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Scott's Reference Library
Ephesians 3:1 through Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)
1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you
Gentiles—
2Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to
me for you, 3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have
already written briefly. 4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand
my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to men in other
generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and
prophets. 6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs
together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the
promise in Christ Jesus.
7I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through
the working of his power. 8Although I am less than the least of all God’s
people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable
riches of Christ, 9and to make plain to everyone the administration of this
mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should
be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according
to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12In him
and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-7
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. All the gracious offers of the gospel, and the joyful tidings
it contains, come from the rich grace of God; it is the great means by which the
Spirit works grace in the souls of men. The mystery, is that secret, hidden
purpose of salvation through Christ. This was not so fully and clearly shown in
the ages before Christ, as unto the prophets of the New Testament. This was the
great truth made known to the apostle, that God would call the Gentiles to
salvation by faith in Christ. An effectual working of Divine power attends the
gifts of Divine grace. As God appointed Paul to the office, so he qualified him
for it.
VERSES 8-12
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. How highly he speaks of Jesus Christ; the unsearchable riches of Christ!
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! And if we are not enriched
with them it is our own fault. 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. 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.