Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Ephesians » Chapter 3 » Verse 1-21

Ephesians 3:1-21 King James Version (KJV)

- Read this chapter

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 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 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 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 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 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 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 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 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 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 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 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:1-21 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

- Read this chapter

1 For this G5127 cause G5484 I G1473 Paul, G3972 the prisoner G1198 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 for G5228 you G5216 Gentiles, G1484

2 If G1489 ye have heard G191 of the dispensation G3622 of the grace G5485 of God G2316 which G3588 is given G1325 me G3427 to G1519 you-ward: G5209

3 How that G3754 by G2596 revelation G602 he made known G1107 unto me G3427 the mystery; G3466 (as G2531 I wrote afore G4270 in G1722 few words, G3641

4 Whereby, G4314 G3739 when ye read, G314 ye may G1410 understand G3539 my G3450 knowledge G4907 in G1722 the mystery G3466 of Christ) G5547

5 Which G3739 in G1722 other G2087 ages G1074 was G1107 not G3756 made known G1107 unto the sons G5207 of men, G444 as G5613 it is G601 now G3568 revealed G601 unto his G846 holy G40 apostles G652 and G2532 prophets G4396 by G1722 the Spirit; G4151

6 That the Gentiles G1484 should be G1511 fellowheirs, G4789 and G2532 of the same body, G4954 and G2532 partakers G4830 of his G846 promise G1860 in G1722 Christ G5547 by G1223 the gospel: G2098

7 Whereof G3739 I was made G1096 a minister, G1249 according G2596 to the gift G1431 of the grace G5485 of God G2316 given G1325 unto me G3427 by G2596 the effectual working G1753 of his G846 power. G1411

8 Unto me, G1698 who am less than the least G1647 of all G3956 saints, G40 is G1325 this G3778 grace G5485 given, G1325 that I should preach G2097 among G1722 the Gentiles G1484 the unsearchable G421 riches G4149 of Christ; G5547

9 And G2532 to make G5461 all G3956 men see G5461 what G5101 is the fellowship G2842 of the mystery, G3466 which G3588 from G575 the beginning of the world G165 hath been hid G613 in G1722 God, G2316 who G3588 created G2936 all things G3956 by G1223 Jesus G2424 Christ: G5547

10 To the intent that G2443 now G3568 unto the principalities G746 and G2532 powers G1849 in G1722 heavenly G2032 places might be known G1107 by G1223 the church G1577 the manifold G4182 wisdom G4678 of God, G2316

11 According to G2596 the eternal G165 purpose G4286 which G3739 he purposed G4160 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 our G2257 Lord: G2962

12 In G1722 whom G3739 we have G2192 boldness G3954 and G2532 access G4318 with G1722 confidence G4006 by G1223 the faith G4102 of him. G846

13 Wherefore G1352 I desire G154 that ye faint G1573 not G3361 at G1722 my G3450 tribulations G2347 for G5228 you, G5216 which G3748 is G2076 your G5216 glory. G1391

14 For this G5127 cause G5484 I bow G2578 my G3450 knees G1119 unto G4314 the Father G3962 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547

15 Of G1537 whom G3739 the whole G3956 family G3965 in G1722 heaven G3772 and G2532 earth G1909 G1093 is named, G3687

16 That G2443 he would grant G1325 you, G5213 according to G2596 the riches G4149 of his G846 glory, G1391 to be strengthened G2901 with might G1411 by G1223 his G846 Spirit G4151 in G1519 the inner G2080 man; G444

17 That Christ G5547 may dwell G2730 in G1722 your G5216 hearts G2588 by G1223 faith; G4102 that G2443 ye, being rooted G4492 and G2532 grounded G2311 in G1722 love, G26

18 May be able G1840 to comprehend G2638 with G4862 all G3956 saints G40 what G5101 is the breadth, G4114 and G2532 length, G3372 and G2532 depth, G899 and G2532 height; G5311

19 And G5037 to know G1097 the love G26 of Christ, G5547 which passeth G5235 knowledge, G1108 that G2443 ye might be filled G4137 with G1519 all G3956 the fulness G4138 of God. G2316

20 Now G1161 unto him that is able G1410 to do G4160 exceeding G5228 abundantly G1537 G4053 above G5228 all G3956 that G3739 we ask G154 or G2228 think, G3539 according to G2596 the power G1411 that worketh G1754 in G1722 us, G2254

21 Unto him G846 be glory G1391 in G1722 the church G1577 by G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 throughout G1519 all G3956 ages, G1074 world G165 without end. G165 Amen. G281

Ephesians 3:1-21 American Standard (ASV)

- Read this chapter

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,--

2 if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward;

3 how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words,

4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;

5 which in other generation was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

6 `to wit', that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

7 whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;

10 to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly `places' might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.

