Ephesians 3

The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles - 2 if indeed you have heard of the 1 dispensation of the grace of God a which was given to me for you, 3 b how that by revelation c He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles d should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

7 e of which I became a minister f according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by g the effective working of His power. 8 To me, h who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles i the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the 2 fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who j created all things 3 through Jesus Christ; 10 k to the intent that now l the 4 manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church m to the 5 principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 n according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access o with confidence through faith in Him. 13 p Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, q which is your glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Strength

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the r Father 6 of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, s according to the riches of His glory, t to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in u the inner man, 17 v that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, w being rooted and grounded in love, 18 x may be able to comprehend with all the saints y what is the width and length and depth and height - 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled z with all the fullness of God.

20 Now a to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly b above all that we ask or think, c according to the power that works in us, 21 d to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 9:15
    But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 22:17
    Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance
    Acts 22:21
    "Then He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.'"
    Acts 26:16
    But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
  3. Cross References
    Romans 11:25
    For I do not desire, brethren, that you should ...
    Romans 16:25
    Now to Him who is able to establish you accordi...
    Ephesians 3:4
    By which, when you read, you may understand my ...
    Ephesians 3:9
    And to make all see what is the fellowship of t...
    Ephesians 6:19
    And for me, that utterance may be given to me, ...
    Colossians 1:26
    The mystery which has been hidden from ages and...
    Colossians 4:3
    Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would o...
  4. Cross References
    Galatians 3:28
    There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
    Galatians 3:29
    And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
  5. Cross References
    Romans 15:16
    That I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
  6. Cross References
    Romans 1:5
    Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name.
  7. Cross References
    Romans 15:18
    For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient -
  8. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:9
    For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
  9. Cross References
    Colossians 1:27
    To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
    Colossians 2:2
    That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ.
    Colossians 2:3
    In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
  10. Cross References
    John 1:3
    All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
    Colossians 1:16
    For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
    Hebrews 1:2
    Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.
  11. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:12
    To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven - things which angels desire to look into.
  12. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:16
    And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
  13. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:21
    Far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
    Ephesians 6:12
    For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
    Colossians 1:16
    For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
    Colossians 2:10
    And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
    Colossians 2:15
    Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
  14. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:4
    Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
    Ephesians 1:11
    In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.
  15. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:4
    And we have such trust through Christ toward God.
    Hebrews 4:16
    Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of g...
    Hebrews 10:19
    Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter t...
    Hebrews 10:35
    Therefore do not cast away your confidence, whi...
    1 John 2:28
    And now, little children, abide in Him, that wh...
    1 John 3:21
    Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we h...
  16. Cross References
    Philippians 1:14
    And most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
  17. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:6
    Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
  18. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:3
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
  19. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:7
    In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
    Ephesians 2:4
    But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us.
    Philippians 4:19
    And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
  20. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:13
    Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
    Philippians 4:13
    I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
    Colossians 1:11
    Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.
  21. Cross References
    Romans 7:22
    For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
  22. Cross References
    John 14:23
    Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
    Romans 8:9
    But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
    2 Corinthians 13:5
    Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are disqualified.
    Ephesians 2:22
    In whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
  23. Cross References
    Colossians 1:23
    If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
  24. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:18
    The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
  25. Cross References
    Romans 8:39
    Nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  26. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:23
    Which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
  27. Cross References
    Romans 16:25
    Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began
  28. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:9
    But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.
  29. Cross References
    Colossians 1:29
    To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
  30. Cross References
    Romans 11:36
    For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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