Chapter Reflection

Paul speaks as a prisoner, yet the chapter is full of widening, not narrowing: a hidden mystery is now unveiled, and Gentiles are brought near as fellow heirs and members of one body. What had been concealed from former ages is now displayed not only to people, but even to the heavenly powers, as the Church becomes the place where God’s many-sided wisdom shines. Paul’s own smallness only throws the grace into relief: he is less than the least, yet entrusted with the unsearchable riches of Christ and made a servant of that revelation. The prayer turns from announcement to indwelling, asking that the Father strengthen the inner person, that Christ may dwell in the heart, and that love may become the ground in which one is rooted and made capable of receiving what exceeds knowledge. The chapter ends in abundance — power at work within, fullness beyond measure, glory in the Church — so that God appears not as distant but as One who gathers, strengthens, fills, and makes living access possible.

mystery revealedone bodyinner strengtheningindwelling Christfullness in love

Ephesians 3

1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5Which in 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;

6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

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

14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Who God is

Who is God, if he is the One who hid this mystery and now fills his people with a love larger than knowledge?

The condition of man

Who are you, if your truest life is to be strengthened within, rooted in love, and made capable of receiving more than you can think?