Ephesians 3:1
When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . .
Explanation:
Paul says he’s in prison because he was telling people like the Gentiles (non-Jews) about Jesus. He did it to help them.
Ephesians 3:2
assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles.
Explanation:
Paul reminds them that God gave him a special job—to share His love and kindness with people who weren’t Jews.
Ephesians 3:3
As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.
Explanation:
Paul says that God showed him a special secret plan that he wrote about before.
Ephesians 3:4
As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ.
Explanation:
When you read Paul’s words, you’ll understand what God taught him about Jesus.
Ephesians 3:5
God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
Explanation:
People long ago didn’t know this plan, but now God’s Spirit has made it clear to Paul and others who follow Him.
Ephesians 3:6
And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.
Explanation:
God’s big plan is this: anyone who believes in Jesus—Jew or Gentile—gets the same blessings and is part of God’s big family.
Ephesians 3:7
By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
Explanation:
God gave Paul the power and kindness to share the good news with others. It’s a special job!
Ephesians 3:8
Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.
Explanation:
Paul feels like he’s not good enough, but God still chose him to tell people about the amazing gifts they can get through Jesus.
Ephesians 3:9
I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
Explanation:
Paul says God picked him to tell people about the secret plan He had from the very beginning.
Ephesians 3:10
God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Explanation:
God wants to show how wise He is through the church (all His people), even to angels and powers we can’t see.
Ephesians 3:11
This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Explanation:
This plan was God’s forever plan, and He made it happen through Jesus.
Ephesians 3:12
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.
Explanation:
Because we believe in Jesus, we can talk to God anytime without fear.
Ephesians 3:13
So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.
Explanation:
Paul tells them not to be sad he’s suffering. He’s going through hard times to help them, and that’s something special.
Ephesians 3:14
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,
Explanation:
Paul is so thankful and amazed that he gets down on his knees to pray to God.
Ephesians 3:15
the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.
Explanation:
He’s praying to the one who made everything—heaven, earth, and all of us.
Ephesians 3:16
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
Explanation:
Paul asks God to make them strong inside by using the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 3:17
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Explanation:
When you trust Jesus, He will live in your heart, and God’s love will hold you up and keep you going.
Ephesians 3:18
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
Explanation:
Paul wants you to really understand how big God’s love is—it’s huge in every direction!
Ephesians 3:19
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Explanation:
Even though God’s love is too big to totally understand, Paul prays you feel it and be filled up with God’s life and power.
Ephesians 3:20
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Explanation:
God can do way more than we can ever dream of—because His power is working in us!
Ephesians 3:21
Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Explanation:
Let’s give praise to God in the church and through Jesus, now and forever. Amen means “Let it be so!”