Ephesians Chapter 3

1. For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—
A. For this reason I,
1. reason- Gr. charin- for this account
B. Paul- Gr. paulos- little
C. the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles
1. prisoner- Gr. desmios
a. Paul could have labeled himself a prisoner and accepted the shame
that went with it, but no, he turned it around and called himself
the prisoner of the Lord, and gave it honor and glory.
b. If we would turn around our natural vocation title and attach it to
the Lord, it would take on a level of honor and glory. You can be
the janitor of Jesus Christ. That elevates your position
wonderfully!
2. of Christ Jesus
3. Gentiles- Gr. ethnos
a. Gentiles in the Jewish mind were dogs. The Gentiles were elevated
in Paul's mind because he attached the Lord to them.

2. if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was
given to me for you,
A. heard- Gr. akouo
1. This dispensation of grace can only benefit me to its full extent if I hear it
and believe it.
B. dispensation- Gr. oikonomia
1. This is the dispensation of grace- the church age.
C. grace of God
1. In this age God is not judging the sins of mankind or treating people as
they deserve.
2. God's judgment however will be poured out once this age is over.
D. given- Gr. didomi
1. Everything we have in the Christian life is given to us. We receive them
by revelation and faith.
E. for you
1. It is important to note that everything we receive for the Lord is not just
for us, but to be given to others.
3. how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly
written already,
A. revelation- Gr. apokulupsis- to uncover what has been hidden
1. The Holy Spirit has been sent to reveal the hidden things of God.
2. These things are not hidden from us, but hidden for us.
3. Paul's prayers mainly consisted of prayer for wisdom and revelation of
those things that are ours already in Christ.
B. made known- Gr. gnorizo
1. The most important things for a Christian is to know Christ, who they are
in Him, who He is in them, and what He has given them.
2. Paul used the word know 93 times in his epistles. It is imperative we
know, because faith begins at the place of knowing.
C. mystery- Gr. musterion- hidden thing
1. The things of God are a mystery to unbelievers. We are called into Christ
to know and understand the mysteries of God. In Jesus' earthly ministry
He told parables which were mysteries to those who heard them. Jesus
would pull His followers to Him and disclose those mysteries.
2. Relying on the Holy Spirit in the study of the Word and in prayer we will
understand the mysteries of God.
3. Praying in the Spirit aids in the understanding of the mysteries of God. 1
Cor. 14:2
D. briefly - Gr. oligos- small, few, briefly
1. I believe this speaks of a previous letter written to the Ephesians. As Paul
was a preacher, his briefly is different than what we think as brief. It was
probably a long letter in our estimation!
E. written already- Gr. prographo
1. This could mean what He had written previously in the chapters before.
However, I believe Paul had written previously to the Ephesians but we
do not have that letter. It was not scripture.

4. by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery
of Christ),
A. by which,
1. By which has been written
B. when you read,
1. when- We need to make a habit of reading the Word. Here
 understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of Christ is contingent
on "when you read".
2. you- This is something we need to do for ourselves.
3. read- Gr. anaginosko- to distinguish between, to recognize, to know
accurately, to acknowledge, to know certainly, know again, to read
a. Reading the Word is a vital discipline for every Christian. 1 Tim.
4:13 We as a society have gone away from reading.
b. This word “read” means to know again and also know accurately.
We need to read and reread the Word. We get something new
and get established in what we already know.
c. The Holy Spirit works in tandem with the Word to impart
revelation to man. The two vital disciplines that will aid in
revelation is time spent praying in the Spirit and time spent in
God's Word. These two work together.
C. you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ
1. may understand- Gr. noieo- to perceive with the mind
2. knowledge- Gr. sunesis- a running together, a flowing together with,
uniting, union, putting it together
a. Sometimes it seems the Word is a bunch of puzzle pieces that are
disconnected. Through the Holy Spirit and giving attending to
reading all of the Word, these pieces will start coming together.
The Spirit will start putting together the Word so you can see the
big picture.
3. mystery of Christ
a. To most Christ is a mystery. They just see a historical figure that
died on a cross. Through revelation we see that we were in union
with Christ on the cross, burial, and resurrection. We are now in
union with the Christ. We share His divine life and calling as
believers.

