ho prisoner desmios of ho Christ Christos Jesus Iēsous for hyper the sake of you hymeis · ho Gentiles ethnos— 2 assuming that ei you have heard akouō about the ho stewardship oikonomia of the ho grace charis of ho God theos that ho was given didōmi to me egō for eis you hymeis, 3 that hoti by kata revelation apokalypsis the ho mystery mystērion was made known gnōrizō to me egō, as kathōs I have already written prographō briefly en oligos. 4 Accordingly pros, when you read anaginōskō this hos you will be able dynamai to understand noeō · ho my egō insight synesis into en the ho mystery mystērion of ho Christ Christos, 5 which hos was gnōrizō not ou made known gnōrizō to the ho sons hyios of ho men anthrōpos in other heteros generations genea as hōs it has now nyn been revealed apokalyptō to ho his autos holy hagios apostles apostolos and kai prophets prophētēs by en the Spirit pneuma, 6 namely, that the ho Gentiles ethnos are eimi joint heirs synklēronomos, · kai fellow syssōmos members of the body and kai sharers together symmetochos in the ho promise epangelia in en Christ Christos Jesus Iēsous through dia the ho gospel euangelion. 7 Of this hos gospel I became ginomai a servant diakonos according to kata the ho gift dōrea of ho God’ s theos grace charis, · ho which ho was given didōmi to me egō by kata the ho exercise energeia of ho his autos power dynamis. 8 To me egō, the ho very least elachistos of all pas the saints hagios, this houtos grace charis was given didōmi: · ho to preach euangelizō to the ho Gentiles ethnos the ho unsearchable anexichniastos riches ploutos of ho Christ Christos, 9 and kai to make it plain phōtizō to all pas what tis is the ho administration oikonomia of the ho mystery mystērion, which ho was kept hidden apokryptō for apo · ho ages aiōn in en · ho God theos who ho created ktizō · ho all pas things , 10 in order that hina now nyn, through dia the ho church ekklēsia, the ho manifold polypoikilos wisdom sophia of ho God theos should be made known gnōrizō to the ho rulers archē and kai · ho authorities exousia in en the ho heavenly epouranios realms , 11 according to kata the eternal aiōn purpose prothesis · ho that hos he accomplished poieō in en · ho Christ Christos Jesus Iēsous · ho our hēmeis Lord kyrios, 12 in en whom hos we have echō · ho boldness parrēsia and kai confident pepoithēsis access prosagōgē through dia · ho faith pistis in him autos.

13 I ask aiteō you, therefore dio, not mē to be discouraged because en of · ho my egō sufferings thlipsis on hyper your hymeis behalf, which hostis are eimi your hymeis glory doxa. 14 For this houtos reason charin I bow kamptō · ho my egō knees gony before pros the ho Father patēr, 15 from ek whom hos every pas family patria in en heaven ouranos and kai on epi earth gē derives its name onomazō, 16 in order hina that according to kata the ho riches ploutos of ho his autos glory doxa he may grant didōmi you hymeis to be strengthened krataioō with power dynamis through dia · ho his autos Spirit pneuma in eis your ho inner esō being anthrōpos, 17 that Christ Christos may dwell katoikeō · ho in en your hymeis hearts kardia through dia · ho faith pistis, · ho rooted rhizoō and kai grounded themelioō in en love agapē, 18 in order that hina you may be empowered exischuō to grasp katalambanō with syn all pas the ho saints hagios what tis is the ho breadth platos and kai length mēkos and kai height hypsos and kai depth bathos, 19 and te to know ginōskō the ho love agapē of ho Christ Christos which surpasses hyperballō · ho knowledge gnōsis, that hina you may be filled plēroō up to eis all pas the ho fullness plērōma of ho God theos. 20 Now de to the ho one who is able dynamai to do poieō far more abundantly hyperekperissou beyond hyper all pas that hos we ask aiteō or ē imagine noeō, according kata to the ho power dynamis that ho is working energeō within en us hēmeis, 21 to him autos be · ho glory doxa in en the ho church ekklēsia and kai in en Christ Christos Jesus Iēsous throughout eis all pas · ho generations genea, · ho forever aiōn and · ho ever aiōn! Amen amēn.

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Ephesians 3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles

3 This is the reason that I, Paul, am a prisoner for[a] Christ Jesus[b] for the sake of you gentiles, 2 for surely[c] you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you 3 and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words,[d](A) 4 a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ.(B) 5 In former generations this mystery[e] was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:(C) 6 that is, the gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.(D)

7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8 Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ(E) 9 and to make everyone see[f] what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in[g] God, who created all things,(F) 10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.[h](G) 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access in boldness and confidence through faith in him.[i](H) 13 I pray, therefore, that you[j] may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.

Prayer for the Readers

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,[k] 15 from whom every family[l] in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit(I) 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth(J) 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.(K)

20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,(L) 21 to him be glory in the church and[m] in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 3.1 Or of
  2. 3.1 Other ancient authorities lack Jesus
  3. 3.2 Or if indeed
  4. 3.3 Or wrote before in brief
  5. 3.5 Gk it
  6. 3.9 Other ancient authorities read to bring to light
  7. 3.9 Or by
  8. 3.10 Gk heavenlies
  9. 3.12 Or the faith of him
  10. 3.13 Or I
  11. 3.14 Other ancient authorities add of our Lord Jesus Christ
  12. 3.15 Gk fatherhood
  13. 3.21 Other ancient authorities omit and
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Ephesians 3
New Living Translation

God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed

3 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles[a] . . . 2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. 3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.[b] 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone[c] this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him,[d] we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,[e] 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.[f] 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 3:1 Paul resumes this thought in verse 14: “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father.”
  2. 3:6 Or because they are united with Christ Jesus.
  3. 3:9 Some manuscripts do not include to everyone.
  4. 3:12 Or Because of Christ’s faithfulness.
  5. 3:14 Some manuscripts read the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  6. 3:15 Or from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
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Ephesians 3
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 assuming you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that he gave 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 into the mystery of Christ.(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 in 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 Christ, 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 that 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 Christ 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 your inner being(S) through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ 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 Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that 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. 3:5 Lit to the sons of men
  2. 3:12 Or through his faithfulness
  3. 3:14 Other mss add of our Lord Jesus Christ
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