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Ordinary Time · The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus · Year B

Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19

Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles

June 4, 2027

Christ Embracing Saint Bernard, Francisco Ribalta
Christ Embracing Saint Bernard, Francisco Ribalta, c. 1625-1627Museo del Prado, Madrid
Christ leaning down off the cross to take hold of the kneeling monk, the whole weight of the gesture on one arm.That you may have strength to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.Francisco RibaltaRibalta, who painted a legend about Saint Bernard as a plain physical act.Museo del Prado, MadridThe Museo del Prado, Madrid.Museo del Prado, Madrid
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 19:31-37Jn 19:31-37
Second ReadingEph. 3:8-12, 14-19Eph 3:8-12, 14-19
First ReadingHos. 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
Responsorial PsalmIsa. 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 (3)Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 (3)

Overview & Insights

“That you may have power to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.” (Ephesians 3:18–19)

When the apostle completed his section on the spiritual blessings in Christ (1:3–14), he proceeded to offer a prayer of thanksgiving and petition (1:15–23). After this theological discussion in 2:1–22, it appears that he is once again ready to turn to prayer because the statement, “For this reason” (3:1), refers to what he has just said; furthermore, the actual prayer in 3:14ff. appears to relate to this section and would be a fitting climax to the thoughts that he has developed. But instead of a prayer, the apostle’s thought is diverted to another topic of discussion—one that is related to Paul’s call and mission as a proclaimer of God’s secret. After a rather lengthy presentation of this subject (3:2–13), he returns to his initial intention to pray and subsequently offers one of the most beautiful and comprehensive prayers in the NT.

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Take it further: Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19

Commentary

Enduring Word: Ephesians 3Enduring Word: Eph 3 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on Paul's prayer and the love of Christ.

BibleHub: Commentaries on Ephesians 3:8BibleHub: Commentaries on Eph 3:8 BibleHub

Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Precept Austin: Ephesians 3:1-13 CommentaryPrecept Austin: Eph 3:1-13 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse-by-verse study of the mystery entrusted to Paul in Ephesians 3.

CEP: Ephesians 3:14-21 CommentaryCEP: Eph 3:14-21 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on being filled to the measure of the fullness of God.

Background & Word Study

BibleProject: Ephesians OverviewBibleProject: Eph Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of the argument and themes of Ephesians.

BibleHub: Ephesians 3 InterlinearBibleHub: Eph 3 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek-English interlinear for word-level study of Ephesians 3.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Ephesians 3Catena: Eph 3 Catena

Patristic comments gathered verse by verse on Ephesians 3.

Questions preachers ask

What is Paul’s prayer?

Paul prays that the church, rooted and grounded in love, may grasp the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love and be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:13–21).

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