Ephesians 3

1 For this reason [because of, on account of] I, Paul [the apostle, originally named Saul], the prisoner [held captive, in bonds] of Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] Jesus [God is salvation] for the sake of [on behalf of, for the benefit of] you Gentiles [non-Jewish people, nations]… word study 2 Surely you have heard [if indeed, if it is so] about the stewardship [management, administration] of God’s [the supreme Creator, divine] grace [unmerited favor, loving-kindness] that was given [bestowed, granted] to me [as a servant, apostle] for you [on your behalf, toward you], word study 3 that is [since it has been revealed], the mystery [a secret or hidden truth] made known [revealed, disclosed] to me [to my understanding] by revelation [a divine disclosure], as I have already written [previously designated] briefly [in few words] [in a short letter, as before]. word study 4 In reading [when ye read, by the reading of which] this, then, you will be able [have the power] to understand [perceive, comprehend] my insight [spiritual understanding] into the mystery [a hidden truth] of Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah], word study 5 which [in other ages, formerly] was not made known [revealed, disclosed] to men [the sons of men, humanity] in other [different, previous] generations [ages, periods of time] as it has now [at this present time] been revealed [uncovered, made manifest] by the Spirit [the Holy Spirit, God’s breath] to God’s [the Lord’s, divine] holy [set apart, sanctified] apostles [messengers, delegates] and prophets [speakers of God’s word, seers]. word study 6 This mystery [a divine secret, a hidden truth] is that through the gospel [the good news, the message of salvation] the Gentiles [non-Jewish people, nations] are fellow heirs [co-inheritors, joint heirs], fellow members [part of the same body, united] of the body [the church, the community of believers], and fellow partakers [sharers, participants] of the promise [a commitment, an assurance] in Christ Jesus [the anointed Messiah, the Savior]. word study 7 I became a servant [minister, preacher] of this gospel [good news] by the gift [free gift, gracious bestowal] of God’s [the one true deity] grace [unmerited favor, divine influence], given me [to me, bestowed upon me] through the working [effectual operation, active energy] of His power [miraculous ability, strength]. word study 8 Though I am [the most insignificant] less than the least of all the [holy, set apart] saints, this [divine influence, graciousness] grace was given me: to [announce good news, proclaim] preach to the [non-Jewish people, nations] Gentiles the [incomprehensible, untraceable] unsearchable riches [wealth, spiritual blessings] of Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah], word study 9 and to illuminate [make clear, reveal] for everyone [all men, all people] the stewardship [management, administration, fellowship] of this mystery [secret, hidden truth], which for ages past [from the beginning of the world, for eternity] was kept hidden [concealed, secret] in God [the Creator], who created [made, brought into existence] all things [the universe, everything]. word study 10 His purpose [God’s plan, intention] was that now [at this present time, in this current era], through the church [the assembly, community of believers], the manifold [varied, multifaceted] wisdom [spiritual understanding, discernment] of God [the one true deity, Creator] should be made known [revealed, disclosed] to the rulers [principalities, spiritual authorities] and authorities [powers, heavenly beings] in the heavenly [spiritual, celestial] realms [places, domains], word study 11 according to [from the very beginning, in line with] the eternal [forever, without end] purpose [plan, intention, showbread] that He accomplished [carried out, made, brought about] in [through, among, with] Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] Jesus [God is salvation] our Lord [Master, God, the one in authority]. word study 12 In Him [through our union with Him, in His presence] and through faith [trust, confidence, reliance] in Him we may enter [approach, come near, have access] God’s [the Father’s, Almighty] presence [throne room, holy place] with boldness [freedom, courage, openness] and confidence [assurance, trust, faith] [in His love and acceptance]. word study 13 So I ask [request, beseech] you not to be discouraged [lose heart, faint] because of my sufferings [tribulations, pressures] for you, which are [is] your glory [honor, praise]. word study 14 … for this reason [because of, on account of] I bow [to bend, kneel in reverence] my knees [as a sign of respect, prayer] before the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ, the male parent], word study 15 from whom [the source and origin] every family [lineage, heritage] in [among, within] heaven [the spiritual realm, God’s dwelling place] and on [upon, above] earth [the physical world, soil] derives [receives, is named] its name [identity, character, nature]. word study 16 I ask [request, pray] that out of the riches [abundance, wealth] of His glory [honor, praise] He may strengthen [empower, make strong] you with power [miraculous ability, strength] through [by means of, because of] His Spirit [breath, vital principle] in your inner [inward, spiritual] being [heart, soul], word study 17 so that Christ [the Anointed One, Jesus] may dwell [make his home, reside] in your hearts [the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions] through [because of, by means of] faith [trust and confidence in God]. Then you, being rooted [firmly established, like a tree] and grounded [founded, established] in love [unconditional, divine affection], word study 18 will have power [to be strengthened, empowered], together with all [every, the entire community of] the saints [holy ones, set apart], to comprehend [to grasp, apprehend fully] the length [extent, distance] and width [breadth, expanse] and height [loftiness, elevation] and depth [profundity, richness] word study 19 of the love [unconditional, divine affection] of Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah], and to know [to understand, recognize] this love [agape, selfless devotion] that surpasses [exceeds, transcends] knowledge [spiritual understanding, insight], that you may be filled [made complete, satisfied] with all [every aspect, the entirety] the fullness [completion, perfection] of God [the Supreme Being, Creator]. word study 20 Now to Him [the Almighty, all-powerful] who is able [has the power and strength] to do [accomplish, bring about] so much more [exceedingly, abundantly] than all we ask [request, petition] or imagine [think, consider], according to [in line with, matching] His power [divine energy, miraculous ability] that is at work [active, effective] within us [in our hearts, among us], word study 21 to Him [the Father, the supreme authority] be the glory [honor, praise, admiration] in the church [assembly, community of believers] and in Christ Jesus [the Anointed One, the Messiah] throughout all generations [ages, periods of time], forever [without end, eternally] and ever [perpetually, continually]. Amen [so be it, may it be so]. word study