エペソ人への手紙 3:5 JCB

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 3:3-21

II. THE CHRISTIAN’S CALLING 1:3-3:21". . . the first three chapters are one long prayer, culminating in the great doxology at the end of chapter 3. There is in fact nothing like this in all Paul’s letters. This is the language of lyrical prayer, not the language of argument, and controversy, and rebuke." [Note: William Barclay, The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, p. 76.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 3:5

The mystery was unknown before God revealed it to the New Testament apostles and prophets. Prophets may be a more specific description of apostles here (cf. Ephesians 2:20). That means God did not reveal the church in the Old Testament. Specifically what is the mystery in view here?Traditional dispensationalists, as distinguished from "progressive dispensationalists" and covenant theologians, have understood the mystery to be the church, the body of Christ. [Note: E.g., Charles C. Ryrie,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:1-21

Reasons for renewing the Prayer for Wisdom1-13. A digression, which, however, could not be spared. As in Ephesians 1:15, he begins to speak of himself, and this time he explains his unique interest in the conversion of the Gentiles. ’Many of his readers had not seen him, but they must have heard of the special work assigned to him by God, of making known to all the mystery of the ages, so that even angelic powers learn through the Church the manysidedness of the Divine counsels.’1. ’It was... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 3:1-13

(1) Ephesians 3:1-13 contain two subjects closely blended together. The first (carrying on what is implied in the contrast drawn out in Ephesians 2:0) is the absolute newness of this dispensation to the Gentiles—a mystery hidden from the beginning in God, but now at last revealed. The second, an emphatic claim for St. Paul himself, “less than the least” although he is, of a special apostleship to the Gentiles, proclaiming this mystery by word and deed. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 3:5

(5) Which in other ages (rather, to other generations) was not made known unto the sons of men.—For the general sense comp. Colossians 1:27. The phrase “the sons of men” (except that it is once used in Mark 3:28) is peculiar to the Old Testament, where it is of frequent use in the poetical books, and it is notable that in Ezekiel it is the name by which the prophet himself is constantly addressed. Hence, although it is probably wrong to restrict to the children of Israel, or to the prophets,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ephesians 3:1-21

Christianity a Revelation Ephesians 3:4-5 I. First of all, let us notice what is implied in this, when we say that Christianity is a revelation. For one thing, there is implied a contrast. When we say that Christianity is a revelation, we mean that it is not an induction or an invention. Every religion purports to be a revelation. Ay and more, every religion in so far as it is true and there is an element of truth in every religion is what it purports to be, a revelation. We need not be... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 3:1-9

Chapter 12THE SECRET OF THE AGESEphesians 3:1-9Ephesians 3:2-13 are in form a parenthesis. They interrupt the prayer which appears to be commencing in the first verse and is not resumed until Ephesians 3:14. This intervening period is parenthetical, however, in appearance more than in reality. The matter it contains is so weighty, and so essential to the argument and structure of the epistle, that it is impossible to treat it as a mere aside. The writer intends, at the pause which occurs after... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ephesians 3:1-21

3. The Mystery Made Known CHAPTERS 2:11-3:21 1. The condition of the Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11-12 ) 2. But now in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:13-19 ) 3. The new and great relationship (Ephesians 2:19-22 ) 4. The Mystery made known and Paul’s ministry (Ephesians 3:1-13 ) 5. The prayer (Ephesians 3:14-19 ) 6. The doxology (Ephesians 3:20-21 ) With the eleventh verse of the second chapter we reach a new division in this Epistle. The great mystery of the masterwork of God, the Church, is next... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ephesians 3:5

3:5 Which in {b} 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;(b) He does not mean that no one knew of the calling of the Gentiles before, but because very few knew of it. And those that did know it, such as the prophets, had it revealed to them very obscurely, and by means of symbols. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:1-21

THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST REVEALED (vs.1-13) "For this cause" -- because of the marvelous greatness of the work God had accomplished for and in His saints -- Paul preached "the unsearchable riches of Christ" (v.8). He was the prisoner, not of Rome, but of Jesus Christ. Men sought to confine him and his ministry, but the Lord Jesus used even his imprisonment for good . Thus he was a prisoner "for you Gentiles," for it was Jewish antagonism against his going to the Gentiles that led to his... read more