Paul, a prisoner for the testimony of jesus, declares his knowledge of what had been a mystery from all ages, that the gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body with the jews, 16. This chapter is a part of long prayer of paul from. Which doctrine he was made a minister, that he might declare the unsearchable riches of christ, and make known to principalities and powers this eternal purpose of god, 712. Verses 20 and 21 conclude pauls prayer in this passage, which began in verse 14. Ephesians with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. For three glorious chapters paul has been outlining of the riches of gods grace towards his people, explaining our privileged position in christ and reminding us of the love of god, which passes all human understanding before he implores us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we have been called to the praise and glory of god the father and our saviour. That is to say, it is within the company of believers in union with christ that god is glorified. The book is quite similar in many ways to colossians, but that book places more emphasis on the work of christ, where this book emphasizes more the involvement of the church. Of the account which paul gives the ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by god to be the apostle of the gentiles. When a person feels good about life, about who and what he is, what he is doing with his life, and where it is headed, a sense of joy is always present.
I will try to crystallize the teaching of verse 16 as simply as i can. The recipients of this letter were mostly gentile christians. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written by apostle paul while he was in prison in rome around ad 62, but more recently it has been suggested that it was written between ad 80 and 100 by another. Ephesians is the goto book in the new testament for an understanding of gods sovereignty in salvation by grace, and therefore it shares much in common with pauls other masterwork. Let us expect more, and ask for more, encouraged by what christ has already done for our souls, being assured that the conversion of sinners, and the comfort of believers, will be to his glory, for ever and ever. I recommend this volume to anyone who is not familiar with the basic themes of this epistle. Ephesians 3 bible commentary matthew henry concise. Paul has emptied the contents of his soul as he has revealed mysteries that were hidden from the foundation of the world.
Up to this point, the book of ephesians has been one long theological exhalation. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Sprouls work, the following are five of the most helpful commentaries on the book of ephesians. Such glorification is possible because the church is christs body ephesians 1. It comes at you so fast and so full that knocks you over. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Two significant prayers of paul are found in this book eph 1. I therefore, the prisoner of the lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. God will exceedingly abundantly provide for us within the context of his purpose verse 20, even as he did for israel in the wilderness.
Now all glory to god, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Verse by verse commentaries by book precept austin. Date the letter states several times that it was written while paul was in prison 3. An exegetical commentary kindle edition by hoehner, harold w download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, ephesians 3. Ephesians 3 niv bible for this reason i, paul, the. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly this is the conclusion of the apostles prayer, in which the power of god is celebrated, a perfection which is essential unto god, and is very large and extensive. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in jesus christ. The purpose of the book of ephesians was to warn the church elders about the false teachers that were teaching a false gospel and to maintain their first love that they held when they first became believers. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading ephesians. Ephesians 3, new international version niv the bible app. Ephesians 3 new international version niv gods marvelous plan for the gentiles. Its authorship has traditionally been attributed to paul the apostle but starting in 1792, this has been challenged as deuteropauline, that is, written in pauls name by a later author strongly influenced by pauls thought, probably by a.
Ephesians 3 is the third chapter of the epistle to the ephesians in the new testament of the christian bible. In chapter 2 and the first half of chapter 3, paul talked about the great transformation that god has wrought in their lives, from death to life 2. Ephesians 3 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. There is not one exhortation in the first three chapters. In a succinct form, this passage contains gods spiritual purpose.
To the saints who are in ephesus, and c are faithful 1 in christ jesus 2 d grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord jesus christ spiritual blessings in christ. Ephesians and colossians have a number of parallels. The purpose of the book of ephesians was to warn the church elders about the false teachers that were teaching a false gospel and to maintain their first love that they held when. Ephesians 3 new king james version nkjv the mystery revealed.
The contents are much akin to those of colossians, but also differ greatly from them. Ephesians and colossians were probably composed at the same time in rome. Of his devout and affectionate prayer to god for the ephesians. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new.
Trying to get a piece of truth from verse 16 is like trying to take a sip of water from a fire hose. Ephesians 3 for this reason i, paul, a prisoner of. Sproul has himself written a very helpful introductory level commentary on it titled the purpose of god. They appeared so vulnerable, weak, and exposed while living in the open in booths, but they had everything they. Read and study ephesians 3 with the verse by verse bible commentary hi, sign out. We may observe it to have been very much the practice of this apostle to intermix, with his.