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Ephesians

Explores the Christian's identity in Christ, unity in the church, and how to live out this calling.

Chapter 3

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1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

*Because of this, I am Paul, a captive of Jesus Christ, held for you non-Jewish people.

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

*If you have heard about the kindness from God that I share with you:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

*In a clear way, he showed me the secret through revelation, as I briefly mentioned before.

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

*So that when you read, you can understand what I know about the secret of Christ.

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

*In the past, this wasn't understood by people, but now it's revealed to God's holy messengers and prophets through the Spirit.

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

*So that non-Jews can share in the inheritance, be part of the same group, and receive the same promises as Jews, all through the good news about Jesus.

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

*I was made a helper, following the gift of God's kindness given to me through the effective work of His strength.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

*This grace was given to me, someone who is not even the smallest saint, so I can tell others about the amazing treasures of Christ that are too great to understand.

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

*To show everyone the partnership of the secret, hidden since the world began in God, who made everything through Jesus Christ.

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

*So that the church can show the many ways of God's wisdom to the spiritual rulers in the heavenly realms.

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

*As planned long ago by God, using Jesus as the main character.

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

*In him, we can be brave and easily approach God using our trust in him.

13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

*So, I hope you won't give up during my struggles for you because it brings you honor.

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

*I kneel down in prayer to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for this reason.

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

*Of whom all the families in heaven and on Earth get their names,

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

*He would give you strength, based on his great glory, through his Spirit inside you.

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

*So that Christ lives within you through faith; and so you are firmly established in love.

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

*"Maybe you can understand together with all the other saints what the width, length, and depth and height are."

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

*To understand Christ's love, beyond what we can learn, so you are completely filled with God's goodness.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

*Now to the one who can do much more than we could ever ask or imagine, because of the power within us,

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

*To him belongs glory in the church through Christ Jesus forever, everywhere, no end to time. Yes, that's it.

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