Ephesians

1611 King James Version (KJV)

 

Ephesians
Chapter 3

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

2 If ye haue heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is giuen me to youward:

3 How that by reuelation hee made knowen vnto me the mysterie, (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby when ye reade, ye may vnderstand my knowledge in the mysterie of Christ.)

5 Which in other ages was not made knowen vnto the sonnes of men, as it is now reueiled vnto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit,

6 That the Gentiles should be fellow heires, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ, by the Gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a Minister, according to the gift of the grace of God giuen vnto mee, by the effectuall working of his power.

8 Unto mee, who am lesse then the least of all Saints, is this grace giuen, that I should preach among the Gentiles the vnsearchable riches of Christ,

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

10 To the intent that now vnto the principalities and powers in heauenly places, might be knowen by the church, the manifold wisedome of God,

11 According to the eternall purpose which he purposed in Christ Iesus our Lord:

12 In whom we haue boldnesse and accesse, with confidence, by the faith of him.

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

14 For this cause I bow my knees vnto the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ,

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

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

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that yee being rooted and grounded in loue,

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

19 And to know the loue of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that yee might bee filled with all the fulnesse of God.

20 Now vnto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly aboue all that wee aske or thinke, according to the power that worketh in vs,

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

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Commentary for Ephesians 3

The apostle sets forth his office, and his qualifications for it, and his call to it. (1-7) Also the noble purposes answered by it. (8-12) He prays for the Ephesians. (13-19) And adds a thanksgiving. (20,21)1-7 For having preached the doctrine of truth, the apostle was a prisoner, but a prisoner of Jesus Christ; the object of special protection and care, while thus suffering for him. All the gracious offers of the gospel, and the joyful tidings it contains, come from the rich grace of God; it is the great means by which the Spirit works grace in the souls of men. The mystery, is that secret, hidden purpose of salvation through Christ. This was not so fully and clearly shown in the ages before Christ, as unto the prophets of the New Testament. This was the great truth made known to the apostle, that God would call the Gentiles to salvation by faith in Christ. An effectual working of Divine power attends the gifts of Divine grace. As God appointed Paul to the office, so he qualified him for it.

8-12 Those whom God advances to honourable employments, he makes low in their own eyes; and where God gives grace to be humble, there he gives all other needful grace. How highly he speaks of Jesus Christ; the unsearchable riches of Christ! Though many are not enriched with these riches; yet how great a favour to have them preached among us, and to have an offer of them! And if we are not enriched with them it is our own fault. The first creation, when God made all things out of nothing, and the new creation, whereby sinners are made new creatures by converting grace, are of God by Jesus Christ. His riches are as unsearchable and as sure as ever, yet while angels adore the wisdom of God in the redemption of his church, the ignorance of self-wise and carnal men deems the whole to be foolishness.

13-19 The apostle seems to be more anxious lest the believers should be discouraged and faint upon his tribulations, than for what he himself had to bear. He asks for spiritual blessings, which are the best blessings. Strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man; strength in the soul; the strength of faith, to serve God, and to do our duty. If the law of Christ is written in our hearts, and the love of Christ is shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. Where his Spirit dwells, there he dwells. We should desire that good affections may be fixed in us. And how desirable to have a fixed sense of the love of God in Christ to our souls! How powerfully the apostle speaks of the love of Christ! The breadth shows its extent to all nations and ranks; the length, that it continues from everlasting to everlasting; the depth, its saving those who are sunk into the depths of sin and misery; the height, its raising them up to heavenly happiness and glory. Those who receive grace for grace from Christ's fulness, may be said to be filled with the fulness of God. Should not this satisfy man? Must he needs fill himself with a thousand trifles, fancying thereby to complete his happiness?

20,21 It is proper always to end prayers with praises. Let us expect more, and ask for more, encouraged by what Christ has already done for our souls, being assured that the conversion of sinners, and the comfort of believers, will be to his glory, for ever and ever.

Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.

Discussion for Ephesians 3

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