Ephesians 3
New International Version (NIV)
God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles
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. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 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. 6 This 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.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His 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, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Footnotes:
- Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).
Replies
GOD STILL PERFORMS MIRACLES through the lives of His people, Amen!!! God's GRACE, HIS MERCY and unmerited FAVOR is SURREAL!!! The enemy will oftentimes use the power of seduction and our haughty attitudes to lore us away for the things of God. Yes!!!!....even with your sanctified; Holy Ghost-filled happy hips!!. None of us have arrived, Amen and we ALL fall short from Grace. "In this flesh, dwells, no good thing". It's by Jesus' unmerited Grace and Mercies that we are able to stand against Satan's malicious maneuvers, Amen!!!
God was telling Paul about his plan & purpose for his life. A portion of God's plan & purpose consist of encouraging Paul to continue to pray for spiritual grow in Him. God's prayer for the Ephesians was for them to remain faithful to Him. Thus allowing him to stay in their hearts.
EDITH Y. CHILES-WILLIAMS said:
This is my favorite book and chapter because, it speaks of God's love and his POWER.
AMEN
Gods own Grace is at the forefront of Paul's writing. Just as His Grace has been given unto me, with that same passion for Grace shall I share it with all who are willing to partake of its awesomeness. I am really crying a bit to much today, but it is just His Word. His Word.
Ephesians 3, talks about the mystries of God being revealed to those who loves him, and the power of the inner man that is rooted in love, that you may know the fullness of God.
LaTanya Robinson-Lloyd said:
Paul knew who he was, who he was called to, and the reason. God trusted Paul to plow new territory, the Gentiles. Gave him the grace to preach, to remove spiritual blindness, and to make know the mysteries of Christ Jesus. Paul's obedience granted then strength with might in their inner man. It gave them access fir Christ to dwell in their hearts richly by faith. They had opportunity to be rooted & grounded in love and to know the fullness of that love.
Why would Paul tread this path as a Trailblazer? Why would he go on uncharted territory (Gentiles heart)? He understood that his suffering, his tribulation was the people glory. He knew by the grace of God that love was the power that works in us to allow God to do ascending and abundantly, above all we ask or think.
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