13 Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

19 and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

20 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 unto him `be' the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:1-21 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

- Read this chapter

1 For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you the nations,

2 if, indeed, ye did hear of the dispensation of the grace of God that was given to me in regard to you,

3 that by revelation He made known to me the secret, according as I wrote before in few `words' --

4 in regard to which ye are able, reading `it', to understand my knowledge in the secret of the Christ,

5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit --

6 that the nations be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in the Christ, through the good news,

7 of which I became a ministrant, according to the gift of the grace of God that was given to me, according to the working of His power;

8 to me -- the less than the least of all the saints -- was given this grace, among the nations to proclaim good news -- the untraceable riches of the Christ,

9 and to cause all to see what `is' the fellowship of the secret that hath been hid from the ages in God, who the all things did create by Jesus Christ,

10 that there might be made known now to the principalities and the authorities in the heavenly `places', through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God,

11 according to a purpose of the ages, which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord,

12 in whom we have the freedom and the access in confidence through the faith of him,

13 wherefore, I ask `you' not to faint in my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 of whom the whole family in the heavens and on earth is named,

16 that He may give to you, according to the riches of His glory, with might to be strengthened through His Spirit, in regard to the inner man,

17 that the Christ may dwell through the faith in your hearts, in love having been rooted and founded,

18 that ye may be in strength to comprehend, with all the saints, what `is' the breadth, and length, and depth, and height,

19 to know also the love of the Christ that is exceeding the knowledge, that ye may be filled -- to all the fulness of God;

20 and to Him who is able above all things to do exceeding abundantly what we ask or think, according to the power that is working in us,

21 to Him `is' the glory in the assembly in Christ Jesus, to all the generations of the age of the ages. Amen.

Ephesians 3:1-21 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

- Read this chapter

1 For this reason *I* Paul, prisoner of the Christ Jesus for you nations,

2 (if indeed ye have heard of the administration of the grace of God which has been given to me towards you,

3 that by revelation the mystery has been made known to me, (according as I have written before briefly,

4 by which, in reading it, ye can understand my intelligence in the mystery of the Christ,)

5 which in other generations has not been made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in [the power of the] Spirit,

6 that [they who are of] the nations should be joint heirs, and a joint body, and joint partakers of [his] promise in Christ Jesus by the glad tidings;

7 of which I am become minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me, according to the working of his power.

8 To me, less than the least of all saints, has this grace been given, to announce among the nations the glad tidings of the unsearchable riches of the Christ,

9 and to enlighten all [with the knowledge of] what is the administration of the mystery hidden throughout the ages in God, who has created all things,

10 in order that now to the principalities and authorities in the heavenlies might be made known through the assembly the all-various wisdom of God,

11 according to [the] purpose of the ages, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord,

12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence by the faith of him.

13 Wherefore I beseech [you] not to faint through my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ],

15 of whom every family in [the] heavens and on earth is named,

16 in order that he may give you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 that the Christ may dwell, through faith, in your hearts, being rooted and founded in love,

18 in order that ye may be fully able to apprehend with all the saints what [is] the breadth and length and depth and height;

19 and to know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge; that ye may be filled [even] to all the fulness of God.

20 But to him that is able to do far exceedingly above all which we ask or think, according to the power which works in us,

21 to him be glory in the assembly in Christ Jesus unto all generations of the age of ages. Amen).

Ephesians 3:1-21 World English Bible (WEB)

- Read this chapter

1 For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,

2 if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;

3 how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,

4 by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;

5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel,

7 of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

9 and to make all men see what is the administration{TR reads "fellowship" instead of "administration"} of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;

10 to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,

11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord;

12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.

13 Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.

