Ephesians 3

1 Paul testifieth that he was a prisoner; because of his stedfastness in the doctrine of the gracious calling of the Gentiles, which he had received by an especial revelation of God, 5 and that in the former ages this was never in such manner made known unto men. 7 That he was made a minister of the Gospel to publish the same doctrine among the Gentiles, 10 and by the Church to make known the manifold wisdom of God to the Angels in heaven themselves. 13 exhorts them not to remiss during his afflictions, 14 and prayeth to God to strengthen them more and more, 17 that Christ may dwell in their hearts by Faith, 18 and that they may comprehend the breadth, length, depth, and height of the grace and love of Christ, concluding with a thanksgiving to God.

1. FOR this cause (am) I Paul the prisoner of Christ Jesus [That is, for Christ cause; or for Christ’s sake, as he also gives himself this Title, 2 Tim. 1.8. and Phil. V.1] for ye that are Gentiles: [that is, because I have hitherto preached Christ, and yet, even in these my bands, do preach unto you Gentiles, notwithstanding the Jews are so embittered against me for it, and have given me over into the hands of the infidels, Acts 21. Or else by mine example and patience to strengthen you in the truth of this doctrine as hereafter, v.13.]

2. If ye have but heard of the dispensation [See of the force of the word herefore the annot. On chapter 1.v10.] of the grace of God, [that is, of my calling of grace to be an Apostle. Whereof see Acts 9.v.15. and chapter 22.v21.] which is given me for you: [or among you namely, the Gentiles, Acts 26:17,18.]

3. That by revelation he made known unto me this mystery, [Namely, of the Gospel of Christ, and chiefly of the calling of the Gentiles, as hereafter is related. Wherefore now this is called a mystery, see the annotate. chapter 1.9.] (as I have written before [namely, in the two former chapters, wherein the sum of the doctrine of the Gospel is briefly propounded by him] with a few (words.)

4. Whereby ye reading (this,) may observe my knowledge in this mystery of Christ.) [That is, how perfectly the Lord hath revealed this unto me.]

5. Which [Namely, mystery, whereof is spoken in the 3. verse] in other ages [or generations, times, namely, before the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh, and his glorification] was not made known unto the children of men, as it is now revealed [this word shews that there indeed some revelations in the old Testament made to the Prophets, about the calling of the Gentiles, unto the communion of the Messiah, as Paul also in the Epistle to the Romans, chapter 9.10,11. proves this out of the Law and Prophets: but that this was never so clearly and so distinctly revealed as now, and especially this point that the Gentiles should be called to the communion of Christ, without being bound to circumcision, and other ceremonies of the Law: forasmuch as almost all the former predictions of the Prophets were uttered figuratively, and seemed to imply thus much, that the Gentiles should be brought to the communion of the same ceremonies. Which predictions are now clearly and nakedly expounded by the Apostles, testifying that this must be understood not of the outward ceremonies, but of the spiritual communion in the worship of the Jews: as Peter was further informed by Christ in a vision, Acts 10:14,15. and as the Apostles altogether also declared this in their Synod, Acts 15.] to his holy Apostles and Prophets, [namely, of the new Testament, who extraordinarily received the spirit of expounding of Gods word; whereof see 1 Cor. 12.28. and chapter 4.11.] by the Spirit.

6. (Namely) that the Gentiles be fellow-heirs, [This word fellow here relates to the Jews who believed in Christ, with whom the believing Gentiles, without being forced to hold their outward communion with the Jews in their ceremonies, are co-heirs of salvation, and fellow-members of the same body of the Church of Christ, and co-patners of the same promises of forgiveness of sins, of the spirit of regeneration, and adoption, &c. whereas otherwise they were strangers before, as above chapter 2.12. is testified] and of the same body, and co-partners of his promises in Christ by the Gospel.

7. Whereof I am become a Minister, according to the gifts of the grace of God, which is given unto me according to the working of his power. That is, according to his powerful working, whereby I am not only called, but also strengthened and blessed in my ministry.]

8. To me, the very least of the Saints [This the Apostle saith in respect of his state before his conversation, when he was a persecutor of the Church of Christ. See 1 Cor. 15.9,10. and 1 Tim. 1.13.] is this grace given, to publish by the Gospel among the Gentiles, the untraceable riches of Christ. [That is, the fathomless and over showing grace of Christ. The epithite here implieth a similitude taken from wild beasts, whose footsteps many times cannot be traced, for to follow and find them out, as Romans 11:33.]

9. And to enlighten all [That is, to open their eyes by the preaching of the Gospel, as Christ speaketh to Paul, Acts 26:18.] (that they may understand) what is the communion of the mystery, which from (all) ages was hid in God, [That is, in Gods counsel and purpose, as is , all Nations, as well Gentiles as Jews, and what appertains them. From whence the Apostle would conclude that then it was convenient, that not only the Jews but also the Gentiles should be reconciled and united by Christ. See Col. 1.v.16,17,18. Others take it for the second creation, but thereof the Apostle spake before] by Jesus Christ.

