Ephesians 3
Paul explains that he has been given the task of spreading the gospel to the Gentiles, revealing a mystery that was previously unknown to them, and that they are now co-heirs with the Jews in the promise of Christ. He asks the Ephesians not to be discouraged by his sufferings on their behalf, and prays that they may be strengthened in their faith and filled with the fullness of God. Paul also expresses his desire for the Ephesians to understand the depth of Christ's love and to be filled with God's glory. He concludes by giving glory to God, who is able to do all things, in the Church and in Christ Jesus.
By reason of this grace, I, Paul, am a prisoner of Jesus Christ, for the sake of you GentilesNow certainly, you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which has been given to me among youthat, by means of revelation, the mystery was made known to me, just as I have written above in a few wordsYet, by reading this closely, you might be able to understand my prudence in the mystery of ChristIn other generations, this was unknown to the sons of men, even as it has now been revealed to his holy Apostles and Prophets in the Spiritso that the Gentiles would be co-heirs, and of the same body, and partners together, by his promise in Christ Jesus, through the GospelOf this Gospel, I have been made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, which has been given to me by means of the operation of his virtueAlthough I am the least of all the saints, I have been given this grace: to evangelize among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christand to enlighten everyone concerning the dispensation of the mystery, hidden before the ages in God who created all thingsso that the manifold wisdom of God may become well-known to the principalities and powers in the heavens, through the Churchaccording to that timeless purpose, which he has formed in Christ Jesus our LordIn him we trust, and so we approach with confidence, through his faithBecause of this, I ask you not to be weakened by my tribulations on your behalf; for this is your gloryBy reason of this grace, I bend my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christfrom whom all paternity in heaven and on earth takes its nameAnd I ask him to grant to you to be strengthened in virtue by his Spirit, in accord with the wealth of his glory, in the inner manso that Christ may live in your hearts through a faith rooted in, and founded on, charitySo may you be able to embrace, with all the saints, what is the width and length and height and deptof the charity of Christ, and even be able to know that which surpasses all knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of GodNow to him who is able to do all things, more abundantly than we could ever ask or understand, by means of the virtue which is at work in usto him be glory, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, throughout every generation, forever and ever. Amen
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