14 For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

19 and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness 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,

21 to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:1-21 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

- Read this chapter

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles,

2 If that ordering of the grace of God has come to your knowledge, which was given to me for you,

3 How by revelation the secret was made clear to me, as I said before in a short letter,

4 By the reading of which you will be clear about my knowledge of the secret of Christ;

5 Which in other generations was not given to the sons of men, but the revelation of it has now been made to his holy Apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

6 Which is that the Gentiles have a part in the heritage, and in the same body, and in the same hope in Christ through the good news,

7 Of which I was made a preacher, through that grace of God which was given to me in the measure of the working of his power.

8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, was this grace given, so that I might make clear to the Gentiles the good news of the unending wealth of Christ:

9 And make all men see what is the ordering of the secret which from the first has been kept in God who made all things;

10 So that now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavens might be made clear through the church the wide-shining wisdom of God,

11 Which is seen in his eternal purpose in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12 By whom we come near to God without fear through faith in him.

13 For this reason it is my prayer that you may not become feeble because of my troubles for you, which are your glory.

14 For this cause I go down on my knees before the Father,

15 From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

16 That in the wealth of his glory he would make you strong with power through his Spirit in your hearts;

17 So that Christ may have his place in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and based in love,

18 May have strength to see with all the saints how wide and long and high and deep it is,

19 And to have knowledge of the love of Christ which is outside all knowledge, so that you may be made complete as God himself is complete.

20 Now to him who is able to do in full measure more than all our desires or thoughts, through the power which is working in us,

21 To him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations for ever and ever. So be it.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ephesians 3

Commentary on Ephesians 3 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 3

This chapter consists of two parts.

  • I. Of the account which Paul gives the Ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by God to be the apostle of the Gentiles (v. 1-13).
  • II. Of his devout and affectionate prayer to God for the Ephesians (v. 14-21).

We may observe it to have been very much the practice of this apostle to intermix, with his instructions and counsels, intercessions and prayers to God for those to whom he wrote, as knowing that all his instructions and teachings would be useless and vain, except God did co-operate with them, and render them effectual. This is an example that all the ministers of Christ should copy after, praying earnestly that the efficacious operations of the divine Spirit may attend their ministrations, and crown them with success.

Eph 3:1-13

Here we have the account which Paul gives the Ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by God the apostle of the Gentiles.

