back to the
King James Bible |
Next Chapter |
Previous Chapter
3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you
Gentiles, 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God
which is given me to you-ward: 3:3 How that by revelation he made
known unto me the
mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 3:4
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery
of Christ) 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of
men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit; 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same
body, and partakers of his promise in
Christ by the gospel: 3:7
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of
God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace
given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches
of Christ; 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the
mystery, which from the
beginning of the world hath been hid in God,
who created all things by Jesus Christ: 3:10 To the intent that now
unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known
by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 3:11 According to the
eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 3:12 In
whom we have boldness and access with
confidence by the faith of him.
3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you,
which is your glory.
3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to
be
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 3:17 That
Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and
grounded in love, 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what
is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 3:19 And to know
the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled
with all the fulness of God.
3:20 Now unto him that is able to do
exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 3:21
Unto
him be glory in the church by
Christ Jesus throughout all ages,
world without end. Amen.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Ephesians
Book: Ephesians
Chapter: 3
Overview:
The
Apostle sets forth his office, and his qualifications for
it, and his
Call to it.
(1-7) Also the noble purposes answered
By it.
(8-12) He prays for the
Ephesians.
(13-19) And adds a
thanksgiving.
(20,21)
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.
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.
13-19 The
Apostle seems to be more anxious lest the believers
should be discouraged and faint upon his tribulations, than for
what he himself had to
Bear. He asks for spiritual blessings,
which are the best blessings. Strength from the
Spirit of
God in
the inner
Man; strength in the soul; the strength of
Faith, to
serve
God, and to do our duty. If the
Law of
Christ is written
in our hearts, and the
Love of
Christ is shed abroad there, then
Christ dwells there. Where his
Spirit dwells, there he dwells.
We should desire that good affections may be fixed in us. And
how desirable to have a fixed sense of the
Love of
God in
Christ
to our souls! How powerfully the
Apostle speaks of the
Love of
Christ! The breadth shows its extent to all nations and ranks;
the length, that it continues from
Everlasting to
Everlasting;
the depth, its saving those who are sunk into the depths of
Sin
and misery; the height, its raising them up to heavenly
happiness and
Glory. Those who receive
Grace for
Grace from
Christ's
Fulness, may be said to be filled with the
Fulness of
God. Should not this satisfy
Man? Must he needs fill himself
with a thousand trifles, fancying thereby to complete his
happiness?
20,21 It is proper always to
End prayers with praises. Let us
expect more, and ask for more, encouraged
By what
Christ has
already done for our souls, being assured that the
Conversion of
sinners, and the comfort of believers, will be to his
Glory, for
ever and ever.