3 bhow that by revelation cHe 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 dshould be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 eof which I became a minister faccording to the gift of the grace of God given to me by gthe effective working of His power.

Purpose of the Mystery

8 To me, hwho am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles ithe unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the 2fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who jcreated all things 3through Jesus Christ; 10 kto the intent that now lthe 4manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church mto the 5principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 naccording to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access owith confidence through faith in Him. 13 pTherefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, qwhich is your glory.

Appreciation of the Mystery

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the rFather 6of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, saccording to the riches of His glory, tto be strengthened with might through His Spirit in uthe inner man, 17 vthat Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, wbeing rooted and grounded in love, 18 xmay be able to comprehend with all the saints ywhat is the width and length and depth and height—19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled zwith all the fullness of God.

20 Now ato Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly babove all that we ask or think, caccording to the power that works in us, 21 dto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Walk in Unity

4 I, therefore, the prisoner 1of the Lord, 2beseech you to awalk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit bin the bond of peace. 4 cThere is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 done Lord, eone faith, fone baptism; 6 gone God and Father of all, who is above all, and hthrough all, and in 3you all.

Spiritual Gifts

7 But ito each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:

j“When He ascended on high,

He led captivity captive,

And gave gifts to men.”

9 k(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also 4first descended into the lower parts of the earth?