  • I. We may observe that he acquaints them with the tribulations and sufferings which he endured in the discharge of that office, v. 1. The first clause refers to the preceding chapter, and may be understood either of these two ways:-
    • 1. "For this cause,-for having preached the doctrine contained in the foregoing chapter, and for asserting that the great privileges of the gospel belong not only to the Jews, but to believing Gentiles also, though they are not circumcised,-for this I am now a prisoner, but a prisoner of Jesus Christ, as I suffer in his cause and for his sake, and continue his faithful servant and the object of his special protection and care, while I am thus suffering for him.' Observe, Christ's servants, if they come to be prisoners, are his prisoners; and he despises not his prisoners. He thinks never the worse of them for the bad character which the world gives them or the evil treatment that they met with in it. Paul adhered to Christ, and Christ owned him, when he was in prison.-For you, Gentiles; the Jews persecuted and imprisoned him because he was the apostle of the Gentiles, and preached the gospel to them. We may learn hence that the faithful ministers of Christ are to dispense his sacred truths, however disagreeable they may be to some, and whatever they themselves may suffer for doing so. Or,
    • 2. The words may be thus understood:-"For this cause,-since you are no more strangers and foreigners (as ch. 2:19), but are united to Christ, and admitted into communion with his church,-I Paul, who am the prisoner of Jesus Christ, pray that you may be enabled to act as becomes persons thus favoured by God, and made partakers of such privileges.' To this purport you find him expressing himself in v. 14, where, after the digression contained in the several verses intervening, he proceeds with what he began in the first verse. Observe, Those who have received grace and signal favours from God stand in need of prayer, that they may improve and advance, and continue to act as becomes them. And, seeing Paul while he was a prisoner employed himself in such prayers to God in behalf of the Ephesians, we should learn that no particular sufferings of our own should make us so solicitous about ourselves as to neglect the cases of others in our supplications and addresses to God. He speaks again of his sufferings: Wherefore I desire that you faint not at my tribulation for you, which is your glory, v. 13. While he was in prison, he suffered much there; and, though it was upon their account that he suffered, yet he would not have them discouraged nor dismayed at this, seeing God had done such great things for them by his ministry. What a tender concern was here for these Ephesians! The apostle seems to have been more solicitous lest they should be discouraged and faint upon his tribulations than about what he himself endured; and, to prevent this, he tells them that his sufferings were their glory, and would be so far from being a real discouragement, if they duly considered the matter, that they ministered cause to them for glorying and for rejoicing, as this discovered the great esteem and regard which God bore to them, in that he not only sent his apostles to preach the gospel to them, but even to suffer for them, and to confirm the truths they delivered by the persecutions they underwent. Observe, Not only the faithful ministers of Christ themselves, but their people too, have some special cause for joy and glorying, when they suffer for the sake of dispensing the gospel.
  • II. The apostle informs them of God's appointing him to the office, and eminently fitting and qualifying him for it, by a special revelation that he made unto him.
    • 1. God appointed him to the office: If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward, v. 2. They could not have heard of this, and therefore he does not design to speak doubtfully of this matter. Eige is sometimes an affirmative particle, and we may read it, Since you have heard, etc. He styles the gospel the grace of God here (as in other places) because it is the gift of divine grace to sinful men; and all the gracious overtures that it makes, and the joyful tidings that it contains, proceed from the rich grace of God; and it is also the great instrument in the hands of the Spirit by which God works grace in the souls of men. He speaks of the dispensation of this grace given to him; he means as he was authorized and commissioned by God to dispense the doctrine of the gospel, which commission and authority were given to him chiefly for he service of the Gentiles: to you-ward. And again, speaking of the gospel, he says, Whereof I was made a minister, etc., v. 7 Here he again asserts his authority. He was MADE a minister-he did not make himself such; he took not to himself that honour-and he was made such according to the gift of the grace of God unto him. God supplied and furnished him for his work; and in the performance of it suitably assisted him with all needful gifts and graces, both ordinary and extraordinary, and that by the effectual working of his power, in himself more especially, and also in great numbers of those to whom he preached, by which means his labours among them were successful. Observe, What God calls men to he fits them for, and does it with an almighty power. An effectual working of divine power attends the gifts of divine grace.
    • 2. As God appointed him to the office, so he eminently qualified him for it, by a special revelation that he made unto him. He makes mention both of the mystery that was revealed and of the revelation of it.
      • (1.) The mystery revealed is that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ, by the gospel (v. 6); that is, that they should be joint-heirs with the believing Jews of the heavenly inheritance; and that they should be members of the same mystical body, be received into the church of Christ, and be interested in the gospel-promises, as well as the Jews, and particularly in that great promise of the Spirit. And this in Christ, being united to Christ, in whom all the promises are yea and amen; and by the gospel, that is, in the times of the gospel, as some understand it; or, by the gospel preached to them, which is the great instrument and means by which God works faith in Christ, as others. This was the great truth revealed to the apostles, namely, that God would call the Gentiles to salvation by faith in Christ, and that without the works of the law.
