Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, January 30th, 2025
the Third Week after Epiphany
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Read the Bible

International Standard Version

Ephesians 3

   |   

1 For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.[xr] 2 Surely you have heard about the responsibility of administering God's grace that was given to me on your behalf,[xr] 3 and how this secret was made known to me through a revelation, just as I wrote about briefly in the past.[xr] 4 By reading this, you will be able to grasp my understanding of the secret about Christ,[xr] 5 which in previous generations was not made known to human beings[fn] as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's[fn] holy apostles and prophets:[xr] 6 The Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow sharers of what was promised[fn] in Christ Jesus through the gospel.[xr] 7 I have become a servant of this gospel[fn] according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power.[xr] 8 To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given so that I might proclaim to the Gentiles the immeasurable wealth of Christ[xr] 9 and help everyone see how this secret, which was hidden for ages in God who created all things, has been at work.[xr] 10 He did this[fn] so that now, through the church, the wisdom of God in all its variety might be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm[xr] 11 in keeping with the eternal purpose that God[fn] carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord,[xr] 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through his faithfulness.[fn][xr] 13 So then, I ask you not to become discouraged because of my troubles on your behalf, which are your glory.[xr]

14 This is the reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,[fn] 15 from whom every family[fn] in heaven and on earth receives its name.[xr] 16 I pray[fn] that he would give you, according to his glorious riches, strength in your inner being and power through his Spirit,[xr] 17 and that Christ would make his home in your hearts through faith. Then, having been rooted and grounded in love,[xr] 18 you will be able to understand, along with all the saints, what is wide, long, high, and deep[xr] - 19 that is, you will know the love of Christ, which goes far beyond knowledge, and will be filled with all the fullness of God.[xr] 20 Now to the one who can do infinitely more than all we can ask or imagine according to the power that is working among[fn] us[xr] - 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever! Amen.[xr]

 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile