1For thisG5127 causeG5484 IG1473 PaulG3972, the prisonerG1198 of JesusG2424 ChristG5547 forG5228 youG5216 GentilesG1484, 2IfG1489 ye have heardG191 of the dispensationG3622 of the graceG5485 of GodG2316 whichG3588 is givenG1325 meG3427 onG1519 your accountG5209: 3ThatG3754 byG2596 revelationG602 he made knownG1107 to meG3427 the mysteryG3466; (asG2531 I wrote beforeG4270 inG1722 few wordsG3641, 4ByG4314 whichG3739, when ye readG314, ye mayG1410 understandG3539 myG3450 knowledgeG4907 inG1722 the mysteryG3466 of ChristG5547) 5WhichG3739 inG1722 otherG2087 agesG1074 wasG1107 notG3756 made knownG1107 to the sonsG5207 of menG444, asG5613 it isG601 nowG3568 revealedG601 to hisG846 holyG40 apostlesG652 andG2532 prophetsG4396 byG1722 the SpiritG4151; 6That the GentilesG1484 should beG1511 joint–heirsG4789, andG2532 of the same bodyG4954, andG2532 partakersG4830 of hisG846 promiseG1860 inG1722 ChristG5547 byG1223 the gospelG2098: 7Of whichG3739 I was madeG1096 a ministerG1249, accordingG2596 to the giftG1431 of the graceG5485 of GodG2316 givenG1325 to meG3427 byG2596 the effectual workingG1753 of hisG846 powerG1411. 8To meG1698, who am less than the leastG1647 of allG3956 saintsG40, isG1325 thisG3778 graceG5485 givenG1325, that I should preachG2097 amongG1722 the GentilesG1484 the unsearchableG421 richesG4149 of ChristG5547; 9AndG2532 to makeG5461 allG3956 men seeG5461 whatG5101 is the fellowshipG2842 of the mysteryG3466, whichG3588 fromG575 the beginning of the worldG165 hath been hidG613 inG1722 GodG2316, whoG3588 createdG2936 all thingsG3956 byG1223 JesusG2424 ChristG5547: 10To the intent thatG2443 nowG3568 to the principalitiesG746 andG2532 powersG1849 inG1722 heavenlyG2032 places might be knownG1107 byG1223 the churchG1577 the manifoldG4182 wisdomG4678 of GodG2316, 11According toG2596 the eternalG165 purposeG4286 whichG3739 he purposedG4160 inG1722 ChristG5547 JesusG2424 ourG2257 LordG2962: 12InG1722 whomG3739 we haveG2192 boldnessG3954 andG2532 accessG4318 withG1722 confidenceG4006 byG1223 the faithG4102 of himG846. 13ThereforeG1352 I desireG154 that ye faintG1573 notG3361 atG1722 myG3450 tribulationsG2347 forG5228 youG5216, whichG3748 isG2076 yourG5216 gloryG1391. 14For thisG5127 causeG5484 I bowG2578 myG3450 kneesG1119 toG4314 the FatherG3962 of ourG2257 LordG2962 JesusG2424 ChristG5547, 15OfG1537 whomG3739 the wholeG3956 familyG3965 inG1722 heavenG3772 andG2532 earthG1909 G1093 is namedG3687, 16ThatG2443 he would grantG1325 youG5213, according toG2596 the richesG4149 of hisG846 gloryG1391, to be strengthenedG2901 with mightG1411 byG1223 hisG846 SpiritG4151 inG1519 the innerG2080 manG444; 17That ChristG5547 may dwellG2730 inG1722 yourG5216 heartsG2588 byG1223 faithG4102; thatG2443 ye, being rootedG4492 andG2532 groundedG2311 inG1722 loveG26, 18May be ableG1840 to comprehendG2638 withG4862 allG3956 saintsG40 whatG5101 is the breadthG4114, andG2532 lengthG3372, andG2532 depthG899, andG2532 heightG5311; 19AndG5037 to knowG1097 the loveG26 of ChristG5547, which passethG5235 knowledgeG1108, thatG2443 ye may be filledG4137 withG1519 allG3956 the fulnessG4138 of GodG2316. 20NowG1161 to him that is ableG1410 to doG4160 exceedingG5228 abundantlyG1537 G4053 aboveG5228 allG3956 thatG3739 we askG154 orG2228 thinkG3539, according toG2596 the powerG1411 that workethG1754 inG1722 usG2254, 21To himG846 be gloryG1391 inG1722 the churchG1577 byG1722 ChristG5547 JesusG2424 throughoutG1519 allG3956 agesG1074, worldG165 without endG165. AmenG281.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 HIS APOSTOLIC OFFICE TO MAKE KNOWN THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST REVEALED BY THE SPIRIT: PRAYER THAT BY THE SAME SPIRIT THEY MAY COMPREHEND THE VAST LOVE OF CHRIST: DOXOLOGY ENDING THIS DIVISION OF THE EPISTLE. (Eph. 3:1-21)
of Jesus Christ--Greek, "Christ Jesus." The office is the prominent thought in the latter arrangement; the person, in the former. He here marks the Messiahship of "Christ," maintained by him as the origin of his being a "prisoner," owing to the jealousy of the Jews being roused at his preaching it to the Gentiles. His very bonds were profitable to ("for" or "in behalf of you") Gentiles (
Eph 3:13;
2Tim 2:10). He digresses at "For this cause," and does not complete the sentence which he had intended, until
Eph 3:14, where he resumes the words, "For this cause," namely, because I know this your call of God as Gentiles (
Eph 2:11-
Eph 2:22), to be "fellow-heirs" with the Jews (
Eph 3:6), "I bow my knees to" the Father of our common Saviour (
Eph 3:14-
Eph 3:15) to confirm you in the faith by His Spirit. "I Paul," expresses the agent employed by the Spirit to enlighten them, after he had been first enlightened himself by the same Spirit (
Eph 3:3-
Eph 3:5,
Eph 3:9).
2 If--The Greek does not imply doubt: "Assuming (what I know to be the fact, namely) that ye have heard," &c. "If, as I presume," The indicative in the Greek shows that no doubt is implied: "Seeing that doubtless," &c. He by this phrase delicately reminds them of their having heard from himself, and probably from others subsequently, the fact. See Introduction, showing that these words do not disprove the address of this Epistle to the Ephesians. Compare
Acts 20:17-
Acts 20:24.
the dispensation--"The office of dispensing, as a steward, the grace of God which was (not 'is') given me to you-ward," namely, to dispense to you.
3 he made known--The oldest manuscripts read, "That by revelation was the mystery (namely, of the admission of the Gentiles,
Eph 3:6;
Eph 1:9) made known unto me (
Gal 1:12)."
as I wrote afore--namely, in this Epistle (
Eph 1:9-
Eph 1:10), the words of which he partly repeats.
4 understand my knowledge--"perceive my understanding" [ALFORD], or "intelligence." "When ye read," implies that, deep as are the mysteries of this Epistle, the way for all to understand them is to read it (
2Tim 3:15-16). By perceiving his understanding of the mysteries, they, too, will be enabled to understand.
the mystery of Christ--The "mystery" is Christ Himself, once hidden, but now revealed (
Col 1:27).
5 in other ages--Greek, "generations."
not made known--He does not say, "has not been revealed." Making known by revelation is the source of making known by preaching [BENGEL]. The former was vouchsafed only to the prophets, in order that they might make known the truth so revealed to men in general.
unto the sons of men--men in their state by birth, as contrasted with those illuminated "by the Spirit" (Greek, "IN the Spirit," compare
Rev 1:10),
Matt 16:17.
as--The mystery of the call of the Gentiles (of which Paul speaks here) was not unknown to the Old Testament prophets (
Isa 56:6-
Isa 56:7;
Isa 49:6). But they did not know it with the same explicit distinctness "As" it has been now known (
Acts 10:19-
Acts 10:20;
Acts 11:18-
Acts 11:21). They probably did not know that the Gentiles were to be admitted without circumcision or that they were to be on a level with the Jews in partaking of the grace of God. The gift of "the Spirit" in its fulness was reserved for the New Testament that Christ might thereby be glorified. The epithet, "holy," marks the special consecration of the New Testament "prophets" (who are here meant) by the Spirit, compared with which even the Old Testament prophets were but "sons of men" (
Ezek 2:3, and elsewhere).