10. That now by the Church [That is, by the different state of the church under the old and new Testament] may be made known to the principalities and to the powers [that is, to the Angels themselves, as heretofore chapter 1.21. and Colossians 1:16. so called, because God oftentimes useth their ministry in governing of Countries and kingdoms, Daniel 4:13. and 10.v.12,13. For even the Angels themselves are desirous to look into the manifold wisdom of God, in the diversity of the government of the Church, and of the benefits which he bestoweth on the faithful through Christ, 1 Pet. 1.12.] in heaven [Gr. In the heavenly, or in the super-celestial, namely, places] the manifold wisdom of God.

11. According to the eternal purpose [Gr. According to the eternal purpose of the ages, i.e. according to his eternal counsel and decree. See before chapter 1.v.14.] which he made in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12. In whom [Namely, Jesus Christ] we have the boldness [namely, as children to speak to God our Father as the Greek word parrhasia imports; and to glory in the hope of the glory of God, Romans 5:2.] and 8.15, &c.] with confidence [namely, of faith in God] by faith in him. [namely, Christ. For through faith in Christ our mediator, we believe or trust in God, and have cheerful access to God, 1 Pet. 1.21. Gr. Of the same]

13. Therefore I pray that ye slacken not [The Greek word properly signifies to impair, grow worse, or through any evil means to grow slack and remiss. See Galatians 6:9. and is a similitude taken from those, who begin their course with zeal, and discovering some difficulties before them, recoil, or grow remiss for fear of falling thereunto] in my tribulation for you [that is, for your sake: or to be an example to you of stedfastness in the faith. See the annot on ver.1.] which is your glory. [that is, here he consists your glory, namely, that ye wax not remiss hearing of this my tribulations]

14. For this cause I bow my knees, unto the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [This title the Apostle here gives to God the Father, because we have no access unto him, but by Christ. See John 14:6.]

15. Of whom [This may be understood of God the Father, or else Christ] all the generation [or kindred, as Luke 2:4. i.e. they that are descended from one father, and are under one head: as the church by Christ and through Christ is subjected to God as her Father, and from him receives all spiritual life and welfare, and is one spiritual kindred]in the heavens, and upon earth, [that is, of the faithful, not only who live here upon earth, but also whose souls in heaven already enjoy the adoption of children by Christ and with Christ. See 2 Cor. 5.8. Philippians 1:23. although some extend this to the Angels also, see chapter 1.v.10.] is named [that is, not only called so in words, but also in very deed is such as this word is elsewhere also so taken. See Luke 1:32. Romans 9:26. &c.]

16. That he would give you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power by his spirit in the inward man; [Some take this word for the regenerate part of man, as Romans 7:22. wherein the Apostle wisheth that they may strengthened more and more. Others for the inward part of a man, namely, the soul of the faithful with all its motions, in which he wisheth that they mai be endued with strength and courage to be able to withstand all tribulations which are brought upon them from without.]

17. That Christ by faith may dwell in your hearts [That is, continually abide therein with his operation: as John 6:56. and 14.23.] and ye may rooted and grounded [that is, may be confirmed, may be strengthened] in love. [namely, towards God and your neighbor, which is an inseparable fruit and companion of faith, 1 Cor. 13. Galatians 5:6. Others take it for the love wherewith God loveth us.]

18. That ye may be able fully to comprehend with all the Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height. [That is, the exceeding worthiness and unsearchableness of the work of our redemption by Christ. A similitude taken from land-measures who perfectly to know any work or building, use to measure all these things, and to consider them in all their dimensions.]

19. And to know the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge [Namely, that of all natural men, which only by the Spirit of Christ, according to the measure of the gift of Christ, we can now know here, as much as is needful for us to salvation, but shall not comprehend them to the full till hereafter. See 1 Cor. 2.9. &c. and chapter 13.9.&c.] that ye may be filled unto all the fullness of God. [that is, of the knowledge and of the working of God, not that wherewith God is filled, but that which he is pleased here to impart unto us. See chapter 4.12,13.]

20. Now to him that is able to do more then abundantly, above all that we ask or conceive, according to the power which worketh in us, [Hereby the Apostle sheweth that in this thanksgiving he hath no respect to the power of God which is hidden in him, but to that whereof he himself hath given evidence in our conversion, and yet daily doth with us, by the accomplishing of this grace.]

21. To him (I say) be glory in the Church [Namely, wherein only this power and glory of God through Jesus Christ is known, and must be duely praised, and shall be praised in all ages, how much so ever the world doth boast and rage against it] by Christ in all generations, [or at all times] unto all eternity. [Gr. Of the ages of ages.] Amen.