5. which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now
been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
A. which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men,
1. other ages- Gr. heteros genea- generations not of the same kind
a. There have been other time periods in which God has dealt with
man differently.
b. It was a mystery in the OT that God would take on flesh and join all
 humanity- Jew and Gentile- to Himself at the cross and in
resurrection for all those who believe in Him.
2. made known- Gr. gnorizo
3. sons of men- Gr. huios anthropos
B. as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets
1. now
a. In the church age we live in.
2. been revealed- Gr. apokalupto- to uncover what has been hid
3. by the Spirit
a. The Holy Spirit has been sent to reveal and uncover to us what has
been hidden for us. 1 Cor. 2:12
4. holy- Gr. hagios
a. The apostles and prophets were holy, but before you put them on
a high shelf out of sight and reach, you are also holy! All believers
are called holy 60 times in the NT.
5. apostles- Gr. apostolos- sent ones with authority
6. prophets- Gr. prophetes- who speak forth divine messages
a. These were the apostles and prophets who were used to write the
NT. These are foundational apostles and prophets. Eph. 2:20

6. that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of
His promise in Christ through the gospel,
A. that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs,
1. Gentiles- Gr. ethnos
a. Jesus represented all of mankind at the cross. He is called the last
Adam, not the last Jew! Adam was not a Jew. Jesus took Adam and all
that was in Him into Himself and crucified it. In resurrection He is the
first man- the new man. This new race is those that believe upon God
for righteousness. Only those who believe upon Christ are part of the
new man. This new man is comprised of believing Jews and Gentiles.
This new man is the church of Jesus Christ.
2. fellow heirs- Gr. sugkleronomos
a. The Gentiles are an heir of the promise given to Abraham- "In thee all
the nations of the earth shall be blessed." Gen. 22:18. Notice this
says every nation, not every person! Every nation will be represented
around the throne. Some from every nation will be saved by faith in
Christ. Rev. 5:9
 B. of the same body,
1. same body- Gr. sussomos
a. Believing Jews and Gentiles comprise the body of Christ.
C. and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.
1. partakers- Gr. summetochos
2. His promise- Gr. epaggleia
a. This was the promise given to Abraham- in thee all the nations of the
earth shall be blessed. Gen. 22:18
3. in Christ
a. IN THEE all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. Christ is the Seed
of Abraham. You must believe upon Christ to be in Him. If you are in
Him then you are blessed!
4. through the gospel
a. The gospel is good news that we are blessed not because of how good
we are but because of the righteousness of God given to us by faith
in Christ. He is our sacrifice and propitiation for our sins.

7. of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to
me by the effective working of His power.
A. became- Gr. ginomai- to come into a new state
B. minister- Gr. diakonos- servant, deacon
1. A deacon is the first level of Christian leadership in the church. A deacon
was a servant of all. There are higher levels of Christian leadership but
one never leaves the character and calling of a servant. A pastor of a
church is the chief servant-deacon. He is not to be served but to serve
just as Jesus did not come to be served by to serve.
C. gift- Gr. dorea
1. God gives us a gift to serve in the body of Christ. We are not to serve out
of our natural selves.
D. grace of God
1. We have been grace to serve others.
E. given- Gr. didomi
F. effective working- Gr. energeia
1. God gives divine energy to us to serve others. We are not to serve out of
our own energy, or we will experience "burn out". It is vital that we are
serving right where God has called us and to those He has called us to. If
not we will be operating in our own energy instead of the grace of God.
 If you try to operate in an office that is not yours you will find it
exhausting and unfruitful.
G. power- Gr. dunamis
1. We have dynamic power to serve others where He has called us to serve
and to who He has called us to serve.

