Read · Listen · Study

Ephesians 3 · Berean Standard Bible

Playback speed

¹For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles... ²Surely you have heard about the stewardship 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 fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of 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. ⁸Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰His purpose 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 the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹²In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence. ¹³So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. ¹⁴... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth ¹⁹of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, ²¹to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Berean Standard Bible · public domain. More versions and languages in the Reading Plan.

Ephesians

Ephesians 3

The Mystery Revealed and Applied

✦

Detailed Analysis

Event Description

Paul discusses the previously hidden mystery that Gentiles are co-heirs with Jews, emphasizing the practical side of this revelation in terms of unity and inclusivity in the church.

Key Verse

Ephesians 3:6 - "This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

Living the Unveiled Mystery

Embracing the Global Family of Faith: Visualize the church as a diverse yet harmonious family, where Jews and Gentiles alike share in the riches of Christ, demonstrating a practical unity that transcends cultural boundaries. Rooted and Grounded in Love: Picture believers deeply rooted in love, their actions and interactions reflecting the vastness of Christ's love, leading to tangible acts of kindness, understanding, and community building.

Living the Unveiled Mystery

Song

The Unseen Made Seen

Mystery Unfolded

Once veiled in shadow, now clear in light, Jew and Gentile in His sight; Together heirs, a promise shared, In Christ's love, once hidden, now bared.

Boundless in Christ

Beyond all knowledge, love's domain, In Christ, our hearts and souls remain; Filled with fullness, grace bestowed, In His love, our lives overflowed.

Strength in His Love

Rooted in love, we firmly stand, Spread wide in Christ, across the land; His love, our measure, depth, and height, In His embrace, we find our might.

Unity's Rich Tapestry

A tapestry of varied hue, In Christ, a family anew; Diverse in culture, one in creed, In Him, our unity succeeds.

Conclusion

Ephesians 3 not only unveils the mystery of the inclusion of the Gentiles but also provides practical guidance for living out this truth. It encourages believers to embrace a global, inclusive view of the church, rooted in the love of Christ, leading to practical expressions of unity, understanding, and communal growth.