Ephesians 3

The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed

1 For this reason I, Paul, o a prisoner for Christ Jesus p on behalf of you Gentiles - 2 assuming that you have heard of q the stewardship of r God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 s how the mystery was made known to me t by revelation, u as I have written briefly. 4 v When you read this, you can perceive my insight into w the mystery of Christ, 5 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. 6 This mystery is 1 that the Gentiles are x fellow heirs, y members of the same body, and z partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

7 a Of this gospel I was made b a minister according to the gift of c God's grace, which was given me d by the working of his power. 8 To me, e though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, f to preach to the Gentiles the g unsearchable h riches of Christ, 9 and i to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery j hidden for ages in 2 God k who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold l wisdom of God m might now be made known to n the rulers and authorities o in the heavenly places. 11 This was p according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have q boldness and r access with s confidence through our t faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering u for you, v which is your glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Strength

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom w every family 3 in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to x the riches of his glory y he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit z in your inner being, 17 a so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being b rooted and c grounded in love, 18 may have strength to d comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and e height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ f that surpasses knowledge, that g you may be filled with all h the fullness of God.

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

  1. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:1
    I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.
    Acts 23:18
    So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, "Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.
    Philippians 1:7
    It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
    Ephesians 6:20
    For which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
  2. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:13
    So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
    Colossians 1:24
    Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.
  3. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:10
    As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
    Colossians 1:25
    Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known.
    1 Timothy 1:4
    Nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
  4. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:7
    Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
    Ephesians 4:7
    But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
    Acts 11:23
    When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.
    Romans 1:5
    Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations.
  5. Cross References
    Acts 22:17
    When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance
    Acts 22:21
    And he said to me, 'Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'
    Acts 26:16 - 18
    But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you.
  6. Cross References
    Daniel 2:29
    To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be.
    Romans 16:25
    Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
    2 Corinthians 12:1
    I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
  7. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:9 - 10
    Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
  8. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:6
    Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.
  9. Cross References
    Colossians 4:3
    At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison -
  10. Cross References
    Galatians 3:29
    And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
  11. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:16
    And might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
  12. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:7
    Therefore do not become partners with them.
  13. Cross References
    Colossians 1:23
    If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
    Colossians 1:25
    Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known.
  14. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:6
    Who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
  15. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:2
    Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you.
  16. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:20
    Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.
    Ephesians 1:19
    And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
  17. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:9
    For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
  18. Cross References
    Acts 9:15
    But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
  19. Cross References
    Job 5:9
    Who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number:
    Romans 11:33
    Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
  20. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:18
    Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
    Romans 2:4
    Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
  21. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:2 - 3
    Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you.
  22. Cross References
    Colossians 1:26
    The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
  23. Cross References
    Revelation 4:11
    "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
    Ephesians 2:10
    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
  24. Cross References
    Romans 11:33
    Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
  25. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:12
    It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
  26. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:21
    Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
    Ephesians 6:12
    For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
  27. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:3
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
  28. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:11
    In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.
  29. Cross References
    Hebrews 4:16
    Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
    Hebrews 10:19
    Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.
  30. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:18
    For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
  31. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:4
    Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.
  32. Cross References
    Mark 11:22
    And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God.
    Philippians 3:9
    And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith -
  33. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:1
    For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles -
  34. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:6
    If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
  35. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:10
    As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
    Ephesians 1:21
    Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
  36. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:8
    To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
  37. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:13
    Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
    Ephesians 6:10
    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
    Philippians 4:13
    I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
    Colossians 1:11
    May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.
  38. Cross References
    Romans 7:22
    For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being.
  39. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:22
    In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
  40. Cross References
    Colossians 2:7
    Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
  41. Cross References
    Colossians 1:23
    If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
  42. Cross References
    John 1:5
    The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
  43. Cross References
    Romans 8:39
    Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    Job 11:8 - 9
    It is higher than heaven - what can you do? Deeper than Sheol - what can you know?
  44. Cross References
    Philippians 4:7
    And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
  45. Cross References
    Colossians 2:10
    And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
  46. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:23
    Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
  47. Cross References
    Romans 16:25
    Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
    Jude 1:24
    Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.
  48. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 9:8
    And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
  49. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:7
    Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
  50. Cross References
    Romans 11:36
    For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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