Ephesians / Chapter 3

Ephesians 3

21 verses • SBL Greek New Testament

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Ephesians 3 reveals the content of the 'mystery' introduced in 1:9 — that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Israel, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise through the gospel. Paul describes his unique commission to proclaim this mystery and marvels that God's wisdom is now made known through the church even to cosmic powers. The chapter concludes with one of Paul's most majestic prayers: that believers would be strengthened by the Spirit in their inner being, that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith, that they would comprehend the incomprehensible dimensions of Christ's love, and that they would be filled with all the fullness of God. A doxology closes the prayer.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The mystery of Gentile inclusion (vv. 5-6) is the theological heart of Ephesians. The church's role as God's classroom for cosmic powers (v. 10) is one of the most extraordinary ecclesiological claims in the New Testament. The prayer (vv. 14-21) is among the most theologically rich passages Paul ever wrote, with its four-dimensional love (breadth, length, height, depth) and the paradox of knowing what surpasses knowledge. The doxology (vv. 20-21) employs a double comparative: God can do 'exceedingly abundantly beyond' (hyperekperissou) what we ask or imagine.

Translation Friction

Paul begins a sentence in verse 1 that he does not complete until verse 14 — the digression in verses 2-13 is one of the longest parenthetical passages in the New Testament. The phrase 'holy apostles and prophets' (v. 5) is sometimes cited as evidence against Pauline authorship, since Paul elsewhere does not call the apostles 'holy.' The cosmic powers in verse 10 are debated — angelic beings, demonic forces, or both.

Connections

The mystery revealed connects to Colossians 1:26-27. Paul's imprisonment (v. 1) links to Philippians 1:12-14 and Colossians 4:3. The prayer for inner strengthening parallels Colossians 1:9-12. The 'fullness of God' (v. 19) echoes 1:23. The doxology's 'in the church and in Christ Jesus' (v. 21) binds ecclesiology and Christology together.

Ephesians 3:1

Τούτου χάριν ἐγὼ Παῦλος ὁ δέσμιος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν —

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles —

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Paul begins a prayer ('for this reason... I bow my knees') but interrupts himself with a lengthy digression about his ministry (vv. 2-13) before resuming the prayer in verse 14. The title desmios tou Christou Iēsou ('prisoner of Christ Jesus') reframes his Roman imprisonment as Christ's assignment: he is Christ's prisoner, not Rome's. The phrase hyper hymōn tōn ethnōn ('on behalf of you Gentiles') identifies the cause of his imprisonment — his Gentile mission provoked the hostility that led to his arrest.
Ephesians 3:2

εἴ γε ἠκούσατε τὴν οἰκονομίαν τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς δοθείσης μοι εἰς ὑμᾶς,

If you have listened to of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The conditional ei ge ēkousate ('if indeed you have heard') is not expressing doubt but invoking known information — 'as you surely have heard.' The word oikonomia ('stewardship, administration, management') pictures Paul as a household manager entrusted with distributing God's grace to the Gentiles. Grace is not just Paul's personal possession but a trust to be administered.
Ephesians 3:3

ὅτι κατὰ ἀποκάλυψιν ἐγνωρίσθη μοι τὸ μυστήριον, καθὼς προέγραψα ἐν ὀλίγῳ,

He made the mystery known to me by direct revelation, as I briefly described earlier.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase kata apokalypsin ('by revelation') echoes Galatians 1:12 — the mystery came through direct divine disclosure, not human instruction. The phrase kathōs proegrapsa en oligō ('as I wrote briefly before') likely refers to the earlier section of this same letter (1:9-10; 2:11-22) rather than to a separate earlier letter.
Ephesians 3:4

πρὸς ὃ δύνασθε ἀναγινώσκοντες νοῆσαι τὴν σύνεσίν μου ἐν τῷ μυστηρίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ,