6 Translate, "That the Gentiles are," &c. "and fellow members of the same body, and fellow partakers of the (so the oldest manuscripts read, not 'HIS') promise, in Christ Jesus (added in the oldest manuscripts), through the Gospel." It is "in Christ Jesus" that they are made "fellow heirs" in the inheritance of GOD: "of the same body" under the Head, CHRIST JESUS; and "fellow partakers of the promise" in the communion of THE HOLY SPIRIT (
Eph 1:13;
Heb 6:4). The Trinity is thus alluded to, as often elsewhere in this Epistle (
Eph 2:19-
Eph 2:20,
Eph 2:22).
7 Whereof--"of which" Gospel.
according to--in consequence of, and in accordance with, "the gift of the grace of God."
given--"which (gift of grace) was given to me by (Greek, 'according to,' as in
Eph 3:20;
Eph 1:19 : as the result of, and in proportion to) the effectual working (Greek, 'energy,' or 'in-working') of His power."
8 am--Not merely was I in times past, but I still am the least worthy of so high an office (compare
1Tim 1:15, end).
least of all saints--not merely "of all apostles" (
1Cor 15:9-10).
is--Greek, "has been given."
among--omitted in the oldest manuscripts Translate, "to announce to the Gentiles the glad tidings of the unsearchable (
Job 5:9) riches," namely, of Christ's grace (
Eph 1:7;
Eph 2:7).
Rom 11:33, "unsearchable" as a mine inexhaustible, whose treasures can never be fully explored (
Eph 3:18-
Eph 3:19).
9 to make all men see--Greek, "to enlighten all" (
Eph 1:18;
Ps 18:28;
Heb 6:4). "All" (compare
Col 1:28).
fellowship--The oldest manuscripts read, "economy," or "dispensation" (compare
Col 1:25-
Col 1:26; and see on
Eph 1:10, above). "To make all see how it hath seemed good to God at this time to dispense (through me and others, His stewards) what heretofore was a mystery." ELLICOTT explains it, "the arrangement," or "regulation" of the mystery (the union of Jews and Gentiles in Christ) which was now to be humbly traced and acknowledged in the fact of its having secretly existed in the counsel of God, and now having been revealed to the heavenly powers by means of the Church.
from the beginning of the world--Greek, "from (the beginning of) the ages." Compare
Eph 1:4;
Rom 16:25;
1Cor 2:7. The "ages" are the vast successive periods of time, marked by successive stages of creation and orders of beings.
in God--"hidden in" His counsels (
Eph 1:9).
created all things by Jesus Christ--God's creation of the world and all things therein is the foundation of the rest of the "economy," which is freely dispensed according to the universal power of God [BENGEL]. AS God created "the whole range of things" (so the Greek), physical and spiritual alike, He must have an absolute right to adjust all things as He will. Hence, we may see His right to keep the mystery of world-wide salvation in Christ "hidden in Himself," till his own good time for revealing it. The oldest manuscripts omit "by Jesus Christ."
10 The design of God in giving Paul grace to proclaim to the Gentiles the mystery of salvation heretofore hidden.
now--first: opposed to "hidden from the beginning of the world" (
Eph 3:5).
unto the principalities and--Greek adds "the"
powers--unto the various orders of good angels primarily, as these dwell "in the heavenly places" in the highest sense; "known" to their adoring joy (
1Tim 3:16;
1Pet 1:12). Secondarily, God's wisdom in redemption is made known to evil angels, who dwell "in heavenly places" in a lower sense, namely, the air (compare
Eph 2:2 with
Eph 6:12); "known" to their dismay (
1Cor 15:24;
Col 2:15).
