By Dan Maines

Ephesians 3 Paraphrased
Introduction
† Paul explains that what God once kept hidden has now been openly revealed through Christ, that both Jews and Gentiles are united in the same covenant family (Colossians 1:26-27).
† The mystery wasn't that Gentiles would be blessed, the prophets already spoke of that, the mystery was that they would share the same body in Christ (Isaiah 49:6).
† Early Christian writers such as Irenaeus explained that the church revealed God's long hidden plan for the nations through Christ (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.16.6).
Ephesians 3:1
Because of this truth, I Paul am a prisoner because I serve Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.
† Paul's imprisonment happened because he preached that Gentiles were equal heirs in Christ, which angered many Jewish leaders (Acts 21:28-33).
† His chains were evidence that the gospel had moved beyond Israel and into the nations (Philippians 1:12-13).
† Eusebius recorded that Paul suffered imprisonment because he faithfully proclaimed the gospel among the Gentiles (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 2.22).
Ephesians 3:2
You have certainly heard about the responsibility God gave me to share His grace with you.
† Paul was specifically chosen to carry the message of Christ to the Gentile world (Acts 9:15).
† This mission was entrusted to him directly by Christ and not received from men (Galatians 1:11-12).
† Clement of Alexandria wrote that Paul was appointed as a teacher to the nations so they could know the truth of Christ (Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 4.21).
Ephesians 3:3
God made the mystery known to me by revelation, just as I wrote briefly before.
† The gospel message wasn't invented by Paul but revealed by God Himself (Galatians 1:12).
† This revelation explained how the promises to Abraham would reach the nations (Genesis 12:3).
† Irenaeus taught that the apostles received divine revelation to make known God's hidden plan in Christ (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1).
Ephesians 3:4
When you read this, you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.
† Paul's writings helped believers understand truths that had previously been hidden.
† The mystery centered on Christ bringing Jews and Gentiles together in one body (Ephesians 2:14-16).
† Early Christians preserved the apostolic writings because they explained the revealed truth of the gospel (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.24).
Ephesians 3:5
This mystery wasn't made known to people in earlier generations the way it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets.
† The prophets spoke about Gentile blessing but didn't see the full picture of the united body of Christ (Isaiah 60:3).
† The Spirit revealed this fuller understanding to the apostles during the first century.
† Clement of Alexandria wrote that the apostles received illumination from the Spirit to proclaim the deeper meaning of the gospel (Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 6.7).
Ephesians 3:6
The mystery is this, the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
† Gentiles were no longer outsiders but equal participants in the covenant blessings (Ephesians 2:19).
† The dividing wall between Jew and Gentile had been removed through Christ (Ephesians 2:14).
† Irenaeus explained that Christ gathered all nations into one people through faith (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 4.34.1).
Ephesians 3:7
I became a servant of this gospel by God's grace given to me through His power at work.
† Paul's ministry was not based on personal ability but on God's grace working through him (1 Corinthians 15:10).
† The gospel ministry was empowered by God's strength, not human wisdom.
† Eusebius recorded that Paul tirelessly served the gospel despite persecution and suffering (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 2.22).
Ephesians 3:8
Even though I am the least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to preach to the Gentiles the endless riches found in Christ.
† Paul humbly acknowledged his past persecution of the church (1 Timothy 1:13).
† Yet God chose him to reveal the riches of Christ to the nations.
† Clement of Alexandria wrote that God's grace often works through those who once opposed the truth (Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 2.9).
Ephesians 3:9
My task is to make clear to everyone the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.
† The gospel reveals God's long hidden purpose now fulfilled in Christ.
† What was hidden through the ages became fully revealed in the apostolic message.
† Irenaeus wrote that the incarnation of Christ revealed God's plan that had been hidden since the beginning (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.11.8).
Ephesians 3:10
God's purpose is that now through the church His wisdom would be displayed to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
† The church reveals God's wisdom to both earthly and spiritual authorities.
† The unity of Jews and Gentiles demonstrates the power of God's redemptive plan.
† Early writers taught that the spread of the church showed the victory of Christ over spiritual powers (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.21.1).
Ephesians 3:11
This was according to the eternal purpose He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
† God's plan wasn't accidental but established before the ages (2 Timothy 1:9).
