3:1 prisoner of Christ Jesus Ephesians is one of four letters that Paul wrote from prison (along with Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon). The location and time of this imprisonment are unclear (see note on Phil 1:7).

3:2 stewardship of God’s grace given to me for you Refers to Paul’s calling as apostle to the Gentiles—one of God’s chosen agents to preach the gospel to non-Jewish people (compare Rom 1:5; 15:15–16; Gal 2:9). See note on Gal 1:16.

3:3 According to revelation Paul affirms that he received God’s plan of salvation directly from God (Acts 9:1–7; Gal 1:11–12).

mystery The Greek word used here, mystērion, refers in this context to God’s plan of salvation through Christ (see note on Eph 3:4).

as I wrote beforehand in brief Possibly refers to 1:9–10 or 2:11–22, or to an earlier letter (unknown today).

3:4 the mystery of Christ Paul explains this phrase in v. 6: Through Christ’s death and resurrection, God has invited Gentiles (non-Jews) to join His people—expanding the scope of His salvation to include the entire world, not just Israel (compare Isa 49:6; Gal 3:8). This stunning revelation is the heart of Paul’s gospel and missionary work. Compare Rom 11:13–16.

3:5 apostles and prophets See note on Eph 2:20.

3:6 fellow heirs As God’s chosen people, the Jews were heirs of the blessings promised to Abraham (Gen 17:4–8; Rom 9:4–5). Through Christ, non-Jews also become heirs of God’s promise (see note on Eph 3:4; Gal 3:29).

3:7 servant The Greek word used here, diakonos, is the basis of the English word “deacon.” Paul often uses this term to describe himself and his coworkers as servants or ministers (e.g., 1 Cor 3:5; Col 1:25; 4:7).

3:8 least of all the saints Paul considered himself the least because he had persecuted the Church prior to becoming a Christ-follower (1 Cor 15:9; compare Acts 9:4; 1 Tim 1:15–16).

fathomless riches of Christ Refers to the blessings made available through Christ (Eph 1:3–8).

3:9 the mystery hidden from the ages Paul means that the fullness of God’s plan, and how it all would come together, was not known. See vv. 3–6; note on v. 4.

3:10 many-sided wisdom Refers to God’s plan of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus (compare 1 Cor 1:21–31; 2:6–8).

Wisdom and Related Terms

the rulers and the authorities Refers to spiritual enemies of God (see Eph 1:21 and note). These forces were kept ignorant of Christ’s role—that His death and resurrection would be the catalyst for redeeming Gentile people groups.

through the church By responding faithfully to the gospel, the people of God—Jews and Gentiles together—reveal God’s plan of salvation.

3:11 the purpose of the ages Relates to God’s plan of salvation (compare note on 2:5).

3:12 boldness and access Through Christ, believers are reconciled to God.

3:13 my afflictions Refers to Paul’s imprisonment (v. 1).

which are your glory Indicates that Paul’s hardships have contributed to the believers’ life with Christ in the age to come—when Jesus returns and makes all things right.

Doxa Word Study

3:14 I bend my knees A posture expressing reverence and submission (Mark 11:25; Luke 18:11).

Prayers in Paul’s Letters Table

Father See note on Eph 1:3.

3:15 every family Refers to all creation—every family and class, Jews and Gentiles alike.

is named In the ancient Near East, naming something amounted to bringing it into existence, giving it identity, and exercising authority over it. Since all creation derives its name from the Father, He is both its source and its ruler (compare Gen 1:1–5; Psa 147:4; Isa 40:26).

3:16 to be strengthened with power The prayer’s central appeal. The statements that follow branch off from this main request.

the inner person God empowers believers through His indwelling presence in their lives. Compare Rom 7:22; 2 Cor 4:16.

may dwell The Greek word used here, katoikeō, carries the sense of residing permanently.

in your hearts The heart in ancient Greek and Jewish thought represents the essential aspects of existence and identity: the inner being, will, and intelligence.

firmly rooted and established Paul uses these two metaphors—one agricultural (“rooted”) and the other architectural (“established”)—as a reminder of the stability that Christ provides. Paul’s ultimate hope is that the indwelling presence of Christ will deepen the believers’ experience of God’s love.

in love Refers to God’s love (Eph 2:4).

3:18 the breadth, and length, and height, and depth Evokes the boundless nature of Christ’s love.

3:19 surpasses knowledge The love of Christ is beyond human comprehension.

fullness of God This could refer to the blessings of God (1:3–8) or to His perfection and completeness. Compare note on Col 1:19.

3:20 Now to the one Jewish prayers often ended with a blessing to God (compare 1 Chr 16:35–36; Rom 16:25–27).

power Paul uses several Greek terms related to power and work in Ephesians, including dynamis (“power”) and its related verb dynamai, and ergon (“work”) and its related verb energeō. In this verse, Paul praises God both as “the one who is able” (tō dynamenō) and as the “power” (dynamis) that is “working” (energeō) in believers (Eph 3:20).

3:21 glory Denotes honor and majesty. See note on Rom 1:23.

Amen Paul closes several sections of his letters this way (Gal 1:5; Rom 11:36; Phil 4:20). See note on Gal 1:5.