might be known--Translate, "may be known."
by the church--"by means of," or "through the Church," which is the "theater" for the display of God's manifold wisdom (
Luke 15:10;
1Cor 4:9): "a spectacle (Greek, 'theater') to angels." Hence, angels are but our "fellow servants" (
Rev 19:10).
manifold wisdom--though essentially one, as Christ is one, yet varying the economy in respect to places, times, and persons (
Isa 55:8-
Isa 55:9;
Heb 1:1). Compare
1Pet 4:10, "stewards of the manifold grace of God." Man cannot understand aright its single acts till he can survey them as a connected whole (
1Cor 13:12). The call of the Church is no haphazard remedy, or afterthought, but part of the eternal scheme, which, amidst manifold varieties of dispensation, is one in its end.
11 which he purposed--Greek, "made." ELLICOTT translates, "wrought."
12 Translate, "our boldness and our access (
Eph 2:18) in confidence through our faith in Him." ALFORD quotes as an instance,
Rom 8:38, &c. "THE access" (Greek) implies the formal introduction into the presence of a monarch.
13 "I entreat you not to be dispirited."
for you--in your behalf.
which is--rather, "which are your glory," namely, inasmuch as showing that God loved you so much, as both to give His Son for you, and to permit His apostles to suffer "tribulations" for you [CHRYSOSTOM] in preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. See on
Eph 3:1, "prisoner for you Gentiles." My tribulations are your spiritual "glory," as your faith is furthered thereby (
1Cor 4:10).
14 For this cause--Resuming the thread of
Eph 3:1, "For this cause." Because ye have such a standing in God's Church [ALFORD].
bow my knees--the proper attitude in humble prayer. Posture affects the mind, and is not therefore unimportant. See Paul's practice (
Acts 20:36); and that of the Lord Himself on earth (
Luke 22:41).
unto the Father--The oldest manuscripts omit "of our Lord Jesus Christ." But Vulgate and some very old authorities retain them:
Eph 3:15, "From whom," in either case, refers to "the Father" (Patera), as "family" (patria, akin in sound and etymology) plainly refers to Him. Still the foundation of all sonship is in Jesus Christ.
15 the whole family--ALFORD, MIDDLETON, and others translate, "every family": alluding to the several families in heaven and in earth supposed to exist [THEOPHYLACT, Ćcumenius, in SUICER, 2.633], the apostle thus being supposed to imply that God, in His relation of Father to us His adopted children, is the great prototype of the paternal relation wherever found. But the idea that "the holy angels are bound up in spiritual families or compaternities," is nowhere else in Scripture referred to. And
Acts 2:36, where the article is similarly omitted, and yet the translation is, "All the house of Israel," shows that in New Testament Greek the translation is justifiable, "all the family," or "the whole family": which accords with Scripture views, that angels and men, the saints militant and those with God, are one holy family joined under the one Father in Christ, the mediator between heaven and earth (
Eph 1:10;
Phil 2:10). Hence angels are termed our "brethren" (
Rev 19:10), and "sons of God" by creation, as we are by adoption (
Job 38:7). The Church is part of the grand family, or kingdom, which comprehends, besides men, the higher spiritual world, where the archetype, to the realization of which redeemed man is now tending, is already realized. This universal idea of the "kingdom" of God as one divine community, is presented to us in the Lord's Prayer. By sin men were estranged, not only from God, but from that higher spiritual world in which the kingdom of God is already realized. As Christ when He reconciled men to God, united them to one another in a divine community (joined to Himself, the one Head), breaking down the partition wall between Jew and Gentile (
Eph 2:14), so also He joins them in communion with all those who have already attained that perfection in the kingdom of God, to which the Church on earth is aspiring (
Col 1:20) [NEANDER].
is named--derives its origin and its name as sons of God. To be named, and to be, are one with God. To bear God's name is to belong to God as His own peculiar people (
Num 6:27;
Isa 43:7;
Isa 44:5;
Rom 9:25-
Rom 9:26).
