Ephesians 3
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedPaul, "the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles," explains the mystery made known to him by revelation, "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel." Though he is "less than the least of all saints," he was given grace to preach "the unsearchable riches of Christ," so that through the church "the manifold wisdom of God" might be made known. He bows his knees in prayer that they may be strengthened by the Spirit, that "Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith," and that they may "know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge," closing with praise to him who "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." Ephesians 3:1Ephesians 3:3Ephesians 3:6Ephesians 3:8Ephesians 3:10Ephesians 3:14Ephesians 3:16Ephesians 3:17Ephesians 3:19Ephesians 3:20
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
Paul, "the prisoner of Jesus Christ," writing to "you Gentiles." Ephesians 3:1Ephesians 3:13Ephesians overview
Where
Paul writes as a prisoner, traditionally from Rome, to "the saints which are at Ephesus," a leading city of the Roman province of Asia. Ephesians overview
When
Paul writes in prison and asks the readers not to "faint at my tribulations for you." Traditionally about AD 60-62, during Paul's imprisonment, near the time of Colossians and Philemon. Many scholars think a follower wrote it in Paul's name about AD 80-90; others hold that Paul wrote it from prison. Ephesians 3:1Ephesians 3:13Ephesians overview
How it fits
Chapter 2 ended with Gentiles "builded together for an habitation of God." Chapter 4 turns to how to live: "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." Ephesians 2:22Ephesians 3:6Ephesians 4:1
Key verses
- Verse 8
"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given." In 1 Corinthians 15:9 Paul calls himself "the least of the apostles," because "I persecuted the church of God." Ephesians 3:81 Corinthians 15:9
- Verse 19
"To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." Ephesians 3:17Ephesians 3:18Ephesians 3:19
- Verse 20
"Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Ephesians 3:20Ephesians 3:21
Takeaway
Pray to be rooted in Christ's love and to know how great it is, trusting God who can do far more than you ask. Ephesians 3:17Ephesians 3:19Ephesians 3:20
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-31.
The mystery revealed to Paul
1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5Which 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; 6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8Unto 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; 9And 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: 10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Paul's prayer for the readers
14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.