How powerfully the apostle speaks of the love of Christ! What a privilege it is to be a Christian - a part of the church – a living stone - a member of the body of Christ. He writes here of greatness of the ability of God to strengthen us for comprehension of all that he is, and the power of his love that dwells in us. Ephesians 3:20 Treasury of Scripture Knowing, What My Obedience To God Costs Other People, The Stone Was Rolled Away (Easter Reflections - (11). 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. Should not this satisfy man? The natural theme for this transition is an appeal for spiritual strength from God. Ephesians 3:7. It is proper always to end prayers with praises. The mystery, is that secret, hidden purpose of salvation through Christ. Ephesians chapter 3 wraps up Paul's doctrinal teaching and introduces its practical application. Paul in this inspiring and exhilarating doxology of praise wants us to KNOW that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think!!! Ephesians 3:12(HCSB) Verse Thoughts. We praise Him for Who He is and all that He has done for the children of men. This was the great truth made known to the apostle, that God would call the Gentiles to salvation by faith in Christ. 1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 … 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! New International Version. All Rights Reserved. 3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. As God appointed Paul to the office, so he qualified him for it. This prayer begins a transition from the first half of his letter, focused on doctrinal ideas, to the second half, where those ideas are put into practice. (8-12) He prays for the Ephesians. 1. Ephesians 3:3. I pray that I willingly yield to Your child-training and transforming work in my life and that I am ever open to Your chastening rod and Your guiding hand - this I ask in Jesus name, AMEN. We should desire that good affections may be fixed in us. Ephesians 3:3, NLT: "As I briefly wrote earlier, … 2 You heard about the stewardship of God’s grace given to me for you, 3 and how by revelation the mystery was made known to me. The conversion of absolute impossibilities to limitless possibilities. This was not so fully and clearly shown in the ages before Christ, as unto the prophets of the New Testament. Amen. This calling includes proclaiming the fact that all people, Jew and Gentile, can now be part of the same spiritual family. Ephesians 3, Verses 1-4 ¶“ 1 I Paul am the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles. Ephesians 3:14–21 is a prayer from Paul on behalf of the Christians of Ephesus. For three glorious chapters Paul has been outlining of the riches of God's grace towards His people, explaining our privileged position in Christ and reminding us of the love of God, which passes all human understanding.. before he implores us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we have been called.. to the praise and glory of God the Father and our Saviour Jesus Christ. 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. Choose a verse from 'Ephesians 3' to begin your 'Verse-by-Verse' study of God's Word using the more than 100 commentaries available on StudyLight.org An effectual working of Divine power attends the gifts of Divine grace. For three glorious chapters Paul has been outlining of the riches of God's grace towards His people, explaining our privileged position in Christ and reminding us of the love of God, which passes all human understanding.. before he implores us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we have been called.. to the praise and glory of God the Father and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Ephesians 3:20 meaning, full explanation. in whom we have boldness, access, and confidence through faith in Him. 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. Not simply to teach all men, but to enlighten all, which is to be accomplished by means of the gospel. 3 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT. 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. (20,21). 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. This verse in Ephesians in which Paul prays that God would grant us, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.. is only the first part of an amazing and powerful prayer.. for his prayer continues: so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the … He is forming and transforming, fashioning and refining our inner man. God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles. Paul desires that we KNOW that God is able : that God is able to do : that God is able to do what we think : that He is able to do what we ask and think : that He is able to do all that we ask of think : that He is able to do above all that we ask or think - that God is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think. To be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Reading Time: 11 minutes. I. He asks for spiritual blessings, which are the best blessings. Some religious leaders, hungry for power and control over the lives of the people they lead, twist this teaching and turned it into something wrong. If the law of Christ is written in our hearts, and the love of Christ is shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. That inner power is not of ourselves but the supernatural workings of the Holy Spirit - for He is continuously working in the inner man (that new life in Christ that we received at salvation) in order to transform us from glory to glory... into the person and character that befits a spiritual man; a child of God; a joint-heir with Christ and a citizen of heaven. The apostle sets forth his office, and his qualifications for it, and his call to it. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. Ephesians 3:3, KJV: "How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words," Ephesians 3:3, NASB: "that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief." Paul refers to both his imprisonment and to his spiritual calling. In whom we have (our) boldness and (our) access with confidence. Read all the posts in this series or subscribe to the audio podcast. Ephesians chapter 3. 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. This chapter consists of two parts. Those who receive grace for grace from Christ's fulness, may be said to be filled with the fulness of God. The superabundant blessings that God gives to all who simply trust in the divine Person and atoning work of Lord Jesus Christ are ours - according to the Power that works within us. 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 … This glorification is “in the church and in Christ Jesus.” That is to say, it is within the company of believers in union with Christ that God is glorified. 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. Ephesians 3:9. Thank You that I have the power of the Holy Spirit working in my inner man. It's actually pretty simple, really: It simply means to honor our parents in obedience to the Lord. He has been expounding the length and breadth and depth and height of the good news of God's grace towards us, and the over-abounding riches we already have in Christ, by faith in His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. EPHESIANS ‘THE WHOLE FAMILY’ Ephesians 3:15Grammatically, we are driven to recognise that the Revised Version is more correct than the Authorised, when it reads ‘every family,’ instead of ‘the whole family.’There is in the expression no reference to the thought, however true it is in itself, that the redeemed in heaven and the believers on earth make up but one family. He is guiding and directing us; teaching and training us and the more that we yield to Him.. the more exceedingly abundantly will be the inner transformation into the image and likeness of Christ - until we can say with Paul :- the life that I live in this flesh is not I.. but Christ that lives in me. Must he needs fill himself with a thousand trifles, fancying thereby to complete his happiness? We serve the God who dares the impossible and... 2. We may observe it to have been very much the practice of this apostle to intermix, with his instructions and counsels, intercessions and prayers to God for those … What Does Ephesians 1:3 Mean? Ephesians 3:6. And how desirable to have a fixed sense of the love of God in Christ to our souls! Chapter 3. In this verse, Paul says a prayer for the Ephesians. Of the account which Paul gives the Ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by God to be the apostle of the Gentiles . Ephesians 3:18(NASB) Verse Thoughts Paul desires that the spiritual awareness of the saints of God is all-embracing, such that we are able to comprehend the multi-dimensional breadth, length, depth and height of God's love - through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. The audio podcast his devout and affectionate prayer to God for the Ephesians God in Christ fact all! ; 4:15-16 ; 5:30 ) his office, so he qualified Him who. 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