Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3 explains the mystery of Christ and how God revealed His plan to include the Gentiles in the gospel. Paul shows that Gentiles are not second-class believers, but fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of God’s promise in Christ. This chapter also shows Paul’s humble ministry as a servant of the gospel and ends with his prayer that believers may be strengthened inwardly, understand the greatness of Christ’s love, and be filled with the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:1-10 (NKJV)
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

Paul begins by calling himself “the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles” (Ephesians 3:1), showing that his suffering was connected to his mission of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. God had given Paul a special work, a “dispensation of the grace of God,” so that he could explain the mystery of Christ to them (Ephesians 3:2-4). This mystery was not clearly understood in past ages, but it was now revealed by God’s Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets (Ephesians 3:5). The mystery is that Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of God’s promise in Christ through the gospel (Ephesians 3:6). This means salvation is not only for the Jews, but for all who believe in Christ. Paul became a minister of this gospel by God’s grace and power, not by his own greatness (Ephesians 3:7). In fact, he humbly calls himself “less than the least of all the saints” because he remembered his past as a persecutor of Christians (Ephesians 3:8). Yet God transformed him and chose him to preach “the unsearchable riches of Christ” among the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:8). This shows that God’s grace not only forgives sinners, but also lifts them up and uses them for His purpose. Just as God could use Paul despite his past, He could also bring the Gentiles, once seen as outsiders, into His family and make them part of His plan. Through the church, God reveals His many-sided wisdom even to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places (Ephesians 3:10). The church is therefore called to live as one united body, showing the world and the heavenly beings that God’s plan in Christ brings reconciliation, grace, and unity.

Ephesians 3:11-13 (NKJV)
11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

Paul explains that the inclusion of the Gentiles was not a temporary idea, but part of God’s eternal purpose, which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:11). God’s plan from the beginning was to bring people from all nations into unity through His Son. Because of Christ, believers now have “boldness and access with confidence” through faith in Him (Ephesians 3:12). This means believers do not come to God as strangers or enemies, but as children who have been brought near through Christ. They can approach the Father with confidence, not because of their own worthiness, but because they are accepted in Christ. Paul then asks the Ephesians not to lose heart because of his tribulations for them (Ephesians 3:13). His suffering was not a sign that the gospel had failed; rather, it showed the value and importance of the mission God gave him for the Gentiles. Paul wanted them to understand that his trials served their spiritual blessing and glory, because through his ministry they had received the gospel and been brought into God’s household.

Ephesians 3:14-19 (NKJV)
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from 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 through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Paul now prays to “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named (Ephesians 3:14-15). This shows that God is the Father and source of His redeemed family, both in heaven and on earth. Paul prays that believers would be strengthened with might through God’s Spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16). This means they need inward spiritual strength, not merely outward religion. He then prays that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:17). Christ dwells in believers by His Spirit, bringing His life, character, and power into the heart. Paul wants them to be “rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17), meaning love should be the foundation and source of their Christian life. Like a tree rooted in good soil or a building resting on a strong foundation, believers must be established in Christ’s love. Paul prays that they may understand, together with all the saints, the width, length, depth, and height of Christ’s love (Ephesians 3:18). This means Christ’s love is greater than human thought can fully measure. It is wide enough to include all who come to Him, long enough to reach through all ages, deep enough to save from the lowest condition of sin, and high enough to lift believers into heavenly life with God. Paul says this love “passes knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19), meaning it can be truly experienced, even though it is too great to fully explain. The result is that believers may be “filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19), meaning God’s life, love, holiness, and character are to fill and transform them through Christ.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)
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 glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Paul ends this section with praise to God. He says God is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). This means God’s power, wisdom, and grace are far greater than human understanding or expectation. Believers may ask for help, strength, victory, wisdom, or transformation, but God is able to do even more than they can imagine. Paul says this happens “according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20), showing that God’s power is not only above us in heaven, but also works within believers through His Spirit. This power strengthens the inner man, causes Christ to dwell in the heart by faith, and produces love, holiness, and spiritual growth (Ephesians 3:16-19). God’s work in believers is not only for their own benefit, but for His glory. Paul says, “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations” (Ephesians 3:21). The church is meant to reveal God’s grace, wisdom, love, and power through Christ. Therefore, believers should live with confident faith, trusting that God can accomplish His perfect will in them far beyond what they can understand, and giving Him glory forever.