Ephesians 3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 3

This chapter consists of two parts. I. Of the account which Paul gives the Ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by God to be the apostle of the Gentiles, Eph. 3:1-13. II. Of his devout and affectionate prayer to God for the Ephesians, Eph. 3:14-21. We may observe it to have been very much the practice of this apostle to intermix, with his instructions and counsels, intercessions and prayers to God for those to whom he wrote, as knowing that all his instructions and teachings would... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 3:1-13

Here we have the account which Paul gives the Ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by God the apostle of the Gentiles. I. We may observe that he acquaints them with the tribulations and sufferings which he endured in the discharge of that office, Eph. 3:1. The first clause refers to the preceding chapter, and may be understood either of these two ways:?1. ?For this cause,?for having preached the doctrine contained in the foregoing chapter, and for asserting that the great... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 3:14-21

We now come to the second part of this chapter, which contains Paul's devout and affectionate prayer to God for his beloved Ephesians.?For this cause. This may be referred either to the immediately Eph. 3:13; That you faint not, etc., or, rather, the apostle is here resuming what he began at the Eph. 3:1; from which he digressed in those which are interposed. Observe, I. To whom he prays?to God, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of which see Eph. 1:3. II. His outward posture in prayer,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 3:1-13

To understand the connection of thought in this passage it has to be noted that Ephesians 3:2-13 are one long parenthesis. The for this cause of Ephesians 3:14 takes up again and resumes the for this cause of Ephesians 3:1 . Someone has spoken of Paul's habit of "going off at a word." A single word or idea can send his thoughts off at a tangent. When he speaks of himself as "the prisoner of Christ," it makes him think of the universal love of God and of his part in bringing that love to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 3:14-21

3:14-21 It is for this cause that I bow my knees in prayer before the Father, of whose fatherhood all heavenly and earthly fatherhood is a copy, that, according to the wealth of his glory. he may grant to you to be strengthened in the inner man, so that Christ through faith may take up his permanent residence in your hearts. I pray that you may have your root and your foundation in love, so that, with all God's consecrated people, you may have the strength fully to grasp the meaning of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 3

INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS 3 In this chapter the apostle hints at his state and condition as a prisoner, and at the afflictions he endured for the sake of the Gospel; and whereas he knew these would be objected to his ministry, and be discouraging to the saints, he chiefly insists on these two things; namely, to assert his office of apostleship, and observe the knowledge of divine mysteries, and gifts of grace bestowed on him, which he does with all modesty and humility; and also to exhort... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 3:1

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ ,.... Not actively, whom Christ had apprehended by his grace, and made a prisoner of hope; but passively, who was made a prisoner for Christ, on account of preaching Christ, and his Gospel: he was not a prisoner for any capital crime, as theft, murder, &c.; and therefore be was not ashamed of his bonds, but rather glories in them; and a prison has often been the portion of the best of men in this world: from hence we learn, that this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 3:2

If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God ,.... Not the free love and favour of God in his heart towards his people; nor internal grace wrought in the heart of the apostle; but either the gift of grace, as in Ephesians 3:7 qualifying him for the work of the ministry; and so the Ethiopic version renders it, "if ye have heard the gift of the grace of God"; or rather the doctrine of grace, the Gospel, the subject matter of which is the grace of God; it is a declaration of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 3:3

How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery ,.... Or "is made known unto me": so the Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin version. The Gospel, which is sometimes called a mystery, the mystery of the Gospel, the mystery of godliness, and the mystery of faith: the several doctrines of the Gospel are the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; such as a trinity of persons in the Godhead, the union of the two natures in Christ, the saints' union to Christ, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 3:4

Whereby when ye read ,.... The above chapters, and seriously consider what is contained in them: ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ of his person, office, and grace; and which knowledge was very large indeed. read more

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