Ephesians 3 - Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles

Ephesians 3:1–20 NRSV

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,

Cultural Concepts

Apostle — An envoy of Jesus Christ commissioned directly by Him or by other apostles; normally someone who has been taught directly by Jesus and who is invested with the authority to speak on His behalf.

Object › Person › Apostle

God as Father — Concepts and beliefs of God acting like a human father.

Abstract › Knowledge › Religious Beliefs › Supernatural Being › Deity › God as Father

Indwelling Spirit — Concepts of spiritual beings that reside in a person or thing and may have some degree of influence over that person or thing.

Abstract › Knowledge › Religious Beliefs › Supernatural Being › Indwelling Spirit

Influence of Gods or Spirits — The activity of a god or spirit in influencing or coming upon a person and so directing or strongly influencing their activities.

Abstract › Act › Activity › Influence of Gods or Spirits

Jewish and Gentile Relations — The relationship of the Jewish population to Gentiles and vice versa.

Abstract › Social Relationships › Interpersonal Relations › Inter-Ethnic Relations › Jewish and Gentile Relations