Thematic Bible
Ephesians 3:1 (show verse)
This is the reason that I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, [pray for you. See 3:14-19].
Disciples/apostles » What the disciples know
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Holy spirit » The holy spirit witnessing
Knowledge » What the disciples know
Mystery » The mystery of God
Partaking » Who partakes with the lord
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Witness » The holy spirit witnessing
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Holy spirit » The holy spirit witnessing
Knowledge » What the disciples know
Mystery » The mystery of God
Partaking » Who partakes with the lord
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Witness » The holy spirit witnessing
Ephesians 3:2 (show verse)
[Note: Paul here digresses from his prayer, begun in 1:15-16, to explain the circumstances of his being a prisoner on behalf of these Gentiles]. [I assume] you have heard about my commission [to minister] to you, which was given to me by God's unearned favor.
Disciples/apostles » What the disciples know
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Gospel » Called » The dispensation of the grace of God
The gospel » Is called the » Dispensation of the grace of God
Holy spirit » The holy spirit witnessing
Knowledge » What the disciples know
Mystery » The mystery of God
Partaking » Who partakes with the lord
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Witness » The holy spirit witnessing
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Gospel » Called » The dispensation of the grace of God
The gospel » Is called the » Dispensation of the grace of God
Holy spirit » The holy spirit witnessing
Knowledge » What the disciples know
Mystery » The mystery of God
Partaking » Who partakes with the lord
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Witness » The holy spirit witnessing
Ephesians 3:3 (show verse)
[It is] that God's secret plan [i.e., revealed in the Gospel preached to Gentiles. See verse 6] was made known to me by way of a revelation. [See Acts 9:15; 22:21]. I have already written to you [about this] briefly [i.e., probably a reference to 1:9ff].
Disciples/apostles » What the disciples know
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Holy spirit » The holy spirit witnessing
Knowledge » What the disciples know
Mystery » The mystery of God
Partaking » Who partakes with the lord
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Witness » The holy spirit witnessing
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Holy spirit » The holy spirit witnessing
Knowledge » What the disciples know
Mystery » The mystery of God
Partaking » Who partakes with the lord
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Witness » The holy spirit witnessing
Ephesians 3:4 (show verse)
So, when you read this you will be able to understand my insight into the secret plan of Christ,
Christ » Morning star » Mystery of
Disciples/apostles » What the disciples know
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Gospel » Called » Mystery of Christ
Holy spirit » The holy spirit witnessing
Knowledge » What the disciples know
Mystery » The mystery of God
Partaking » Who partakes with the lord
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Witness » The holy spirit witnessing
Disciples/apostles » What the disciples know
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Gospel » Called » Mystery of Christ
Holy spirit » The holy spirit witnessing
Knowledge » What the disciples know
Mystery » The mystery of God
Partaking » Who partakes with the lord
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Witness » The holy spirit witnessing
Ephesians 3:5 (show verse)
which was not told to people of previous generations as it has now been revealed to His [i.e., Christ's] holy apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit.
Disciples/apostles » What the disciples know
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Holy spirit » The holy spirit witnessing
Knowledge » What the disciples know
Knowledge » Withheld from man withheld » Gradual revelation, the divine plan
Mystery » The mystery of God
Partaking » Who partakes with the lord
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Secret things » Revealed by God
Witness » The holy spirit witnessing
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Holy spirit » The holy spirit witnessing
Knowledge » What the disciples know
Knowledge » Withheld from man withheld » Gradual revelation, the divine plan
Mystery » The mystery of God
Partaking » Who partakes with the lord
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Secret things » Revealed by God
Witness » The holy spirit witnessing
Ephesians 3:6 (show verse)
This secret plan is that the Gentiles [now] share in the inheritance along with us [Jews], and are fellow-members of the body [i.e., the church], and that they share, along with us [Jews], in the promise of the Gospel, in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus.