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase tēn synesin mou ('my understanding, my insight') is not self-congratulation but a claim to genuine comprehension of the mystery through revelation. The phrase en tō mystēriō tou Christou ('in/regarding the mystery of Christ') specifies the content: this is Christ's mystery — it belongs to him and concerns him.
Ephesians 3:5

ὃ ἑτέραις γενεαῖς οὐκ ἐγνωρίσθη τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνθρώπων ὡς νῦν ἀπεκαλύφθη τοῖς ἁγίοις ἀποστόλοις αὐτοῦ καὶ προφήταις ἐν πνεύματι,

Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his sacred messengers and prophets by the Spirit.

KJV 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;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The comparison hōs nyn ('as it has now') does not say the mystery was completely unknown before, but that it was not known with the clarity it now possesses. The phrase hagiois apostolois kai prophētais ('holy apostles and prophets') has been debated — some find 'holy' applied to apostles to be un-Pauline. The 'prophets' are likely New Testament prophets (cf. 2:20; 4:11) rather than Old Testament figures. The means of revelation is the Spirit (en pneumati).
Ephesians 3:6

εἶναι τὰ ἔθνη συγκληρονόμα καὶ σύσσωμα καὶ συμμέτοχα τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου,

Here is the mystery: through the gospel, the Gentiles are fellow heirs with Israel, members of one body, and sharers together in the promise that comes through Christ Jesus.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The mystery's content is finally stated in three syn- compounds: synklēronoma ('co-heirs'), syssōma ('co-bodied, members of the same body'), and symmetocha ('co-sharers'). Each prefix syn- ('together with') emphasizes full participation alongside Jewish believers. The word syssōma appears only here in Greek literature — Paul likely coined it. Gentiles are not second-class members or honorary additions but fully integrated into the one body. The instrument is the gospel (dia tou euangeliou); the sphere is Christ (en Christō Iēsou).
Ephesians 3:7

οὗ ἐγενήθην διάκονος κατὰ τὴν δωρεὰν τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς δοθείσης μοι κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ.

Of this gospel I was made a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given to me by the working of his power.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb egenēthēn ('I was made, I became') is passive — Paul did not choose this ministry; he was appointed. The word diakonos ('servant, minister') carries no hierarchical weight here — Paul is a servant of the gospel. The phrase kata tēn energeian tēs dynameōs autou ('according to the working of his power') attributes Paul's entire ministry to divine empowerment, not personal ability.
Ephesians 3:8

ἐμοὶ τῷ ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ πάντων ἁγίων ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις αὕτη, τοῖς ἔθνεσιν εὐαγγελίσασθαι τὸ ἀνεξιχνίαστον πλοῦτος τοῦ Χριστοῦ

To me — the very least of all the saints — this grace was given: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,

KJV 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;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The word elachistoterō is a grammatical impossibility — a comparative form of a superlative ('leaster than the least'). Paul intensifies 'least' beyond normal grammar to express how undeserving he feels, likely in view of his persecution of the church (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:9). The adjective anexichniaston ('untraceable, unfathomable, inscrutable') was used for footprints that cannot be followed — Christ's riches are too vast to track to their source.
Ephesians 3:9

καὶ φωτίσαι πάντας τίς ἡ οἰκονομία τοῦ μυστηρίου τοῦ ἀποκεκρυμμένου ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων ἐν τῷ θεῷ τῷ τὰ πάντα κτίσαντι,

To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the present age has been hid in God, who created all matters by Jesus Christ:.

KJV 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:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb phōtisai ('to illuminate, to bring to light') continues the light/darkness theme. The mystery was apokekrymmenou ('having been hidden') — perfect participle indicating long concealment — apo tōn aiōnōn ('from the ages, since eternity'). The mystery's hiding place was en tō theō ('in God') — only God knew the plan. The participial phrase tō ta panta ktisanti ('who created all things') connects the mystery of redemption to creation — the same God who made everything now reveals his plan for reuniting everything.
Ephesians 3:10

ἵνα γνωρισθῇ νῦν ταῖς ἀρχαῖς καὶ ταῖς ἐξουσίαις ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις διὰ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἡ πολυποίκιλος σοφία τοῦ θεοῦ,

God's intent was that now, through the church, the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms would come to know his wisdom in all its rich variety.