† Christ fulfilled the purpose God planned from the beginning.
† Clement of Alexandria taught that Christ revealed the eternal purpose of God to humanity (Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 5.1).
Ephesians 3:12
Through Him we have boldness and confident access to God through faith in Him.
† Christ opened direct access to God for believers (Hebrews 4:16).
† This access wasn't limited to Israel but extended to all who believe.
† Early Christians taught that prayer and access to God were made possible through Christ alone (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 1.2).
Ephesians 3:13
So I ask you not to lose heart over my suffering for you, because it is for your glory.
† Paul's suffering advanced the gospel and strengthened believers.
† Persecution was often the cost of proclaiming the truth.
† Irenaeus wrote that suffering for the faith was considered an honor among early Christians (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 4.33.9).
Ephesians 3:14
Because of this, I kneel before the Father.
† Paul expresses humility and reverence in prayer.
† Prayer was central to the early Christian life and ministry.
† Clement of Alexandria emphasized prayer as the believer's continual connection with God (Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 7.7).
Ephesians 3:15
From whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its name.
† God is the ultimate source of all life and authority.
† Every group of people ultimately traces its existence back to Him.
† Early Christian teachers saw this as evidence of God's universal authority over creation (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 2.2.4).
Ephesians 3:16
I pray that according to the riches of His glory He will strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.
† Spiritual strength comes from the work of the Spirit within believers.
† This inner transformation empowers believers to live faithfully.
† Early Christian teachers often emphasized the Spirit's role in strengthening believers for faithful living (Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 6.12).
Ephesians 3:17
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, and that you, being rooted and grounded in love.
† Faith allows Christ's presence to shape the believer's life.
† Love becomes the foundation of the Christian life.
† Irenaeus taught that love toward God and others was the central mark of true believers (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 4.12.2).
Ephesians 3:18
May you have the strength to understand with all the saints what is the width, length, height, and depth.
† The love and wisdom of Christ cannot be measured by human limits.
† Believers grow in understanding through fellowship and spiritual maturity.
† Clement of Alexandria wrote that the depth of God's truth unfolds as believers grow in faith (Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 5.12).
Ephesians 3:19
And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
† Christ's love goes beyond human understanding.
† The goal of faith is spiritual fullness in relationship with God.
† Early Christian teachers often described this fullness as the maturity of believers in Christ (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 4.38.3).
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do far more than we ask or imagine according to the power working within us.
† God's power working in believers accomplishes far more than human expectations.
† This power is the same power that raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20).
† Eusebius wrote that the spread of Christianity across the world demonstrated the extraordinary power of God (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 2.3).
Ephesians 3:21
To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.
† All glory ultimately belongs to God through Christ.
† The church exists to reflect that glory across generations.
† Early Christians consistently ended prayers with praise to God through Christ (Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 7.10).
Historical References
† Irenaeus explained that Christ united the nations into one people through the gospel (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 4.34).
† Eusebius documented the spread of the gospel through the apostles into the nations (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 2.22).
† Clement of Alexandria wrote extensively about the apostolic teaching that revealed God's hidden wisdom (Clement of Alexandria, Stromata).
How It Applies To Us Today
† The gospel reminds us that God's plan has always included people from every nation.
† Believers today are part of the same body that Paul described in the first century.
† Understanding this unity helps us see the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ.
Q and A Appendix
Q What is the mystery Paul describes in this chapter?
A The mystery is that Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the same body in Christ (Ephesians 3:6).
Q Why was Paul imprisoned?
A Paul was imprisoned because he preached that Gentiles were included in the covenant blessings through Christ (Acts 21:28-33).
Q How was the mystery revealed?
A The mystery was revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 3:5).
Q What role does the church play in God's plan?
A The church displays the wisdom of God to the rulers and authorities (Ephesians 3:10).
Q What is the ultimate goal of believers according to this chapter?
A Believers are to be filled with the fullness of God through the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:19).
† This is the fulfilled perspective we proclaim at Fulfilled Prophecies †
© Fulfilled Prophecies - Dan Maines.
Source Index
† Ephesians 3
† Irenaeus, Against Heresies
† Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History
† Clement of Alexandria, Stromata