以弗所书 3:9 CUVS

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 3:8-9

The apostle's high privilege. Very often does he refer, with a sort of grateful humility, to the Divine favor in attaching him to the service of the gospel. I. MARK THE CONTRAST BETWEEN HIS CALL AND HIS SENSE OF PERSONAL NOTHINGNESS . "Less than the least of all saints." The expression is exceedingly emphatic, being a comparative formed upon a superlative. He could never forget his share in the death of Stephen, and his fierce persecutions of the Church of God.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 3:9

And to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery. Another branch of his office, and another fruit of God's grace in conferring it. He was not only to benefit man, but also to vindicate God. For "fellowship of the mystery" (A.V.), the R.V. has "dispensation of the mystery," founded on the preference of the reading οἰκονομια , for which there is a great preponderance of authority over κοινωνία . It was the apostle's function to show how this mystery had been... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 3:9

And to make all men see - In order that the whole human family might see the glory of God in the plan of salvation. Hitherto the revelation of his character and plans had been confined to the Jews. Now it was his design that all the race should be made acquainted with it.What is the fellowship of the mystery - Instead of “fellowship” here - κοινωνία koinōnia - most mss. and versions read οἰκονομία oikonomia - “dispensation;” see Mill. This reading is adopted by Griesbach, Tittman,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ephesians 3:8-9

Ephesians 3:8-9. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, &c. Here are the noblest strains of eloquence, to paint the exceeding low opinion which the apostle had of himself, and the fulness of unfathomable blessings which are treasured up in Christ. The word ελαχιστοτερω is a comparative, formed from the superlative ελαχιστος , the force of which it is difficult to express in the English language. Doubtless he speaks of himself in this humble manner, on account of his having... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ephesians 3:1-21

God’s wisdom and love displayed (3:1-21)It was because Paul had taken the gospel to the Gentiles that he was imprisoned in the first place (Acts 21:27-36). Yet he feels humbled to think that God should graciously choose him for such a noble work (3:1-2). As a Jew he was once proud of his belief that only Jews were God’s people. Even if some of the ‘far off’ Gentiles believed in God, they were still not God’s covenant people in the sense that Jews were. Now God’s special revelation shows Paul... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ephesians 3:9

And . . . God = And to enlighten all as to what is the stewardship (committed to me) of the mystery ( App-193 ) that hath been hidden from the ages in God. make . . . see = enlighten. See Ephesians 1:18 . fellowship . The texts read oikonomia (Ephesians 3:2 ), instead of koinonia. from . . . world = from the ages. App-151 . hid . Greek. apokrupto. See 1 Corinthians 2:7 . created . See Ephesians 2:10 . by Jesus Christ . The texts omit. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ephesians 3:9

And to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things.To make all men see ... The message of salvation is to be preached to human beings, not angels, spirits or other non-terrestrial beings. It is important to keep this in mind in the study of the next verse.The dispensation of the mystery ... Paul's many references in the New Testament to the mystery of God, the mystery of the faith, the mystery of Christ, the great mystery,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ephesians 3:9

Ephesians 3:9. Which—hath been hid in God,— It is evident that here is an allusion to the burying of a treasure in some secret place; (comp. Mat 13:44 where the same word is used;) as there may also be in the word ανεξιχνιαστον, unsearchable, Eph 3:8 which properly signifies, what cannot be traced out; and it is certain, that, though something is now known concerning this glorious mystery, yet there is an incomparablygreater part, concerning which we only know in the general that it is a rich... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 3:9

9. to make all men see—Greek, "to enlighten all" (Ephesians 1:18; Psalms 18:28; Hebrews 6:4). "All" (compare Colossians 1:28). fellowship—The oldest manuscripts read, "economy," or "dispensation" (compare Colossians 1:25; Colossians 1:26; and see on Ephesians 1:10, above). "To make all see how it hath seemed good to God at this time to dispense (through me and others, His stewards) what heretofore was a mystery." ELLICOTT explains it, "the arrangement," or "regulation" of the mystery (the union... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 3:1-13

2. Past ignorance 3:1-13Paul began to pray for his readers again (cf. Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 3:14), but he interrupted himself to tell them more about the church. What he said in this section gives background information concerning the church as a mystery. read more