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Epiphany · The Epiphany of Our Lord · Year A

Ephesians 3:1-12

Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles

January 6, 2026

The Apostle Paul in Prison, Rembrandt van Rijn
The Apostle Paul in Prison, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1627Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
An old man sitting on the floor of a cell with the books open across his knees and the sword behind him, stopped mid-sentence with the pen still in his hand.This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles … the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.Rembrandt van RijnRembrandt at twenty-one, painting the thinking rather than the writing.Staatsgalerie StuttgartThe Staatsgalerie Stuttgart.Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 2:1-12Mt 2:1-12
EpistleEph. 3:1-12Eph 3:1-12
Old TestamentIsa. 60:1-6Is 60:1-6
PsalterPs. 72:1-11 (12-15)Ps 72:1-11 (12-15)

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

Commentary on Ephesians 3:1-12Commentary on Eph 3:1-12 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on the mystery made known to Gentiles as Epiphany on a cosmic scale.

Ephesians 3:1-12 CommentaryEph 3:1-12 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary expanding Epiphany to the whole heavenly realm.

Ephesians 3 - The Mystery RevealedEph 3 - The Mystery Revealed Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse exposition of Paul's stewardship of the mystery.

Ephesians 3:1 CommentariesEph 3:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators on Paul the prisoner and the parenthesis of chapter 3.

Ephesians 3:1-3 CommentaryEph 3:1-3 Commentary Precept Austin

Deep study-notes commentary on the dispensation of grace given to Paul for the Gentiles.

Background & Word Study

Ephesians (Enter the Bible)Eph (Enter the Bible) Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary background on the setting and themes of Ephesians.

Overview: EphesiansOverview: Eph BibleProject

Animated overview of the literary design and message of the letter.

Ephesians 3:1 InterlinearEph 3:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word-by-word interlinear with parsing and Strong's numbers.

The Church Fathers

Ephesians 3 (Catena)Eph 3 (Catena) Catena

Patristic comment chained verse by verse across the chapter.

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