Efésios 3

¹ ForHe maintains his apostleship against the offence of the cross, upon which he also makes an argument to confirm himself, affirming that he was not only appointed an apostle by the mercy of God, but was also appointed particularly to the Gentiles. And this was to call them everywhere to salvation, because God had so determined this from the beginning, although he deferred a great while the manifestation of his counsel.this cause I Paul,These words, «the prisoner of Jesus Christ», are taken passively, that is to say, «I, Paul, am cast into prison for maintaining the glory of Christ.»the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

² If ye haue heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is giuen me to you warde,

³ That is, that God by reuelation hath shewed this mysterie vnto me (as I wrote aboue in fewe wordes,

⁴ Whereby when ye reade, ye may knowe mine vnderstanding in the mysterie of Christ)

⁵ Which inHe does not mean that no one knew of the calling of the Gentiles before, but because very few knew of it. And those that did know it, such as the prophets, had it revealed to them very obscurely, and by means of symbols.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;

⁶ That the Gentiles should be inheriters also, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel,

⁷ Whereof I am made a minister by the gift of the grace of God giuen vnto me through the effectuall working of his power.

⁸ Euen vnto me the least of all Saints is this grace giuen, that I should preach among the Gentiles the vnsearchable riches of Christ,

⁹ And to make cleare vnto all men what the felowship of the mysterie is, which from the beginning of the world hath bene hid in God, who hath created all things by Iesus Christ,

¹⁰ The unsuspected calling of the Gentiles was as it were a mirror to the heavenly angels, in which they might behold the marvellous wisdom of God.To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church theGod always had only one way to save men by: but it had various shapes and forms.manifold wisdom of God,

¹¹ According to theWhich was before all things.eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

¹² By whom we haue boldenes and entrance with confidence, by faith in him.

¹³ Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for your sakes, which is your glory.

¹⁴ He teaches by his own example that the efficacy of the doctrine depends upon the grace of God, and therefore we ought to join prayers with the preaching and hearing of the word. And these are needful not only to those who are youngsters in religion, but even to the oldest also, that as they grow up more and more by faith in Christ, and are confirmed with all spiritual gifts, they may be grounded and rooted in the knowledge of that immeasurable love, with which God the Father has loved us in Christ. And this is because the whole family, of which a part is already received into heaven, and part is yet here on earth, depends upon that adoption of the heavenly Father, in his only Son.For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁵ Of whom the wholeThat entire people, who had but one household Father, and that is the Church which is adopted in Christ.family in heaven and earth is named,

¹⁶ That he would grant you, according to theAccording to the greatness of his mercy.riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in theSee (Rom_7:22).inner man;

¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded inWith which God loves us, which is the root of our election.love,

¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saintsHow perfect that work of Christ is in every part.what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

¹⁹ And to know theWhich God has shown us in Christ.love of Christ, whichWhich surpasses all the capacity of man's intellect, to comprehend it fully in his mind: for otherwise whoever has the Spirit of God perceives as much (according to the measure that God has given him) as is necessary for salvation.passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all theSo that we have abundantly in us whatever things are required to make us perfect with God.fulness of God.

²⁰ He breaks forth into a thanksgiving, by which the Ephesians also may be strengthened and encouraged to hope for anything from God.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,

²¹ Be prayse in the Church by Christ Iesus, throughout all generations for euer, Amen.