Pentecost Season · The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus · Year B
Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19
Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles
June 4, 2027
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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Commentary
Enduring Word: Ephesians 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 3:8 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Precept Austin: Ephesians 3:1-13 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse-by-verse study of the mystery entrusted to Paul in Ephesians 3.
CEP: Ephesians 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
Enter the Bible: Ephesians Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to Ephesians and its themes of unity in Christ.
BibleProject: Ephesians Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the argument and themes of Ephesians.
BibleHub: Ephesians 3 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek-English interlinear for word-level study of Ephesians 3.
The Church Fathers
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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