16 according to--that is in abundance consonant to the riches of His glory; not "according to" the narrowness of our hearts.
Col 1:11, "Strengthened with all might according to His glorious power."
by--Greek, "through"; "by means of His Spirit."
in--The Greek implies, "infused into."
the inner man-- (
Eph 4:22,
Eph 4:24;
1Pet 3:4); "the hidden man of the heart." Not predicated of unbelievers, whose inward and outward man alike are carnal. But in believers, the "inner (new) man," their true self, stands in contrast to their old man, which is attached to them as a body of death daily being mortified, but not their true self.
17 That--So that.
dwell--abidingly make His abode (
John 14:23). Where the Spirit is there Christ is (
John 14:16,
John 14:18).
by faith--Greek, "through faith," which opens the door of the heart to Jesus (
John 3:20). It is not enough that He be on the tongue, or flit through the brain: the heart is His proper seat [CALVIN]. "You being rooted and grounded in love" (compare
Eph 3:19), is in the Greek connected with this clause, not with the clause, "that ye may be able to comprehend." "Rooted" is an image from a tree; "grounded" (Greek, "founder," "having your foundations resting on"), from a building (compare Notes,, see on
Eph 2:20-
Eph 2:21;
Col 1:23;
Col 2:7). Contrast
Matt 13:6,
Matt 13:21. "Love," the first-fruit of the Spirit, flowing from Christ's love realized in the soul, was to be the basis on which should rest their further comprehension of all the vastness of Christ's love.
18 May be able--even still further. Greek, "May be fully able."
breadth . . . length . . . depth . . . height--namely, the full dimensions of the spiritual temple, answering to "the fulness of God" (
Eph 3:19), to which the Church, according to its capacity, ought to correspond (compare
Eph 4:10,
Eph 4:13) as to "the fulness of Christ." The "breadth" implies Christ's world-wide love, embracing all men: the "length," its being extended through all ages (
Eph 3:21); the "depth," its profound wisdom which no creature can fathom (
Rom 11:33); the "height," its being beyond the reach of any foe to deprive us of (
Eph 4:8) [BENGEL]. I prefer to understand "the breadth," &c., to refer to the whole of the vast mystery of free salvation in Christ for all, Gentile and Jew alike, of which Paul had been speaking (
Eph 3:3-
Eph 3:9), and of which he now prays they may have a fuller comprehension. As subsidiary to this, and the most essential part of it, he adds, "and to know the love of Christ" (
Eph 3:19). GROTIUS understands depth and height of God's goodness raising us from the lowest depression to the greatest height.
19 passeth--surpasseth, exceeds. The paradox "to know . . . which passeth knowledge," implies that when he says "know," he does not mean that we can adequately know; all we know is, that His love exceeds far our knowledge of it, and with even our fresh accessions of knowledge hereafter, will still exceed them. Even as God's power exceeds our thoughts (
Eph 3:20).
filled with--rather, as Greek, "filled even unto all the fulness of God" (this is the grand goal), that is, filled, each according to your capacity, with the divine wisdom, knowledge, and love; "even as God is full," and as Christ who dwells in your hearts, hath "all the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in Him bodily" (
Col 2:9).
20 unto him--contrasted with ourselves and our needs. Translate, "that is able above all things (what is above all things) to do exceeding abundantly above what we ask or (even) think": thought takes a wider range than prayers. The word, above, occurs thrice as often in Paul's writings, as in all the rest of the New Testament, showing the warm exuberance of Paul's spirit.
according to the power--the indwelling Spirit (
Rom 8:26). He appeals to their and his experience.
21 Translate, "Unto Him be the glory (that is, the whole glory of the gracious dispensation of salvation just spoken of) in the Church (as the theater for the manifestation of the glory,
Eph 3:10) in Christ Jesus (as in Him all the glory centers,
Zech 6:13) to all the generations of eternal ages," literally, "of the age of the ages." Eternity is conceived as consisting of "ages" (these again consisting of "generations") endlessly succeeding one another.