      • (2.) Of the revelation of this truth he speaks, v. 3-5. Here we may observe that the coalition of Jews and Gentiles in the gospel church was a mystery, a great mystery, what was designed in the counsel of God before all worlds, but what could not be fully understood for many ages, till the accomplishment expounded the prophecies of it. It is called a mystery because the several circumstances and peculiarities of it (such as the time and manner and means by which it should be effected) were concealed and kept secret in God's own breast, till be an immediate revelation he made them known to his servant. See Acts 26:16-18. And it is called the mystery of Christ because it was revealed by him (Gal. 1:12), and because it relates so very much to him. Of this the apostle has given some hints afore, or a little before; that is, in the preceding chapters. Whereby, when you read; or, as those words may be read, unto which attending (and it is not enough for us barely to read the scriptures, unless we attend to them, and seriously consider and lay to heart what we read), you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ; so as to perceive how God had fitted and qualified him to be an apostle to the Gentiles, which might be to them an evident token of his divine authority. This mystery, he says, 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 (v. 5); that is, "It was not so fully and clearly discovered in the ages before Christ as it is now revealed unto the prophets of this age, the prophets of the New Testament, who are immediately inspired and taught by the Spirit.' Let us observe, that the conversion of the Gentile world to the faith of Christ was an adorable mystery, and we ought to bless God for it. Who would have imagined that those who had been so long in the dark, and at so great a distance, would be enlightened with the marvellous light, and be made nigh? Let us learn hence not to despair of the worst, of the worst of persons, and the worst of nations. Nothing is too hard for divine grace to do: none so unworthy but God may please to confer great grace upon them. And how much are we ourselves interested in this affair; not only as we live in a time in which the mystery is revealed, but particularly as we are a part of the nations which in times past were foreigners and strangers, and lived in gross idolatry; but are now enlightened with the everlasting gospel, and partake of its promises!
  • III. The apostle informs them how he was employed in this office, and that with respect to the Gentiles, and to all men.
    • 1. With respect to the Gentiles, he preached to them the unsearchable riches of Christ, v. 8. Observe, in this verse, how humbly he speaks of himself, and how highly he speaks of Jesus Christ.
      • (1.) How humbly he speaks of himself: I am less than the least of all saints. St. Paul, who was the chief of the apostles, calls himself less than the least of all saints: he means on account of his having been formerly a persecutor of the followers of Christ. He was, in his own esteem, as little as could be. What can be less than the least? To speak himself as little as could be, he speaks himself less than could be. Observe, Those whom God advances to honourable employments he humbles and makes low in their own eyes; and, where God gives grace to be humble, there he gives all other grace. You may also observe in what a different manner the apostle speaks of himself and of his office. While he magnifies his office, he debases himself. Observe, A faithful minister of Christ may be very humble, and think very meanly of himself, even when he thinks and speaks very highly and honourably of his sacred function.
      • (2.) How highly he speaks of Jesus Christ: The unsearchable riches of Christ. There is a mighty treasury of mercy, grace, and love, laid up in Christ Jesus, and that both for Jews and Gentiles. Or, the riches of the gospel are here spoken of as the riches of Christ: the riches which Christ purchased for, and bestows upon, all believers. And they are unsearchable riches, which we cannot find the bottom of, which human sagacity could never have discovered, and men could no otherwise attain to the knowledge of them but by revelation. Now it was the apostle's business and employment to preach these unsearchable riches of Christ among the Gentiles: and it was a favour he greatly valued, and looked upon it as an unspeakable honour to him: "Unto me is this grace given; this special favour God has granted to such an unworthy creature as I am.' And it is an unspeakable favour to the Gentile world that to them the unsearchable riches of Christ are preached. Though many remain poor, and are not enriched with these riches, yet it is a favour to have them preached among us, to have an offer of them made to us; and, if we are not enriched with them, it is our own fault.
    • 2. With respect to all men, v. 9. His business and employment were to make all men see (to publish and make known to the whole world) what is the fellowship of the mystery (that the Gentiles who have hitherto been strangers to the church, shall be admitted into communion with it) which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God (kept secret in his purpose), who created all things by Jesus Christ: as Jn. 1:3, All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made; and therefore no wonder that he saves the Gentiles as well as the Jews; for he is the common Creator of them both: and we may conclude that he is able to perform the work of their redemption, seeing he was able to accomplish the great work of creation. It is true that both the first creation, when God made all things out of nothing, and the new creation, whereby sinners are made new creatures by converting grace, are of God by Jesus Christ. The apostle adds, To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known, by the church, the manifold wisdom of God, v. 10. This was one things, among others, which God had in his eye in revealing this mystery, that the good angels, who have a pre-eminence in governing the kingdoms and principalities of the world, and who are endued with great power to execute the will of God on this earth (though their ordinary residence is in heaven) may be informed, from what passes in the church and is done in and by it, of the manifold wisdom of God; that is, of the great variety with which God wisely dispenses things, or of his wisdom manifested in the many ways and methods he takes in ordering his church in the several ages of it, and especially in receiving the Gentiles into it. The holy angels, who look into the mystery of our redemption by Christ, could not but take notice of this branch of that mystery, that among the Gentiles is preached the unsearchable riches of Christ. And this is according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord, v. 11. Some translate the words kata prothesin toµn aioµnoµn thus According to the fore-disposing of the ages which he made, etc. So Dr. Whitby, etc. "In the first of the ages,' says this author, "his wisdom seeing fit to give the promise of a Saviour to a fallen Adam: in the second age to typify and represent him to the Jews in sacred persons, rites, and sacrifices: and in the age of the Messiah, or the last age, to reveal him to the Jews, and preach him to the Gentiles.' Others understand it, according to our translation, of the eternal purpose which God purposed to execute in and through Jesus Christ, the whole of what he has done in the great affair of man's redemption being in pursuance of his eternal decree about that matter. The apostle, having mentioned our Lord Jesus Christ, subjoins concerning him, In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him (v. 12); that is, "By (or through) whom we have liberty to open our minds freely to God, as to a Father, and a well-grounded persuasion of audience and of acceptance with him; and this by means of the faith we have in him, as our great Mediator and Advocate.' We may come with humble boldness to hear from God, knowing that the terror of the curse is done away; and we may expect to hear from him good words and comfortable. We may have access with confidence to speak to God, knowing that we have such a Mediator between God and us, and such an Advocate with the Father.

