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Epiphany Season · Epiphany of the 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
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 2:1-12Mt 2:1-12
EpistleEph. 3:1-12Eph 3:1-12
Old TestamentIsa. 60:1-6Is 60:1-6
PsalterPs. 72:1-7, 10-14Ps 72:1-7, 10-14

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

A Luther Seminary commentary on Paul's mystery of Gentile inclusion as the content of Epiphany.

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

A Reformed preaching commentary connecting Paul's revealed mystery to the church's call to unity across division.

Ephesians 3 CommentaryEph 3 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse by verse evangelical commentary on Paul's stewardship of the mystery of Christ.

Ephesians 3 ResourcesEph 3 Resources Precept Austin

A study hub gathering word studies, outlines, and expositors on Ephesians 3.

Classic commentaries on Ephesians 3Classic commentaries on Eph 3 BibleHub

A classic aggregator stacking Barnes, Gill, Ellicott, and other historic commentators verse by verse.

Background & Word Study

Overview: EphesiansOverview: Eph BibleProject

An animated overview of Ephesians' design, framing Paul's teaching on the mystery of the church.

Ephesians 3 interlinearEph 3 interlinear BibleHub

The Greek text of Ephesians 3 word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers.

The Church Fathers

Ephesians 3, patristic commentaryEph 3, patristic commentary Catena

A verse linked catena gathering patristic comment on Ephesians 3.

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