KJV To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. This is one of the most remarkable verses in Ephesians: the church is God's instrument for instructing cosmic powers. The adjective polypoikilos ('many-colored, multi-faceted, richly varied') is extremely rare — used for elaborately embroidered fabric. God's wisdom is not monochrome but endlessly complex and beautiful. The 'rulers and authorities in the heavenly places' (tais archais kai tais exousiais en tois epouraniois) are spiritual beings who learn about God's wisdom by observing what he does in the church. The reconciliation of Jew and Gentile into one body is the curriculum.
Ephesians 3:11

κατὰ πρόθεσιν τῶν αἰώνων ἣν ἐποίησεν ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν,

This was according to the eternal purpose that he carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase prothesin tōn aiōnōn ('purpose of the ages, eternal purpose') frames God's plan as spanning all of history. The verb epoiēsen ('he made, he carried out') indicates that this eternal purpose has been realized — it is accomplished fact, not merely intention. Christ Jesus is both the sphere and the agent of this accomplishment.
Ephesians 3:12

ἐν ᾧ ἔχομεν τὴν παρρησίαν καὶ προσαγωγὴν ἐν πεποιθήσει διὰ τῆς πίστεως αὐτοῦ.

In him, and through faith in him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The word parrēsia ('boldness, freedom of speech, confidence') was used for the right of a citizen to speak openly in the assembly. The word prosagōgē ('access, introduction') repeats from 2:18. The phrase en pepoithēsei ('with confidence, in trust') intensifies the access — believers approach God not with cringing fear but with bold assurance. The phrase dia tēs pisteōs autou ('through his faithfulness/through faith in him') again raises the subjective/objective genitive question.
Ephesians 3:13

διὸ αἰτοῦμαι μὴ ἐγκακεῖν ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσίν μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, ἥτις ἐστὶν δόξα ὑμῶν.

So I ask you not to lose heart over my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb aitoumai ('I ask, I request') closes the digression and prepares for the return to prayer. Paul's concern is not his own suffering but the Galatians' potential discouragement at it. The phrase hētis estin doxa hymōn ('which is your glory') reframes Paul's imprisonment: his suffering for their sake is their badge of honor — proof that God considers them worth suffering for.
Ephesians 3:14

Τούτου χάριν κάμπτω τὰ γόνατά μου πρὸς τὸν πατέρα,

For this reason I kneel before the Father,

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Paul resumes the prayer interrupted at verse 1. The phrase kamptō ta gonata mou ('I bend my knees') is notable because Jews typically stood to pray; kneeling indicated extraordinary intensity or urgency. The preposition pros ('toward, before') indicates movement toward the Father in prayer.
Ephesians 3:15

ἐξ οὗ πᾶσα πατριὰ ἐν οὐρανοῖς καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς ὀνομάζεται,

Of whom the entire family in the heavens above and earth is named,.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. There is a wordplay between patēr ('father') and patria ('family, clan, lineage'). Every family — heavenly and earthly, angelic and human — takes its identity from the one Father. The phrase en ouranois kai epi gēs ('in heaven and on earth') encompasses the entire created order.
Ephesians 3:16

ἵνα δῷ ὑμῖν κατὰ τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ δυνάμει κραταιωθῆναι διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον,

That he would grant you, in keeping with to the riches of all his splendor, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;.