Adoption » Entitles to an inheritance
Adoption » Of gentiles, predicted
Church » Unity of
Disciples/apostles » What the disciples know
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Gentiles/heathen » The gentiles being fellowheirs with the jews
Inheritance » Who is an heir of God through Christ
Knowledge » What the disciples know
Mystery » The mystery of God
Partaking » Who partakes with the lord
The promises of God » Made in Christ
The promises of God » Gentiles shall be partakers of
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Titles and names of saints » Fellow-heirs
Adoption » Of gentiles, predicted
Church » Unity of
Disciples/apostles » What the disciples know
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Gentiles/heathen » The gentiles being fellowheirs with the jews
Inheritance » Who is an heir of God through Christ
Knowledge » What the disciples know
Mystery » The mystery of God
Partaking » Who partakes with the lord
The promises of God » Made in Christ
The promises of God » Gentiles shall be partakers of
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Titles and names of saints » Fellow-heirs
Ephesians 3:7 (show verse)
I was made a minister [of the Gospel] according to the gift of God's unearned favor, which was given to me according to the working of His power.
Christian ministers » Ministers of » Of the gospel
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
God » Grace of » May be rendered ineffectual
Grace » Who the lord gives grace to
Grace » Specially given » To ministers
Grace » Divine » May be rendered ineffectual
Grace » God's » May be rendered ineffectual
Leaders » Heal persecution of » Divinely appointed
Ministers » Divinely appointed
Mystery » The mystery of God
Names » Of ministers » Ministers of the gospel
Power » Of God » Efficiency of ministers is through
Power » Of God » Described as » Effectual
God, Power of » Efficiency of ministers is through
God, Power of » Described as » Effectual
Religious » Heal persecution of » Divinely appointed
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Titles and names of ministers » Ministers of the gospel
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
God » Grace of » May be rendered ineffectual
Grace » Who the lord gives grace to
Grace » Specially given » To ministers
Grace » Divine » May be rendered ineffectual
Grace » God's » May be rendered ineffectual
Leaders » Heal persecution of » Divinely appointed
Ministers » Divinely appointed
Mystery » The mystery of God
Names » Of ministers » Ministers of the gospel
Power » Of God » Efficiency of ministers is through
Power » Of God » Described as » Effectual
God, Power of » Efficiency of ministers is through
God, Power of » Described as » Effectual
Religious » Heal persecution of » Divinely appointed
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Titles and names of ministers » Ministers of the gospel
Ephesians 3:8 (show verse)
This favor of preaching the unfathomable riches of Christ to the Gentiles was given to me [even though] I am the least significant of all saints [i.e., God's holy people].
Gentiles/heathen » The apostle of the gentiles/heathen
Grace » Who the lord gives grace to
Mystery » The mystery of God
Preciousness of Christ » Unsearchable
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Riches » The true riches
Riches, spiritual » General references to » Unsearchable
Spiritual » Riches general references to » Unsearchable
Grace » Who the lord gives grace to
Mystery » The mystery of God
Preciousness of Christ » Unsearchable
Resurrection » What the lord has revealed
Riches » The true riches
Riches, spiritual » General references to » Unsearchable
Spiritual » Riches general references to » Unsearchable
Ephesians 3:9 (show verse)
[I was given the responsibility] to enlighten all people regarding the working out of God's secret plan, which has been kept hidden for ages in [the heart of] God, who created everything.
Ephesians 3:10 (show verse)
This was done so that now God's many-sided wisdom could be made known through the church, to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms [Note: "Heavenly realms" here refers to the world around us, where these angelic beings (good or bad) view the unfolding of God's wonderful plan],
Angels » Know and delight in the gospel of Christ
Angels » Called » Principalities » Powers
Boldness » Why you can be bold
The church » Displays the wisdom of God
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by the faith of jesus Christ
Heavenly » Multitude » Places
Places » Heavenly
God, Wisdom of » Exhibited in » Redemption
Angels » Called » Principalities » Powers
Boldness » Why you can be bold
The church » Displays the wisdom of God
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by the faith of jesus Christ
Heavenly » Multitude » Places
Places » Heavenly
God, Wisdom of » Exhibited in » Redemption
Ephesians 3:11 (show verse)
according to God's eternal purpose which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 3:12 (show verse)
It is in [fellowship with] Christ that we have boldness and confident access [to God] through our faith in Him.