8. To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I
should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
A. To me,
1. The one who used to be Saul of Tarsus that killed Christians.
B. who am less than the least of all the saints,
1. less than the least- Gr. elachistoteros- the lowest of the low
a. This was Paul's estimation of Himself, not necessarily God's view of
Him.
b. Paul taught this principle in Philippians. He said to esteem others
better than yourself. Phil 2:4 The word “better” is a word of rank
not quality. See others as having a higher place than you, so you
can serve them all!
2. saints- Gr. hagios- set apart ones
C. this grace was given,
1. grace- Gr. charis
2. given- Gr. didomi
D. that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ
1. preach- Gr. euagglizo- to announce the good news
a. The unsearchable riches of Christ is found in the good news of the
grace and finished work of Christ.
2. the Gentiles- Gr. ethnos
3. unsearchable- Gr. anexichniastos- what can't be traced out or searched
out
4. riches- Gr. ploutos
a. You might be saying to yourself, "Yes, this is undoubtly spiritual
riches I will have in heaven, but I need some natural riches right
here and now."
b. Dear friend please realize that all natural riches proceeds from the
spiritual riches. Phil. 4:19- But my God shall supply all your need
[natural riches] according to His riches in glory [spiritual riches].
9. and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the
beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through
Jesus Christ;
A. and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery,
1. make all see- Gr. photizo- to show, to show a photo!
a. A new covenant minister is called to show a photo of redemption to
all they speak to.
2. fellowship- Gr. koinonia- partnership
3. mystery- Gr. musterion- that which has been hidden
a. The mystery of the church- one body of Christ comprised of believing
Jews and Gentiles.
B. which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created
all things through Jesus Christ
1. beginning of the ages- Gr. aion- from the ages
2. been hidden- Gr. apokrupto- hidden away
3. in God
a. You have to come to God to see what has been hidden in God. This is
why atheist scientists will never discover the true secrets of the
universe.
4. created- Gr. ktizo
5. all things
6. through Jesus Christ
a. God created all things by His Word. Jesus is the Word of God. John
1:3, Col. 1:16

10. to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known
by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
A. to the intent- Gr. hina- in order that
B. manifold- Gr. polupoikolos- many colored, many shaded
1. The enemy sends various [Gr. poikolos- colors, shades of] trials our way,
but God has manifold wisdom [polupoikolos- many colors, many
shades] in dealing with them! James 1:2-3
C. wisdom- Gr. sophia- skill, intelligence
1. God has mad skills! His intelligence IQ is off the chart. It can't be charted!
God has the skill, intelligence, and love for you was seen in redemption.
Don’t you think He can handle whatever problems you place in His
hands!
 D. made known- Gr. gnorizo
1. Angels learn about God and His ways by His dealing with the church. 1
Pet. 1:12
E. the church- Gr. ekklesia- called out ones
F. principalities- Gr. arche- first in rank
G. powers- Gr. exousia- authorities
1. This is both the good angels and evil angels. Satan has arranged his
kingdom to match God's system. Both have hierarchies in them. God
wants to show the evil angels how bad of a decision they made and
wants to show the good angels what great decision they made in staying
with Him.
H. heavenly places

11. according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our
Lord,
A. eternal purpose- Gr. aion prothesis- an eternal setting down beforehand
1. There has never been a time when it was not God's purpose to create
man and redeem man. It has been His eternal purpose.
B. accomplished- Gr. poieo- to make or do
1. What God purposes to do, He does!
C. in Christ Jesus our Lord
1. God's eternal purpose for mankind is only fulfilled in Christ Jesus the
Lord. It is not fulfilled in Muhammad, Buddha, Krishna, or any other
world or religious leader.

12. in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
A. in whom
1. In context this in whom is God the Father
B. have boldness- Gr. echo parrhesia- have all outspokenness
C. access- Gr. prosagoge- gain an introduction
D. confidence- Gr. pepoithesis- firm persuasion, trust, confidence, reliance
1. This word is in the perfect participial form which means it is something
gained in the past with a settled continued result up unto the present.
E. faith in Him
1. We only have access to God through faith in Christ. Universalism and
Calvinism teaches that man does not need to have faith to have access
to God. They teach man is given access outside of faith in Christ. This is
 biblically wrong. Here we see we have access to the Father through faith
in Him.

13. Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which
is your glory.
A. Therefore,
1. Because we have access to the Father.
2. When we have the resource of the Father at all times, there is no reason
we should lose heart even in the most difficult times.
B. lose heart- Gr. ekkakeo- to be (bad or) weak, to be utterly spiritless, to be
wearied out, exhausted, cowardly
1. When we fail to go to the Father on a regular basis we will end up being
in a bad way. We will be weak, wearied, exhausted and cowardly!
2. Being cowardly and having a lack of boldness comes from a lack of
drawing upon the Father.
3. Elijah got this way. He was busy in the ministry and failed to draw upon
God. He ended up in a bad way. He became weak, exhausted, and
cowardly! 1 Kings 19
C. tribulations-Gr. thlipsis- pressure, straights, tightness
1. We do not have to be crushed by the pressures of life. We can access a
greater pressure on the inside of us to cause us to overcome! 2 Cor. 4:8, 1
John 4:4
D. for you
1. Tribulations that come from serving God will be because you are serving
people. Keep in mind the people whom who serve and their benefit when
you are undergoing trials and tribulations. Jesus did! Jesus endured the
cross because of the joy set before Him. Heb. 12:2 You and me my friend
was the joy set before Him that helped Him endure the cross!
E. your glory- Gr. doxa- a condition of splendor
1. Your difficult condition which is for a moment will lead to others
permanent condition of splendor! 2 Cor. 4:17

14. For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
A. For this reason
1. Why did Paul make prayer a regular part of His life? He knew he needed
to draw upon the Father's strength in order to serve him and others. It
was Paul's prayer life that would empower him to endure the trials of
 life and that would cause others to come into a condition of splendor!
B. bow my knees- Gr. kampto- to bend the knees
1. I am sure this was literal, but I think there is a spiritual aspect to this as
well. To bend the knee to God starts with the heart even if you don't
physically bend your knees every time you pray.
C. to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
1. All prayer is to be directed to the Father through Jesus Christ's name.

15. from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
A. From whom
1. God the Father
B. whole family- Gr. pas patria- all the family
C. in heaven
1. Part of the family of God is in heaven since many have passed on from
this earth.
D. and earth
1. Part of the family of God is on still on earth. We are alive today.
E. named- Gr. onomazo
1. As a father passes on His name to the family, so our Heavenly Father
does to His family

16. that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
A. that He would grant you,
1. grant- Gr. didomi- give
B. according to the riches of His glory,
1. according to- Gr. kata- down from, dominated by, concerning
2. riches- Gr. ploutos
3. glory- Gr. doxa- excellent splendor
a. We see in Exodus when God reveals His glory, He revealed His
goodness, grace, and mercy. Exod. 18
C. to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man
1. strengthened- Gr. kratiaoo- to exercise ruling power
2. might- Gr. dunamis- the release of inherent power
3. His Spirit
a. The Holy Spirit
b. In the New Covenant the Holy Spirit is given to us to cause us to
 walk in all of God's statutes. Ezek. 36:27 That is "cause us" not
"make us". It is our choice to cooperate with the Holy Spirit by
faith.
c. We are strengthened in the inner man by the Word of God and by
the Spirit through praying in the Holy Spirit.
4. inner man- Gr. eso anthropos
a. The inner man is the spirit and soul of man. The outer man is the
body. The outward man is perishing, but the inner man is being
renewed day by day. 2 Cor. 4:16
b. This is the same as the hidden man of the heart. 1 Pet. 3:4
c. The Holy Spirit imparts strength through our spirit into our soul.
We have a choice to walk by soul power [will power] or by Spirit
power.

17. that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted
and grounded in love,
A. that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
1. Christ- The Anointed One
2. dwell- Gr. katoikeo- to settle down in comfortably
3. in your hearts
a. The heart of man is comprised of both spirit and soul. Christ
automatically dwells in a believer's reborn spirit when they are
born again. This verse is referring to the soul.
b. We want Christ to inhabit not only our spirit but settle down
comfortably in our soul. Christ cannot dwell comfortably in most
Christian's souls because it is contrary to the Word of God and the
ways of God.
c. The more our soul is renewed the more Christ can dwell in it
comfortably.
4. through faith
a. As we renew our minds and walk in faith in who we are in the
Spirit, then Christ will start dwelling comfortably in our soul.
b. Believing in God's love for you will cause Christ to dwell
comfortably in your soul. Whenever you are filled with guilt,
condemnation, and fear Christ cannot dwell comfortably in your
soul.
B. that you,
 C. being rooted and grounded in love
1. rooted- Gr. rhizoo
a. A root comes through a planted seed.
b. The seed of the Word of God concerning His love for us needs to
be planted in our heart. This takes place by meditation on the
Word.
2. grounded- Gr. themelioo
a. We need to be rooted in the "theme" of God's love. This should be
the major theme of our study, thoughts, ambition, and focus.
3. love- Gr. agape
a. God's unconditional and unending love for me. We need
personalize God's love to us. Don't water it down by only speaking
of His love for all of mankind. Say, "God so loved me He gave only
begotten Son..."

