Ephesians 3
"Immeasurably more"
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What does it say?
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The whole chapter, in shortThe main points of the whole chapter, in a few sentences.
From prison, Paul explains the mystery God has now revealed: through the gospel, Gentiles are fellow heirs with Israel and share fully in God's promise. Calling himself less than the least of all the saints, he prays that Christ will dwell in their hearts through faith and that they, rooted and grounded in love, will know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. He ends with praise to God, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
Where it is in the Bible: Ephesians 3
All the sections at a glanceA map of the chapter, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Letter
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Mystery Revealed | 3:1-6 | Gentiles share fully in God's promise |
| 2. Less Than the Least | 3:7-13 | Paul's job is to preach Christ's riches |
| 3. Paul's Prayer | 3:14-19 | That they may know Christ's love |
| 4. Immeasurably More | 3:20-21 | Glory to God, who can do more than we imagine |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Paul, writing from prison. He calls himself "the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles" (3:1).
What came before. In chapter 2, Paul said Christ tore down the wall between Jews and Gentiles and made them one household (2:14, 2:19).
What this chapter is. Paul explains the "mystery" God has now revealed. Then he prays one of the most beautiful prayers in the Bible.
A word to know. A "mystery" in the Bible isn't a puzzle. It's something God kept hidden for a long time and has now made known.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4The Mystery Revealed
Paul is in prison because he preached to Gentiles, people who aren't Jewish.
God showed him a mystery, hidden for generations.
"This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus" (3:6).
Everyone who trusts Jesus shares fully in God's family and his promises.
Section 2 of 4Less Than the Least
Paul became a servant of this good news by God's grace.
"Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" (3:8).
Unsearchable means too great to measure.
Through the church, God shows his wisdom even to the powers in heaven.
"In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God's presence with boldness and confidence" (3:12).
Section 3 of 4Paul's Prayer
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father" (3:14).
Paul prays that God will strengthen them by his Spirit, "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (3:17).
He prays that they will be "rooted and grounded in love" (3:17), like a tree with deep roots.
He prays they will understand "the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ" (3:18-19).
And to "know this love that surpasses knowledge" (3:19). Christ's love is bigger than anyone can fully understand.
Section 4 of 4Immeasurably More
Paul ends with praise.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us" (3:20).
"To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (3:21).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "This mystery" (3:6) | God's plan, now revealed: everyone is welcome in Christ. |
| "Fellow heirs" (3:6) | Gentiles share everything God promised. |
| "Less than the least" (3:8) | Paul knew he didn't deserve this calling. |
| "Boldness and confidence" (3:12) | We can come to God without fear. |
| "Rooted and grounded in love" (3:17) | God's love is the soil we grow in. |
| "Love that surpasses knowledge" (3:19) | Christ's love is bigger than we can understand. |
| "Immeasurably more" (3:20) | God can do more than we can ask or imagine. |
Back Then
Most of the earliest Christians were Jewish. Including Gentiles as full members was a big change. Some believers struggled with it (Acts 11:2-3, 15:1-2).
Paul was arrested in Jerusalem after being accused of bringing Gentiles into the temple (Acts 21:28).
Bowing the knees to pray was unusual. Most people stood to pray. Kneeling showed deep humility.
Literal Reader Alert
Does God do whatever I ask? Paul says God can do more than we ask. That doesn't mean he gives us everything we want. It means his power and love are bigger than our prayers.
What are the "rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms"? Spiritual powers. God's plan shows even them his wisdom.
Can love be measured? Paul uses the words length, width, height, and depth to say Christ's love has no limits in any direction.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Paul | Humbled | He was less than the least (3:8) |
| Paul | Prayerful | He bowed his knees for them (3:14) |
| The Gentiles | Welcomed | They are fellow heirs (3:6) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What part of Paul's prayer do you need? Tap one.
Strength inside
Paul prays God will strengthen you with power through his Spirit.
Deep roots
Rooted and grounded in love, you can stand.
How much God loves me
It's wider, longer, higher, and deeper than you know.
Big things
God can do immeasurably more than you ask or imagine.
You Might Have Heard
"God's love is for good church people."
What's true: God's love gathers people into the church.
What the passage is mainly about: God's mystery is that outsiders are fellow heirs. Christ's love has no limits. Paul called himself less than the least, and still God's grace was for him.
Where Jesus is: Dwelling in our hearts through faith, his love beyond measuring.
Good News
Paul prayed for something bigger than anyone could understand.
"To know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (3:19).
Christ's love has no limits. It reaches every person, and it reaches you.
God's mystery is revealed: everyone in Christ is a fellow heir. Paul prays we will know Christ's love, which is wider and deeper than we can imagine.
Big Idea
God's mystery is revealed: all people are welcome in Christ. Paul prays that we will know Christ's love, which surpasses knowledge, and praises God, who can do immeasurably more than we ask.
If this chapter brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that Christ dwells in the hearts of believers by faith. He said faith grabs hold of Christ and makes him present, so that Christ and the believer belong to each other.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Ephesians 3:1-12 on the Epiphany of Our Lord in all three years. In Year B, it reads Ephesians 3:14-21 in late July (Lectionary 17).
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- The Epiphany of Our Lord Year A · Year B · Year CSecond reading, Ephesians 3:1-12
- Lectionary 17 Year BSecond reading, Ephesians 3:14-21
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Ephesians 3, explained in plain words. A mystery revealed, and Paul's prayer that we would know a love bigger than we can understand. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/ephesians-3/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church