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.