(A)When you read this, you can perceive my insight into (B)the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is[a] that the Gentiles are (C)fellow heirs, (D)members of the same body, and (E)partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

(F)Of this gospel I was made (G)a minister according to the gift of (H)God's grace, which was given me (I)by the working of his power. To me, (J)though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, (K)to preach to the Gentiles the (L)unsearchable (M)riches of Christ, and (N)to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery (O)hidden for ages in[b] God, (P)who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold (Q)wisdom of God (R)might now be made known to (S)the rulers and authorities (T)in the heavenly places. 11 This was (U)according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have (V)boldness and (W)access with (X)confidence through our (Y)faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering (Z)for you, (AA)which is your glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Strength

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom (AB)every family[c] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to (AC)the riches of his glory (AD)he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit (AE)in your inner being, 17 (AF)so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being (AG)rooted and (AH)grounded in love, 18 may have strength to (AI)comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and (AJ)height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ (AK)that surpasses knowledge, that (AL)you may be filled with all (AM)the fullness of God.

20 (AN)Now to (AO)him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, (AP)according to the power at work within us, 21 (AQ)to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 3:6 The words This mystery is are inferred from verse 4
  2. Ephesians 3:9 Or by
  3. Ephesians 3:15 Or from whom all fatherhood; the Greek word patria in verse 15 is closely related to the word for Father in verse 14

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight(A) into the mystery of Christ, 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.(B) This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs(C) together with Israel, members together of one body,(D) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.(E)

I became a servant of this gospel(F) by the gift of God’s grace given me(G) through the working of his power.(H) Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,(I) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles(J) the boundless riches of Christ,(K) and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,(L) 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(M) should be made known(N) to the rulers and authorities(O) in the heavenly realms,(P) 11 according to his eternal purpose(Q) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God(R) with freedom and confidence.(S) 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(T) 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(U) he may strengthen you with power(V) through his Spirit in your inner being,(W) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts(X) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted(Y) and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,(Z) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep(AA) is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge(AB)—that you may be filled(AC) to the measure of all the fullness of God.(AD)

20 Now to him who is able(AE) to do immeasurably more than all we ask(AF) or imagine, according to his power(AG) 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.(AH)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).