| Chapter 3 |
1 | For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,--
|
2 | if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward;
|
3 | how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words,
|
4 | whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
|
5 | which in other generation was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
|
6 | [to wit], that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
|
7 | whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
|
8 | Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
|
9 | and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;
|
10 | to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly [places] might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,
|
11 | according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
|
12 | in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.
|
13 | Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.
|
14 | For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,
|
15 | from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
|
16 | that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;
|
17 | that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
|
18 | may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
|
19 | and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.
|
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,
|
21 | unto him [be] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.
|