Ephesians 3:1-3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ephesians 3:1

EPH. 3This whole chapter is a prayer, but between the first and second words of it, Paul made a characteristic digression in which he gave further teaching on the mystery of redemption (Ephesians 3:1-13), concluding this part of the letter with what has been called "the boldest prayer ever prayed" (Ephesians 3:14-21).For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles ... (Ephesians 3:1)Actually, Paul's prayer began back in Ephesians 1:15; and following several... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ephesians 3:2

If so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward.If so be that ye have heard ... From this, it is falsely alleged that this letter could not have been addressed to the Ephesians, since they had most certainly heard of the mystery Paul was about to emphasize. Such a view, however, is due to overlooking the true meaning of the word "if" as used here and in many other New Testament passages. MacKnight translated this place "Seeing ye have heard... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ephesians 3:3

How that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ.By revelation ... Paul always emphasized that the wonderful truth he brought to people was from God, not of himself, that it was given to him by Christ, disclaiming any credit whatever as belonging to himself. Yet, it was absolutely necessary that Paul emphasize the world-shaking importance of that truth. When he implied (in... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ephesians 3:1

Ephesians 3:1. For this cause, &c.— This chapter throws back a great light on those which precede, and more clearly opens the design of this epistle: for St. Paul here in plain words tells the Ephesians that he was by particular favour and appointment ordained a preacher of the doctrine which was a mystery till now, being hid from former ages; namely, that the Gentiles should be co-heirs with the believing Jews, and, making one body or people with them, should be equally partakers of the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ephesians 3:2

Ephesians 3:2. If ye have heard— Since, or forasmuch as ye have heard. read more

Thomas Coke

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

Ephesians 3:3. The mystery (as I wrote afore, &c.— Though St. Peter was by a vision from God sent to Cornelius, a Gentile, Acts 10:0 yet we do not find that this purpose of God's calling the Gentiles to be his people equally with the Jews, without any regard to circumcision or the Mosaical rites, was revealed to him, or any other of the apostles, as a doctrine which they were to preach and publish in the world; neither indeed was it needful that it should be any part of their commission to... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 3:1

1. of Jesus Christ—Greek, "Christ Jesus." The office is the prominent thought in the latter arrangement; the person, in the former. He here marks the Messiahship of "Christ," maintained by him as the origin of his being a "prisoner," owing to the jealousy of the Jews being roused at his preaching it to the Gentiles. His very bonds were profitable to ("for" or "in behalf of you") Gentiles (Ephesians 3:13; 2 Timothy 2:10). He digresses at "For this cause," and does not complete the sentence which... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 3:2

2. If—The Greek does not imply doubt: "Assuming (what I know to be the fact, namely) that ye have heard," c. "If, as I presume," The indicative in the Greek shows that no doubt is implied: "Seeing that doubtless," &c. He by this phrase delicately reminds them of their having heard from himself, and probably from others subsequently, the fact. See :- showing that these words do not disprove the address of this Epistle to the Ephesians. Compare :-. the dispensation—"The office of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

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

3. he made known—The oldest manuscripts read, "That by revelation was the mystery (namely, of the admission of the Gentiles, Ephesians 3:6; Ephesians 1:9) made known unto me (Galatians 1:12)." as I wrote afore—namely, in this Epistle (Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 1:10), the words of which he partly repeats. read more

Thomas Constable

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

"For this reason" refers to what Paul had said about God’s blessings that are now the possession of both Gentile and Jewish believers. Since God has blessed us so greatly, Paul prayed that his readers would comprehend fully the extent of God’s love for them (Ephesians 3:14-21).His reference to himself as Christ’s prisoner for the sake of the Gentiles led him to digress and explain why he was such. When Paul wrote this epistle, he was under house arrest in Rome. This imprisonment had resulted... read more

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