Bible Reading Plan

Ephesians 3

Chapter 3

Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles

¹ For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner^(a) of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— ² you have heard, haven't you, about the administration of God's grace that He gave to me for you? ³ The mystery was made known to me by revelation,^(b) as I have briefly written above. ⁴ By reading this you are able to understand my insight about the mystery of the Messiah.^{(c) 5} This was not made known to people^[a] in other generations as it is now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets^(d) by the Spirit: ⁶ The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners of the promise^(e) in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ⁷ I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace that was given to me by the working of His power.^(f)

⁸ This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches^(g) of the Messiah, ⁹ and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created^(h) all things. ¹⁰ This is so God's multi-faceted wisdom⁽ⁱ⁾ may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens.^{(j) 11} This is according to His eternal purpose^(k) accomplished in the Messiah, Jesus our Lord. ¹² In Him we have boldness and confident access^(l) through faith in Him.^{[b] 13} So then I ask you not to be discouraged^(m) over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.⁽ⁿ⁾

Prayer for Spiritual Power

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(o) before the Father^{[c] 15} from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. ¹⁶ I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches^(p) of His glory,^(q) to be strengthened with power^(r) in the inner man^(s) through His Spirit, ¹⁷ and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love,^{(t) 19} and to know the Messiah's love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to Him who is able^(u) to do above and beyond all that we ask or think^(v) according to the power^(w) that works in us— ²¹ to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.^(x)