Ephesians 3 / 6
- 1
(The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed)
For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles--
- 2
assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,
- 3
how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
- 4
When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
- 5
which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
- 6
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
- 7
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
- 8
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
- 9
and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,
- 10
so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
- 11
This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
- 12
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
- 13
So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
- 14(Prayer for Spiritual Strength)
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
- 15
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
- 16
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
- 17
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
- 18
may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
- 19
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
- 20
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
- 21
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.