The Mystery of the Gospel

1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...a

2Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of Hisb promise in Christ.c

7I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power. 8Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach among the Gentilesd the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to illuminate for everyone the stewardshipe of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ.f 10His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

12In Him and through faith in Himg we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence. 13So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians

14... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,h 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and depth and heighti 19of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20Now 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, 21to Him be the glory in the church inj Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.