Ephesians 3: Mystery, Prayer, and Glory

Short answer: Ephesians 3 explains the mystery that Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the body of Christ, a revelation given to Paul. It also records Paul's prayer for the Ephesians to be strengthened and rooted in love, ending with a doxology of glory to God.

What Ephesians 3 says

Paul begins by describing himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of the Gentiles. He reminds the Ephesians that the administration of God's grace was given to him for their benefit. He explains that the mystery was made known to him by revelation, and that when they read his words they can perceive his understanding of the mystery of Christ. This mystery was not made known in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit. The content of the mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News. Paul emphasizes that this revelation is now made known, and he writes so that they may understand his insight into this divine secret.

Paul then describes his role as a servant of this Good News. He says he was made a servant according to the gift of God's grace given to him by the working of God's power. He calls himself the very least of all saints, yet this grace was given to him to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. His mission is also to make all people see what is the administration of this mystery, which for ages was hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ. The purpose is that now, through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This is according to the eternal purpose which God accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Christ, believers have boldness and access with confidence through faith in him.

Because of this, Paul asks the Ephesians not to lose heart at his troubles for them, since those troubles are their glory. He then bows his knees to the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. He prays that God would grant them, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person. He prays that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, so that being rooted and grounded in love, they may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints the width and length and height and depth. He wants them to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, so that they may be filled with all the fullness of God. This prayer moves from inner strengthening to corporate comprehension and finally to divine fullness.

Paul concludes with a doxology. He addresses the one who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that they ask or think, according to the power that works in them. To this God be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. The chapter ends with a confident amen. This closing praise ties together the themes of God's power, the assembly, and the eternal scope of God's purpose. It affirms that God's ability exceeds human requests and imagination, and that glory belongs to him through the church and through Christ for all time. The doxology serves as a fitting response to the mystery and the prayer that precede it.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,” (Ephesians 3:6) — This verse states the heart of the mystery: that Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ through the Good News. It carries weight because it defines the inclusion of all believers in one body.
• “to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,” (Ephesians 3:10) — This verse reveals that God's manifold wisdom is made known through the assembly to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. It shows the cosmic significance of the church in God's plan.
• “that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person,” (Ephesians 3:16) — This verse begins Paul's prayer request that believers be strengthened with power through the Spirit in the inner person. It highlights the inward work of God in believers.
• “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” (Ephesians 3:20) — This verse declares that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. It anchors the doxology in God's limitless ability.

Gospel connection

The chapter connects to the wider biblical story by showing that the inclusion of the Gentiles was always part of God's eternal purpose, hidden for ages but now revealed in Christ. This fulfills the promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed. The mystery is not a new plan but the unveiling of God's plan accomplished in Christ Jesus. Through the Good News, both Jews and Gentiles become fellow heirs and members of one body. The church, made up of all believers, now displays God's manifold wisdom to the heavenly powers. This points to the climax of redemption where Christ's love surpasses knowledge and believers are filled with all the fullness of God. The doxology affirms that glory belongs to God through the church and in Christ for all generations, tying the chapter to the grand narrative of God's glory among all peoples.

Application

This chapter asks the reader to live in light of the revealed mystery, recognizing that all believers are equal heirs in Christ regardless of background. It calls for humility, as Paul considered himself the least of all saints, and for a willingness to suffer for the sake of others without losing heart. The prayer in verses 14 to 19 invites readers to seek inner strengthening through the Spirit, to be rooted and grounded in love, and to comprehend the vast dimensions of Christ's love. It encourages a posture of dependence on God's power, trusting that he can do far more than we ask or imagine. Practically, this means praying for others to know Christ's love deeply, participating in a local assembly where God's wisdom is displayed, and giving glory to God in all circumstances. It also means not being discouraged by trials, but seeing them as part of God's purpose for the glory of others.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not claim that Paul was the only one to receive the mystery, for it was revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit. It does not specify the exact nature of the principalities and powers in heavenly places, nor does it describe how the assembly makes God's wisdom known to them. It does not explain what the width, length, height, and depth refer to, leaving that open. It does not state that believers will automatically comprehend Christ's love without the strengthening of the Spirit. It does not promise that all prayers will be answered according to our asking, but rather that God is able to do above all we ask or think. It does not give a timeline for the eternal purpose, only that it was accomplished in Christ Jesus. It does not describe the manner of Paul's imprisonment beyond being a prisoner of Christ Jesus.

Questions for study

1. What is the mystery that Paul says was made known to him by revelation, and how does verse 6 summarize it?
2. Why does Paul consider himself the very least of all saints, and what does that teach us about receiving grace?
3. According to verses 10 and 11, what is the purpose of the assembly in relation to the principalities and powers, and how does that shape our view of the church?
4. In Paul's prayer in verses 14 to 19, what specific things does he ask God to grant, and how do those requests build on one another?
5. How does the doxology in verses 20 and 21 connect to the rest of the chapter, and what does it say about God's ability and glory?

Keep reading

Related studies: Ephesians 1 Bible Study, Ephesians 4 Bible Study, Ephesians 6 Bible Study.

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FAQ

What is the mystery that Paul talks about in Ephesians 3?

The mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News. It was hidden for ages but revealed to Paul and the apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

Why does Paul say he is a prisoner of Christ Jesus?

Paul describes himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of the Gentiles, indicating that his imprisonment is for the sake of the gospel and their benefit. He does not focus on the earthly authorities but on his identity in Christ.

What does Paul pray for in Ephesians 3:14-19?

Paul prays that believers would be strengthened with power through the Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, that they would be rooted and grounded in love, and that they would comprehend the vast dimensions of Christ's love and be filled with all the fullness of God.