Access to God » Admission into God's presence
Access to God » Is by Christ
Access to God » Saints have, with confidence
Access to God » Obtained through faith
exclusion Admission » Admission into God's presence
Assurance » Produced by faith
Boldness » Boldness, holy » General references to
Boldness » Of the righteous
Boldness » Why you can be bold
holy Boldness » Is through faith in Christ
holy Boldness » Have, in prayer
Faith » Through it is » Access to God
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by the faith of jesus Christ
Prayer » Private, of Christ » Access in
Privileges of saints » Access to God by Christ
Trust » Of saints, is » In Christ
Access to God » Is by Christ
Access to God » Saints have, with confidence
Access to God » Obtained through faith
exclusion Admission » Admission into God's presence
Assurance » Produced by faith
Boldness » Boldness, holy » General references to
Boldness » Of the righteous
Boldness » Why you can be bold
holy Boldness » Is through faith in Christ
holy Boldness » Have, in prayer
Faith » Through it is » Access to God
Faith/faithfulness » What is achieved through and by the faith of jesus Christ
Prayer » Private, of Christ » Access in
Privileges of saints » Access to God by Christ
Trust » Of saints, is » In Christ
Ephesians 3:13 (show verse)
So, I am asking you people not to become discouraged over my sufferings on your behalf, for they are for your benefit [eventually].
Ephesians 3:14 (show verse)
This is the reason that I bow my knees [in prayer] to the Father,
Bowing » Why you should bow down to God the father
Church » For other leaders » For the church
Ministers » Should be » Prayerful
Prayer » Seven earnest suppliants » For the church
Prayer » Described as » Bowing the knees
Prayer » Examples of » Paul, for the ephesians
Intercessory prayer » By ministers for their people
Church » For other leaders » For the church
Ministers » Should be » Prayerful
Prayer » Seven earnest suppliants » For the church
Prayer » Described as » Bowing the knees
Prayer » Examples of » Paul, for the ephesians
Intercessory prayer » By ministers for their people
Ephesians 3:15 (show verse)
from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its name. [Note: Here Paul resumes the prayer he began in verse 1].
Bowing » Why you should bow down to God the father
Church » Unity of
Church » Its spiritual relationships » Saints in heaven and earth united in
Church » Family in heaven and earth
Family » Its spiritual relationships » Saints in heaven and earth united in
Names » Of the church » Family in heaven
Intercessory prayer » By ministers for their people
spiritual Relationships » Saints in heaven and earth united in
Spiritual » Relationships the church, its spiritual relationships » Saints in heaven and earth united in
Spiritual » Kinship, family of God its spiritual relationships » Saints in heaven and earth united in
Titles and names of the church » Family in heaven and earth
Types of Christ » Abraham
Church » Unity of
Church » Its spiritual relationships » Saints in heaven and earth united in
Church » Family in heaven and earth
Family » Its spiritual relationships » Saints in heaven and earth united in
Names » Of the church » Family in heaven
Intercessory prayer » By ministers for their people
spiritual Relationships » Saints in heaven and earth united in
Spiritual » Relationships the church, its spiritual relationships » Saints in heaven and earth united in
Spiritual » Kinship, family of God its spiritual relationships » Saints in heaven and earth united in
Titles and names of the church » Family in heaven and earth
Types of Christ » Abraham
Ephesians 3:16 (show verse)
[I pray] that, according to God's glorious abundance, He would empower you to become [spiritually] strong through His Holy Spirit in your inner person,
Bowing » Why you should bow down to God the father
Glory » Of God » Rich
God, Glory of » Described as » Rich
God's Promises » Of spiritual gifts » Of strength
Holy spirit » Power of » Fills life with healing influences