KJV That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The first petition: inner strengthening. The phrase kata to ploutos tēs doxēs autou ('according to the riches of his glory') sets the scale of God's giving — he gives according to the measure of his infinite glory, not according to human capacity. The phrase eis ton esō anthrōpon ('in the inner person') refers to the deepest level of human identity — the self that is being renewed by the Spirit (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:16; Romans 7:22).
Ephesians 3:17

κατοικῆσαι τὸν Χριστὸν διὰ τῆς πίστεως ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν, ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἐρριζωμένοι καὶ τεθεμελιωμένοι,

Indeed, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by way of faith. That you, being rooted and grounded in love,.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The second petition: Christ's indwelling. The verb katoikēsai ('to dwell, to take up permanent residence') is stronger than paroikeō ('to sojourn temporarily'). Christ does not visit the heart — he moves in permanently. The perfect participles errizōmenoi ('having been rooted') and tethemeliōmenoi ('having been established on a foundation') mix botanical and architectural metaphors: love is both the soil and the foundation of the Christian life.
Ephesians 3:18

ἵνα ἐξισχύσητε καταλαβέσθαι σὺν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἁγίοις τί τὸ πλάτος καὶ μῆκος καὶ ὕψος καὶ βάθος,

May be able to grasp together with all of God's people what is the breadth, length, depth, and height;.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The third petition: comprehension of Christ's love. The verb exischysēte ('may have full strength, may be empowered') suggests this comprehension requires supernatural enablement. The four dimensions — platos ('breadth'), mēkos ('length'), hypsos ('height'), bathos ('depth') — describe something immeasurable. The object is unstated — what is four-dimensional? Most likely Christ's love (specified in v. 19), though some suggest the mystery, God's plan, or Christ himself. The phrase syn pasin tois hagiois ('with all the saints') indicates this is not private mysticism but communal knowledge.
Ephesians 3:19

γνῶναί τε τὴν ὑπερβάλλουσαν τῆς γνώσεως ἀγάπην τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἵνα πληρωθῆτε εἰς πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ θεοῦ.

To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you might be overflowing with every one of the fulness of God.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The deliberate paradox: gnōnai ('to know') the love that hyperballousan tēs gnōseōs ('surpasses knowledge'). Paul prays for experiential knowledge of something that transcends intellectual comprehension. The final petition reaches the summit: hina plērōthēte eis pan to plērōma tou theou ('that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God'). The preposition eis ('unto, toward') indicates a goal that is never fully reached — believers are being filled toward God's own fullness. The scope of this prayer is staggering: nothing less than God's own fullness as the measure of human transformation.
Ephesians 3:20

Τῷ δὲ δυναμένῳ ὑπὲρ πάντα ποιῆσαι ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ ὧν αἰτούμεθα ἢ νοοῦμεν κατὰ τὴν δύναμιν τὴν ἐνεργουμένην ἐν ἡμῖν,

Now to the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

KJV 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,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The doxology opens with one of Paul's most exuberant expressions: hyperekperissou ('super-abundantly beyond, immeasurably more'). This compound adverb piles prefix upon prefix: hyper ('beyond') + ek ('out of') + perissou ('abundance'). God's ability exceeds both our requests (aitoumetha, 'we ask') and our imagination (nooumen, 'we conceive, we think'). The power standard is not theoretical but experiential: kata tēn dynamin tēn energoumenēn en hēmin ('according to the power working in us'). The same power that raised Christ (1:19-20) is presently at work in believers.
Ephesians 3:21

αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ καὶ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς πάσας τὰς γενεὰς τοῦ αἰῶνος τῶν αἰώνων· ἀμήν.

To him be splendor in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, present age without end. Amen.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The doxology's unique feature: glory is ascribed en tē ekklēsia kai en Christō Iēsou ('in the church and in Christ Jesus'). The church and Christ are paired as the dual venue of God's glory — an extraordinary elevation of the church's significance. The temporal phrase eis pasas tas geneas tou aiōnos tōn aiōnōn ('unto all the generations of the age of the ages') extends the doxology through all human history and beyond into eternity.
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