Ephesians 3:1–2

Footnotes

1. 1 Several early and important witnesses, chiefly of the Western text (א* D* F G [365]), lack Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou, “Jesus”) here, while most Alexandrian and Byzantine (𝔓46 א1 A B [C] D1 Ψ 33 1739 [1881] 𝔐 lat sy bo) have the word. However, because of the Western text’s proclivities to add or delete to the text, seemingly at whim, serious doubts should be attached to the shorter reading. It is strengthened, however, by א’s support. Nevertheless, since both א and D were corrected with the addition of Ἰησοῦ, their testimony might be questioned. Further, in uncial script the nomina sacra here could have led to missing a word by way of homoioteleuton (Χ ΥΙ Υ). At the same time, in light of the rarity of scribal omission of nomina sacra (see , n. 1), a decision for inclusion of the word here must be tentative. rightly places Ἰησοῦ in brackets.
2. 2 If indeed. The author is not doubting whether his audience has heard, but is rather using provocative language (if indeed) to engage his audience in thinking about the magnificence of God’s grace. However, in English translation, the apodosis (“then“-clause) does not come until v. 13, leaving the protasis (“if“-clause) dangling. Eph 3:2–7 constitute one sentence in Greek.
3. 3 Or “administration,” “dispensation,” “commission.”