Ephesians 3:1–21

Introduction

Ephesians 3:1–21: The apostle Paul explains that Gentiles are now included in God’s plan of salvation and share in the promise that God made through Christ Jesus. He refers to “God’s secret plan” when describing his outreach to the Gentiles. The reading concludes with Paul’s prayer, attesting to the breadth and depth of Christ’s love—a love that Paul wants all to know.

Today’s Key Verse: Ephesians 3:21

To God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen.

Reading

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles, pray to God. ² Surely you have heard that God in his grace has given me this work to do for your good. ³ God revealed his secret plan and made it known to me. (I have written briefly about this, ⁴ and if you will read what I have written, you can learn about my understanding of the secret of Christ.) ⁵ In past times human beings were not told this secret, but God has revealed it now by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. ⁶ The secret is that by means of the gospel the Gentiles have a part with the Jews in God’s blessings; they are members of the same body and share in the promise that God made through Christ Jesus.

⁷ I was made a servant of the gospel by God’s special gift, which he gave me through the working of his power. ⁸ I am less than the least of all God’s people; yet God gave me this privilege of taking to the Gentiles the Good News about the infinite riches of Christ, ⁹ and of making all people see how God’s secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages, ¹⁰ in order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms. ¹¹ God did this according to his eternal purpose, which he achieved through Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In union with Christ and through our faith in him we have the boldness to go into God’s presence with all confidence. ¹³ I beg you, then, not to be discouraged because I am suffering for you; it is all for your benefit.

¹⁴ For this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name. ¹⁶ I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, ¹⁷ and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, ¹⁸ so that you, together with all God’s people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ’s love. ¹⁹ Yes, may you come to know his love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.

²⁰ To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of: ²¹ to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen.

Reflect

In verse 7, Paul claims to be a “servant of the gospel by God’s special gift.” To what does this special gift refer? Paul refers to God’s “secret plan” or “secret” in verses 3, 5, 6, and 9. How does he explain this secret? Reread verses 14–19. What is at the heart of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians? Consider copying out verses 20–21 on an index card (or make an image on your electronic device) to keep with you as a reminder of Christ’s abundant love for you and his whole church.

Pray

Lord Jesus, make your home in my heart so that I grow in faith day by day and stay rooted in your rich and everlasting love. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Ephesians 4:1–16: Paul describes the unity shared by believers in the body of Christ.