Ephesians 3 Study Notes

3:9 The content of what is brought to light is the administration of the mystery, or how God intended to fulfill his purpose.

3:10 God’s intent was that through the church, his multifaceted wisdom should be made known. “Multifaceted” means manifold or multicolored like a beautiful jewel. The history of the Christian church and the unfolding drama of redemption is watched with avid interest by the rulers and authorities in the heavens, an apparent reference to angels (cp. 1Pt 1:12).

3:11-13 The church is central to God’s working in history. The gospel is good news for a new society and new life. Paul described the church as a divine agent and as a divine fellowship with a divine mandate.

3:14 Paul resumed the prayer that he began in v. 1. In this prayer, he asked that believers might be blessed with inner strength, insightful understanding, and spiritual excellence.

3:15 This verse involves some difficult translation decisions, but Paul’s intent seems to be as follows: the concept and institute of fatherhood (shared with minor variation by all cultures) stems from God’s role as Father and Creator of all peoples. It is not only Jews who can “kneel before the Father” (v. 14) and expect to gain an audience, but people from every race and nation.

3:16-19 Paul prayed for inner power, which is the result of God dwelling in the hearts of believers. He asked for believers to be strengthened . . . rooted, and filled via the work of the three Persons of the Trinity: Spirit, Christ, and God the Father.

3:20-21 Paul burst into a grand doxology concerning God’s majestic abilities. He prayed that God’s glory be abundantly manifested in the church and in Christ. Even in the eternal state, the church will bring glory to God forever and ever.