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Ephesians 3
Disciples’ Literal New Testament

For This Reason, I Paul, a Prisoner of Christ For You Gentiles...

3 For this reason, I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you the Gentiles—

For I Am a Steward of God’s Plan To Make Gentiles Partakers of His Promises

2 ... if indeed you heard-of the stewardship[a] of the grace of God having been given[b] to me for you, 3 that by way of revelation the mystery was made-known to me (just as I wrote-before in brief, 4 with reference to which you are able, while reading, to perceive my understanding in[c] the mystery of Christ) 5 which in other generations was not made-known to the sons of humans as it was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit— 6 that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs and fellow-body-members and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the good-news, 7 of which I was made a minister[d] in-accordance-with the gift of the grace of God having been given[e] to me by-way-of the working of His power.

It Was Granted To Me To Enlighten Everyone To See The Creator’s Long Hidden Plan

8 This grace was given to me, the less-than-least of all saints, that I might announce-as-good-news to the Gentiles the untraceable riches of Christ, 9 and enlighten everyone to see what is the stewardship[f] of the mystery having been hidden from the past ages in God, the One having created all things, 10 so that now the multifaceted wisdom of God might be made-known to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places through the church, 11 in-accordance-with the purpose of the ages[g] which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in Whom we have boldness and access in confidence through faith[h] in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you not lose-heart in connection with my afflictions for-your-sake, which is your glory!

For This Reason I Pray For You To Know The Love of Christ And The Fullness of God

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from Whom the whole[i] family in the heavens and on earth is named, 16 asking that He might grant to you in accordance with the riches of His glory that you be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner person 17 so-that[j] Christ may dwell[k] in your hearts through faith, 18 in-order-that[l] you, having[m] been rooted and founded in love, might be strong-enough[n] to grasp[o] together-with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ surpassing knowledge, in-order-that[p] you might be filled to all the fullness of God.

To God Be The Glory

20 Now to the One being able to do super-abundantly beyond all of the things which we ask or think[q] according to the power being at-work[r] in us— 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations forever and ever, amen.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 3:2 That is, the position of management responsibility; or, the arrangement or mode of operation in which Paul served.
  2. Ephesians 3:2 That is, the grace... given.
  3. Ephesians 3:4 That is, in connection with the mystery concerning Christ.
  4. Ephesians 3:7 Or, servant.
  5. Ephesians 3:7 That is, the grace... given.
  6. Ephesians 3:9 That is, mode of operation, arrangement.
  7. Ephesians 3:11 the purpose of the ages. Or, the eternal purpose.
  8. Ephesians 3:12 through faith in Him. Or, through His faithfulness.
  9. Ephesians 3:15 the whole. Or, every.
  10. Ephesians 3:17 so that. Or, that, parallel with ‘that you be strengthened’.
  11. Ephesians 3:17 Or, reside, live, have His home.
  12. Ephesians 3:18 in order that. Or, that, making this a second main thing he is ‘asking that’.
  13. Ephesians 3:18 having been ... in love. In the Greek word order, this phrase precedes ‘in order that you’ (it is part of v 17), making it emphatic.
  14. Ephesians 3:18 Or, fully able.
  15. Ephesians 3:18 Or, comprehend, lay hold of. Paul may be referring to the dimensions of God’s plan and wisdom (v 10); or, the dimensions of Christ’s love.
  16. Ephesians 3:19 in order that. Or, that, making this a third main thing he is ‘asking that’.
  17. Ephesians 3:20 Or, understand, imagine, perceive.
  18. Ephesians 3:20 Or, in-operation.
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Ephesians 3
New International Version

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner(A) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me(B) for you, 3 that is, the mystery(C) made known to me by revelation,(D) as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight(E) into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.(F) 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs(G) together with Israel, members together of one body,(H) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.(I)

7 I became a servant of this gospel(J) by the gift of God’s grace given me(K) through the working of his power.(L) 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,(M) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles(N) the boundless riches of Christ,(O) 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,(P) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God(Q) should be made known(R) to the rulers and authorities(S) in the heavenly realms,(T) 11 according to his eternal purpose(U) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God(V) with freedom and confidence.(W) 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel(X) before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches(Y) he may strengthen you with power(Z) through his Spirit in your inner being,(AA) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts(AB) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted(AC) and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,(AD) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep(AE) is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge(AF)—that you may be filled(AG) to the measure of all the fullness of God.(AH)

20 Now to him who is able(AI) to do immeasurably more than all we ask(AJ) or imagine, according to his power(AK) that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.(AL)

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).
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