Ephesians 3

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner^a of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me^b for you, that is, the mystery^c made known to me by revelation,^d as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight^e into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.^f This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^g together with Israel, members together of one body,^h and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.ⁱ

I became a servant of this gospel^j by the gift of God’s grace given me^k through the working of his power.^l Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,^m this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentilesⁿ the boundless riches of Christ,^o and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,^p which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God^q should be made known^r to the rulers and authorities^s in the heavenly realms,^t according to his eternal purpose^u that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God^v with freedom and confidence.^w I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

For this reason I kneel^a before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches^b he may strengthen you with power^c through his Spirit in your inner being,^d so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^e through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^f and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s people,^g to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^h is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledgeⁱ—that you may be filled^j to the measure of all the fullness of God.^k

Now to him who is able^l to do immeasurably more than all we ask^m or imagine, according to his powerⁿ that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.^o