Eph 3:14-21

We now come to the second part of this chapter, which contains Paul's devout and affectionate prayer to God for his beloved Ephesians.-For this cause. This may be referred either to the immediately foregoing verse, That you faint not, etc., or, rather, the apostle is here resuming what he began at the first verse, from which he digressed in those which are interposed. Observe,

  • I. To whom he prays-to God, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of which see ch. 1:3.
  • II. His outward posture in prayer, which was humble and reverent: I bow my knees. Note, When we draw nigh to God, we should reverence him in our hearts, and express our reverence in the most suitable and becoming behaviour and gesture. Here, having mentioned Christ, he cannot pass without an honourable encomium of his love, v. 15. The universal church has a dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ: Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. The Jews were wont to boast of Abraham as their father, but now Jews and Gentiles are both denominated from Christ (so some); while others understand it of the saints in heaven, who wear the crown of glory, and of saints on earth who are going on in the work of grace here. Both the one and the other make but one family, one household; and from him they are named CHRISTIANS, as they really are such, acknowledging their dependence upon, and their relation to, Christ.
  • III. What the apostle asks of God for these his friends-spiritual blessings, which are the best blessings, and the most earnestly to be sought and prayed for by every one of us, both for ourselves and for our friends.
    • 1. Spiritual strength for the work and duty to which they were called, and in which they were employed: That he would grant you, according to the riches of his grace, to be strengthened, etc. The inner man is the heart or soul. To be strengthened with might is to be mightily strengthened, much more than they were at present; to be endued with a high degree of grace, and spiritual abilities for discharging duty, resisting temptations, enduring persecutions, etc. And the apostle prays that this may be according to the riches of his glory, or according to his glorious riches-answerable to that great abundance of grace, mercy, and power, which resides in God, and is his glory: and this by his Spirit, who is the immediate worker of grace in the souls of God's people. Observe from these things, That strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man is the best and most desirable strength, strength in the soul, the strength of faith and other graces, strength to serve God and to do our duty, and to persevere in our Christian course with vigour and with cheerfulness. And let us further observe that as the work of grace is first begun so it is continued and carried on, by the blessed Spirit of God.
    • 2. The indwelling of Christ in their hearts, v. 17. Christ is said to dwell in his people, as he is always present with them by his gracious influences and operations. Observe, It is a desirable thing to have Christ dwell in our hearts; and if the law of Christ be written there, and the love of Christ be shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. Christ is an inhabitant in the soul of every good Christian. Where his spirit dwells, there he dwells; and he dwells in the heart by faith, by means of the continual exercise of faith upon him. Faith opens the door of the soul, to receive Christ; faith admits him, and submits to him. By faith we are united to Christ, and have an interest in him.
    • 3. The fixing of pious and devout affections in the soul: That you being rooted and grounded in love, stedfastly fixed in your love to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to all the saints, the beloved of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many have some love to God and to his servants, but it is a flash, like the crackling of thorns under a pot, it makes a great noise, but is gone presently. We should earnestly desire that good affections may be fixed in us, that we may be rooted and grounded in love. Some understand it of their being settled and established in the sense of God's love to them, which would inspire them with greater ardours of holy love to him, and to one another. And how very desirable is it to have a settled fixed sense of the love of God and Christ to our souls, so as to be able to say with the apostle at all times, He has loved me! Now the best way to attain this is to be careful that we maintain a constant love to God in our souls; this will be the evidence of the love of God to us. We love him, because he first loved us. In order to this he prays,
    • 4. For their experimental acquaintance with the love of Jesus Christ. The more intimate acquaintance we have with Christ's love to us, the more our love will be drawn out to him, and to those who are his, for his sake: That you may be able to comprehend with all saints, etc. (v. 18, 19); that is, more clearly to understand, and firmly to believe, the wonderful love of Christ to his, which the saints do understand and believe in some measure, and shall understand more hereafter. Christians should not aim to comprehend above all saints; but be content that God deals with them as he uses to do with those who love and fear his name: we should desire to comprehend with all saints, to have so much knowledge as the saints are allowed to have in this world. We should be ambitious of coming up with the first three; but not of going beyond what is the measure of the stature of other saints. It is observable how magnificently the apostle speaks of the love of Christ. The dimensions of redeeming love are admirable: The breadth, and length, and depth, and height. By enumerating these dimensions, the apostle designs to signify the exceeding greatness of the love of Christ, the unsearchable riches of his love, which is higher than heaven, deeper than hell, longer than the earth, and broader than the sea, Job 11:8, 9. Some describe the particulars thus: By the breadth of it we may understand the extent of it to all ages, nations, and ranks of men; by the length of it, its continuance from everlasting to everlasting; by the depth of it, its stooping to the lowest condition, with a design to relieve and save those who have sunk into the depths of sin and misery; by its height, its entitling and raising us up to the heavenly happiness and glory. We should desire to comprehend this love: it is the character of all the saints that they do so; for they all have a complacency and a confidence in the love of Christ: And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, v. 19. If it passeth knowledge, how can we know it? We must pray and endeavour to know something, and should still covet and strive to know more and more of it, though, after the best endeavours, none can fully comprehend it: in its full extent it surpasses knowledge. Though the love of Christ may be better perceived and known by Christians than it generally is, yet it cannot be fully understood on this side heaven.
    • 5. He prays that they may be filled with all the fulness of God. It is a high expression: we should not dare to use it if we did not find it in the scriptures. It is like those other expressions, of being partakers of a divine nature, and of being perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. We are not to understand it of his fulness as God in himself, but of his fulness as a God in covenant with us, as a God to his people: such a fulness as God is ready to bestow, who is willing to fill them all to the utmost of their capacity, and that with all those gifts and graces which he sees they need. Those who receive grace for grace from Christ's fulness may be said to be filled with the fulness of God, according to their capacity, all which is in order to their arriving at the highest degree of the knowledge and enjoyment of God, and an entire conformity to him.

