Ephesians 3:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 3:2-5

Dispensational privileges of the Gentiles. The apostle recurs to a subject already treated in few words" in the first chapter—words which he requests them to read, that they may fully understand his meaning—respecting the new position of the Gentiles in the kingdom of God. Their position was determined by a dispensation, that is, by an arrangement organized in all its parts in relation to space and time; for God works by order in grace as well as in nature. Consider— I. THE ORIGIN ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 3:3

How that, by revelation, was made known unto me the mystery. The mystery, as is explained afterwards ( Ephesians 3:6 ), was not the gospel itself, but its destination to the Gentiles as much as to the Jews; although, as appears afterwards, this fullness of blessing is really the great glory of the gospel. Mystery, that which is known only to the initiated, does not denote here a thing obscure in its own nature, but only something that had been concealed from view. It was only the initiated... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 3:1

For this cause - On account of preaching this doctrine; that is, the doctrine that the gospel was to be proclaimed to the Gentiles.I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ - A prisoner in the service of the Lord Jesus; or made a prisoner in his cause. Not a prisoner for crime or debt, or as a captive in war, but a captive in the service of the Redeemer. This proves that at the time of writing this, Paul was in bonds, and there can he no question that he was in Rome. This would be more correctly... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 3:2

If ye have heard - Εἴ-γε Ei-ge “If at least, if indeed, if so be, spoken of what is taken for granted.” “Robinson;” compare 2 Corinthians 5:3; Galatians 3:4; Ephesians 4:21; Colossians 1:23, for the use of the particle. The particle here is not designed to express a doubt whether they had heard of it or not, for he takes it for granted that they had. Doddridge renders it, “since I well know you have heard,” etc. He had informed them of his being called to be the minister to the Gentiles... read more

Albert Barnes

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

How that by revelation - see the notes at Galatians 1:12. He refers to the revelation which was made to him when he was called to the apostolic office, that the gospel was to be preached to the Gentiles, and that he was converted for the special purpose of carrying it to them; see Acts 9:15; Acts 22:21.Unto me the mystery - The hitherto concealed truth that the gospel was to be preached to the Gentiles; see the notes, Ephesians 1:9, on the meaning of the word “mystery.”As I wrote afore in few... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ephesians 3:1-7

Ephesians 3:1-7. For this cause That you may be so built up together, and made the temple of God, and his habitation through the Spirit; I bow my knees, &c., see Ephesians 3:14, with which the words are evidently closely connected, (as they are also with the close of the preceding chapters) the subsequent paragraph to the end of Eph 3:13 manifestly coming in by way of parenthesis. I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles For your advantage, for asserting your right to... 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 3:1

This chapter is parenthetical, and within it is another parenthesis, verses: Ephesians 3:2-13 . Both must be carefully noted. For this cause = On this account. Jesus Christ = Christ Jesus. App-98 . Gentiles . Compare Acts 22:21 ; Acts 26:23 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ephesians 3:2

If = If indeed. Greek. eige . See App-118 . have . Omit. dispensation = stewardship. Greek. oikonomia. See Ephesians 1:10 . the = that. grace . App-184 . God . App-98 . is = was. to . . . -ward . Greek. eis . App-104 . The grace of God which concerned them and us. Not the grace of God as to "the kingdom", or "the heavenly calling" (see App-193 ), but the gospel of God's grace as to the church which is the body of Christ. read more

E.W. Bullinger

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

revelation . App-106 . He . All the texts read "was". unto = to. mystery . See Ephesians 5:32 . 1 Timothy 3:16 . App-193 . as = even as. wrote afore . See Romans 15:4 . in ( App-104 .) few words = briefly. See Romans 16:25 , Romans 16:26 . read more

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