Power » Promised » Strength, moral and spiritual promised
Power » Spiritual, general references to » Fills life with healing influences
Power » Of the holy spirit » Saints » Strengthened by
Power, Of The Holy Spirit » Saints » Strengthened by
Intercessory prayer » By ministers for their people
Spirit » Called "the inner man,"
Spiritual » Power » Fills life with healing influences
Strength » Moral and spiritual promised
Glory » Of God » Rich
God, Glory of » Described as » Rich
God's Promises » Of spiritual gifts » Of strength
Holy spirit » Power of » Fills life with healing influences
Power » Promised » Strength, moral and spiritual promised
Power » Spiritual, general references to » Fills life with healing influences
Power » Of the holy spirit » Saints » Strengthened by
Power, Of The Holy Spirit » Saints » Strengthened by
Intercessory prayer » By ministers for their people
Spirit » Called "the inner man,"
Spiritual » Power » Fills life with healing influences
Strength » Moral and spiritual promised
Ephesians 3:17 (show verse)
so that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. [I pray] that you will be rooted and grounded in [your] love,
Christ » Indwelling » Obtained by faith
Church » Holy temple
Faith » Christ dwells in the heart by
Indwelling Christ » Obtained by faith
typical nature of Paschal lamb » Not taken out of the house
Intercessory prayer » By ministers for their people
spiritual Temple » Christ dwelling in » Obtained by faith
Union with Christ » Described as » Christ being in us
Union with Christ » Maintained by » Faith
Church » Holy temple
Faith » Christ dwells in the heart by
Indwelling Christ » Obtained by faith
typical nature of Paschal lamb » Not taken out of the house
Intercessory prayer » By ministers for their people
spiritual Temple » Christ dwelling in » Obtained by faith
Union with Christ » Described as » Christ being in us
Union with Christ » Maintained by » Faith
Ephesians 3:18 (show verse)
so that you, along with all the saints [i.e., God's holy people], will be [spiritually] strong enough to grasp how wide and long and high and deep [Christ's love is];
Ephesians 3:19 (show verse)
and to know that His love for us surpasses [our] knowledge, so that you people will be completely filled with the fullness of God.
Christ » Indwelling » Obtained by faith
Fulness » Spiritual » Fulness of God
Indwelling Christ » Obtained by faith
Life » Christ » Deeper
Love » The love of God
Love of Christ » Passeth knowledge
Intercessory prayer » By ministers for their people
Spiritual » Fulness » Fulness of God
spiritual Temple » Christ dwelling in » Obtained by faith
Understanding » What passes all understanding
Fulness » Spiritual » Fulness of God
Indwelling Christ » Obtained by faith
Life » Christ » Deeper
Love » The love of God
Love of Christ » Passeth knowledge
Intercessory prayer » By ministers for their people
Spiritual » Fulness » Fulness of God
spiritual Temple » Christ dwelling in » Obtained by faith
Understanding » What passes all understanding
Ephesians 3:20 (show verse)
May there be to God, who is able to do infinitely more [for us] than we could [even] ask or think, according to [His] power at work in us ---
Ability » God's Ability » To do exceeding abundantly
Abundance, spiritual » Abundant joys » Abundant power
Benedictions » Other passages appropriate to use as
Power » Of God » Works in and for saints
God, Power of » Works in and for saints
Prayer, answers to » Granted » Beyond expectation
Spiritual » Abundance, of God's gifts » Abundant power
Abundance, spiritual » Abundant joys » Abundant power
Benedictions » Other passages appropriate to use as
Power » Of God » Works in and for saints
God, Power of » Works in and for saints
Prayer, answers to » Granted » Beyond expectation
Spiritual » Abundance, of God's gifts » Abundant power
Ephesians 3:21 (show verse)
[I say] may there be praise to God in the church and in [or, "for"] Christ Jesus throughout all generations of people for ages and ages. May it be so.