A man in a plain wool tunic kneels in prayer on a stone floor, seen from behind, in a shaft of dawn light from an open shuttered window.

The Book of

Ephesians 3

A prisoner explains the secret God kept for ages, then falls to his knees and prays for a love too big to measure.

21 verses≈ 3 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1Every blessingChosen, redeemed and sealed in Christ
2–3One new peopleSaved by grace, brought nearChapter 3
4–6:9Walk worthyUnity, new life, love at home
6:10–24Stand firmThe armor of God and prayer

The Mystery of the Gospel

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

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Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

Paul

Question

Quick question

For ages the mystery was “kept hidden in God.” Now Paul spells it out in one sentence.

What is the mystery Paul says has now been revealed?

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.

Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me

Ephesians 3:8

and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 3:12

So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Reflect

Boldness and confidence

Paul called himself “less than the least of all the saints,” yet he wrote that in Christ “we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.” Do you come to God timidly, as if you might be turned away? What would it look like to come to Him today with the confidence Christ has won for you?

Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians

Paul’s prayer

Whiteboard

Paul’s prayer climbs like a staircase. Strength from the Spirit, so that Christ may make His home in the heart. A life rooted in love, so that together we can take in how vast Christ’s love is. And at the top, “that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

The thick roots of an ancient tree grip a rocky hillside at dawn, the trunk rising into soft morning light.

I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

0:25

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

to know this love that surpasses knowledge

Ephesians 3:19

Ephesians 3:20–21

Pray

Pray it for someone

Paul’s prayer is one you can pray word for word for someone you love. Ask the Father to strengthen them “with power through His Spirit,” that Christ may dwell in their heart through faith, and that they may know “this love that surpasses knowledge.” Then thank Him that He “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”

You’ve experienced

Ephesians 3

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A verse to carry with you

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20–21

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