The apostle closes the chapter with a doxology, v. 20, 21. It is proper to conclude our prayers with praises. Our blessed Saviour has taught us to do so. Take notice how he describes God, and how he ascribes glory to him. He describes him as a God that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. There is an inexhaustible fulness of grace and mercy in God, which the prayers of all the saints can never draw dry. Whatever we may ask, or think to ask, still God is still able to do more, abundantly more, exceedingly abundantly more. Open thy mouth ever so wide, still he hath wherewithal to fill it. Note, In our applications to God we should encourage our faith by a consideration of his all-sufficiency and almighty power. According to the power which worketh in us. As if he had said, We have already had a proof of this power of God, in what he hath wrought in us and done for us, having quickened us by his grace, and converted us to himself. The power that still worketh for the saints is according to that power that hath wrought in them. Wherever God gives of his fulness he gives to experience his power. Having thus described God, he ascribes glory to him. When we come to ask for grace from God, we ought to give glory to God. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus. In ascribing glory to God, we ascribe all excellences and perfections to him, glory being the effulgency and result of them all. Observe, The seat of God's praises is in the church. That little rent of praise which God receives from this world is from the church, a sacred society constituted for the glory of God, every particular member of which, both Jew and Gentile, concurs in this work of praising God. The Mediator of these praises is Jesus Christ. All God's gifts come from him to us through the hand of Christ; and all our praises pass from us to him through the same hand. And God should and will be praised thus throughout all ages, world without end; for he will ever have a church to praise him, and he will ever have his tribute of praise from his church. Amen. So be it; and so it will certainly be.