Eph. 3 Eph. 3:1–6 Paul, in bonds for preaching Christ to the Gentiles, showeth that the mystery of their calling, heretofore hidden, had been revealed to him, Eph.

For this cause; i.e. that ye may be further confirmed in the faith of Christ, and more and more built up in him as an habitation of God, Eph. 2:22. The prisoner of Jesus Christ; for Christ’s sake, for asserting his cause and honour: see 2 Tim. 1:8, Philem. 1, Philem. 9.

If ye have heard; this doth not imply doubting, but rather the apostle takes the thing for granted; q.d. Seeing ye have heard; and so some render it. See the like, 1 Pet. 2:3. Of the dispensation of the grace of God: either by grace he means his apostleship, as Rom. 1:5, Gal.

By revelation; not by man, but immediately, Acts 9:15, Gal. 1:12. He made known unto me the mystery; viz. of calling the Gentiles to salvation by faith in Christ, without the works of the law, Eph. 3:6. As I wrote afore; in the two former chapters of this Epistle.

When ye read; or, unto which attending.

Which in other ages; in the times before Christ’s coming in the flesh. Was not made known unto the sons of men: that the Gentiles should be called was formerly known and foretold, but not as since, viz. as to the time and manner of it, and the means whereby it should be effected.

That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs; i.e. have an equal right to the heavenly inheritance with the believing Jews. And of the same body; the same mystical body whereof Christ is the Head. And partakers of his promise; the great promise of the covenant, which comprehends all the rest under it.

According to the gift of the grace of God; either according to the free gift of God, and which was given merely of grace; or by gift he understands all those several gifts (as of knowledge, utterance, &c.) which were the necessary qualifications and furniture of an apostle for the due discharge of…

Who am less than the least of all saints; this the apostle speaks considering his former estate in Judaism, when he persecuted the church of Christ: so 1 Cor. 15:9, 1 Tim. 1:13, 1 Tim. 1:15. Thus modest is the apostle, when speaking of himself, and not of his office.

To make all men; all those to whom the apostle was sent. See; or, to enlighten them; i.e. ministerially, Acts 26:18; as to enlighten them principally belongs to Christ, John 1:9. What is the fellowship of the mystery; or communication of the mystery, viz.

Principalities and powers in heavenly places; good angels, Col. 1:16, 1 Pet. 3:22. Might be known by the church; not effectually, as a teacher or instructor of angels present in church assemblies; but objectively, as a mirror in which they might behold and contemplate the manifold wisdom of God.

According to the eternal purpose: all that God doeth in the work of our redemption, whereby he sets forth his manifold wisdom, he doeth according to what he had from eternity purposed to do, and therein likewise shows his wisdom, to which it belongs to order and determine things before the doing of…

In whom; or by, or through whom, or into whom being ingrafted and incorporated. We have boldness, or freeness of speech. It signifies that liberty and spiritual security, whereby we come to God as to a Father, in the freedom of children, not the fear of slaves, Rom. 8:15, Gal. 4:6, 1 John 3:21.

Wherefore I desire; I pray you. This is an exhortation to the Ephesians, not a prayer to God, for that follows, Eph. 3:14. That ye faint not at my tribulations for you; the truth I have preached to you being the cause of my sufferings, and your salvation (to which they tend as a means to confirm…

For this cause; this may be referred either to the former verse: (Eph. 3:13} For this cause, viz. that ye faint not, & c.; or rather to the 1st verse, (Eph. 3:1} the apostle here resuming what he had been beginning there.

Of whom; either of God, or rather of Christ, last mentioned. The whole family, or kindred, the church of God being his household, Eph. 2:19. In heaven and earth; all the saints, both which are already in glory, and which yet live upon the earth, wherever or whoever they be, Jews or Gentiles.

The riches of his glory; i.e. the abundance of his power: see Rom. 6:4. To be strengthened with might; further degrees of spiritual strength, proceeding from God’s power as the fountain. By his Spirit; as the immediate worker of all inherent grace.

That Christ; on whom this Spirit (who must strengthen you, as being a Spirit of might, Isa. 11:2) resteth, Isa. 61:1 May dwell in your hearts; may intimately and continually possess and fill, not your heads only with his doctrine, but your affections with his Spirit: see John 14:23.

May be able to comprehend, more fully and perfectly to perceive and understand, with all saints, which are or have been, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, the immense vastness, dignity, and perfection; either: 1.

And to know, sensibly and experimentally to perceive in yourselves, the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge; which, though it may in a greater degree than hitherto be known and experienced, yet never can be in this life fully and absolutely understood and comprehended: see Eph.

Now unto him; i.e. God the Father. That is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think; and therefore is able to stablish you to the end, and do all for you that hath been desired. According to the power that worketh in us; the exceeding greatness of his power, Eph.

Unto him be glory in the church; the whole church of Jews and Gentiles. The church only knows the mystery and partakes of the benefits before mentioned, and therefore the church only can rightly glorify God for them.