18. may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length
and depth and height—
A. able- Gr. exischuo- to have full strength, that is, be entirely competent, to be
eminently able
1. If you have God's love for you rooted in your heart you will be
completely able to understand and comprehend all other things about
God. The love of God opens up the heart to receive!
2. A heart gripped with condemnation, shame, and fear will not be able to
receive the revelations of God.
B. comprehend- Gr. katalambano- lay hold upon, seize upon, hold down for
one's own self
1. We need our own revelation of God's love for us. We can't live off
someone else's revelation of love.
C. all the saints
1. One of the chief aspects of the love of God is that it is not selfish. That is
why prayed that not only would he get this revelation but all of the
saints would get it as well.
D. width- Gr. platos
1. God's love is so wide it takes in all people everywhere.
E. length- Gr. mekos
1. God has loved us with an everlasting love.
F. depth- Gr. bathos
 1. God so loved us He went to the lowest hell for us.
G. height- Gr. hupsos
1. God's love has brought those who believe upon Him to the highest
heaven with Him and seated us with Him.
2. The width, length, depth, and height of God's love are the dimensions of
the cross of Christ!

19. to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled
with all the fullness of God.
A. to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge,
1. know- Gr. ginosko- to know by experience and by relationship
2. love of Christ
a. God's divine love that is unconditional and unending.
3. passes- Gr. huperballo- to throw beyond
4. knowledge- Gr. gnosis- intellectual knowledge
a. Mere intellect can't grasp God's love. It must be spiritually discerned
and received.
B. that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
1. filled- Gr. pleroo
2. fullness- Gr. pleroma
a. The Gnostics used this word to describe a span of spirit beings from
God to earth. They called it the pleroma.
b. God's love is the pleroma. It bridges from God to earth, so we can
come over to where God is!

20. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask
or think, according to the power that works in us,
A. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we
ask or think,
1. able- Gr. dunamai- able, capable, having ability
a. God is able but we must be able to receive. This verse needs to be
read in context with what went before it. Paul had been talked
about a revelation of the love of God. When we have a revelation
of love working in our life it will cause our heart to be able to
receive in a greater dimension. The level of our receiving the love
of God for us is the level God can do exceedingly abundantly
above what we ask or think, according to the power that works in
 us.
b. If we don't understand, believe, or accept God's love it stops the
flow of God's power and grace in our life.
2. exceedingly- Gr. huper- above
3. abundantly- Gr. ek perissos- out of over and above, more than is
necessary, super added; superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon
pre-eminence, superiority, advantage, more eminent, more remarkable,
more excellent
4. above all- Gr. huper
5. ask- Gr. aiteo
6. think- Gr. noieo-to think upon, heed, ponder, consider
B. according to the power that works in us
1. power- Gr. dunamis- able, capable, to have ability
a. This power is activated by the love of God that has been rooted in
us.
2. works in- Gr. energeo- to have energy released
a. Faith works by love.

21. to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and
ever. Amen.
A. to Him
1. God the Father to whom all glory finds its end and goal.
B. be glory- Gr. doxa
1. God's goodness, grace, and mercy are seen in the church. This is God's
glory.
C. church- Gr. ecclesia- called out ones
D. by Christ Jesus
1. All things are through Jesus from the Father, and all things in order to be
accepted must come back to the Father through Jesus.
E. generations- Gr. genea- the whole multitude of men living at the same time
an age (i.e. the time ordinarily occupied be each successive generation), a
space of 30 - 33 years
1. This speaks of all past generations of men and all future generations of
men.
F. forever and ever- Gr. aion aion
G. Amen- Gr. amen- it is so