Epiphany Season · Epiphany of the Lord · Year B
Ephesians 3:1-12
Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles
January 6, 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
Ephesians 3:1-12 Working Preacher
Centers the mystery now revealed, that Gentiles are fellow heirs, and ties Paul's vocation to the ongoing epiphany of Christ.
Ephesians 3:1-12 Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reads the passage as Epiphany on a cosmic scale, the mystery made known even to rulers in the heavenly realms.
Classic commentaries on Ephesians 3 BibleHub
Classic verse-by-verse commentators on the dispensation of grace and the mystery of the Gentiles.
Ephesians 3:1-12 Enduring Word · David Guzik
An accessible verse-by-verse commentary, widely used across evangelical churches.
Background & Word Study
Ephesians and Work Theology of Work
Frames Ephesians around God's cosmic work through the church, background for the eternal-purpose language.
Enter the Bible: Ephesians Enter the Bible
A book-level introduction to setting and the Jew-Gentile reconciliation theme chapter 3 states most explicitly.
Overview: Ephesians BibleProject
An animated walk through Ephesians' design, showing how the new-humanity theme sets up the revealed mystery.
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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