The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
Study note
Paul explains his unique role as a prisoner of Christ and steward of the mystery now revealed: that through the gospel, Gentiles share equally with Jews in the body of Christ. This was not merely an adjustment to God's plan but his eternal purpose, now displayed through the church even to spiritual powers in heavenly places. Paul's description of himself as 'less than the least of all the saints' (v. 8) reflects genuine humility born from remembering his past as a persecutor. He urges the Ephesians not to lose heart over his imprisonment, since his suffering serves their spiritual benefit.
1 Therefore I, Paul, am sitting in prison for the sake of you who are not Jewish -- it is all because of Jesus Christ. For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 I am sure you have heard that God gave me a special job of sharing his grace with you. If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 God showed me his secret plan directly. I already wrote about this briefly earlier in this letter. How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 When you read what I wrote, you can see that I clearly understand this secret about Christ. Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 People in the past were never told this secret. But now God has shown it through his Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 This is the mystery: through the good news, non-Jewish people now share equally with Jewish people in everything! They are heirs together, they belong to the same body, and they share in the same promises through Jesus Christ. That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 God made me a servant of this good news as a gift of his grace, and his power is what makes it all work. Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 I matter less than the least of all God's people. Yet he gave me this great honor. I get to tell non-Jewish people about the endless riches of Christ. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 My job is to help everyone see God's plan. This secret was hidden away in God, the Creator of everything, since the very beginning of time. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 God had a purpose. Through the church, spirit world rulers and powers would see his great wisdom. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 This was all part of God's eternal plan, and he carried it out through Jesus Christ our Lord. According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 Because we belong to Christ and trust in him, we can walk right up to God with total confidence and without any fear. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
13 So please do not be discouraged because I am suffering. I am going through this for your benefit, and it will bring you glory. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Paul's Prayer for Inner Strength and Love
Study note
Paul's second great prayer in this letter moves from knowledge (chapter 1) to experience. He prays that God would strengthen believers in their inner being through the Spirit, that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith, and that they would comprehend the limitless dimensions of Christ's love. The prayer climaxes with the staggering truth that God 'is able to do far more than all we ask or think' (v. 20). The doxology in verses 20-21 brings the doctrinal half of Ephesians to a majestic close, giving glory to God in the church and in Christ forever.
14 Therefore I kneel down before the Father, For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 the one from whom every family in heaven and on earth gets its name. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 I pray that out of his incredible riches, he will use his Spirit to make you strong deep down inside. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 I pray that Christ will feel at home in your hearts through faith. I pray that love will be the soil your life is planted in and the ground your life is built on. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 Then you and all of God's people will grasp it. You will see how wide and long Christ's love is. You will see how deep and high it is. May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 I pray that you will experience this love for yourselves, even though it is too big to fully understand. Then you will be filled up with all the fullness of God himself. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 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 May God receive glory through the church and through Jesus Christ for all time, forever and ever. Amen. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.