Ephesians 3:1

3. This blessed renovation was under Paul’s Gentile apostleship, instrumentally, Ephesians 3:1-13.

1. For Paul began his letter with the broad, universal elect, chap. 1; he next narrows to his Ephesian converts, chap. 2; and now, chap. 3, he comes to a point in his own Ego. At this point he starts with fervent prayer in their behalf; but the mention of his apostleship carries him out into a full expatiation of thirteen verses upon that glorious office; and when that excursion is finished, the actual record of his prayer begins at the fourteenth verse.

For this cause In view of your blessed transition from heathenism to Christ, as pictured in the last paragraph.

I Paul And doubtless no human name so thrilled their hearts at the utterance as this I Paul. It is uttered in the majestic style of their apostle, who, however humble in himself, is authoritative in his divine office.

Prisoner… Christ Not Cesar’s, but literally Christ’s prisoner. In every phase of life he is Christ’s.

The reader, casting his eye down to Ephesians 3:14, will there find for this cause resumed, and the apostolic prayer offered. But here, starting at this point from the word Gentiles, Paul first states the call of the Gentiles, Ephesians 3:2-6; next, his own divine commission as their apostle, 7-9; and last, what the mission imports, 10-12.