Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Ephesians 3

Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

Jesus Christ

Christ Jesus.

Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

grace

Grace (imparted). Eph 3:2-8; 4:7, 29. (Rom 6:1; 2Pe 3:18).

Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

revelation

Rom 16:25-26; Gal 1:12, 15-16.

mystery [See also Eph 3:4, 9.]

Scofield Matthew 13:11, note.

I wrote afore

Eph 1:9-10, 18-22.

Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

ages

generations.

now revealed

Inspiration. Eph 3:3-5; 6:17. (Exo 4:15; Rev 22:19.)

holy

Sanctify, holy (persons) (N.T.). Eph 5:26-27. (Mat 4:5; Rev 22:11.)

Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Gentiles should be fellowheirs

That the Gentiles were to be saved was no mystery (Rom 9:24-33; 10:19-21). The mystery "hid in God" was the divine purpose to make of Jew and Gentile a wholly new thing—"the church, which is his [Christ's] body," formed by the baptism with the Holy Spirit (1Co 12:12-13) and in which the earthly distinction of Jew and Gentile disappears (Eph 2:14-15; Col 3:10-11). The revelation of this mystery, which was foretold, but not explained by Christ (Mat 16:18), was committed to Paul. In his writings alone we find the doctrine, position, walk, and destiny of the church.

gospel

Gospel. Eph 3:1-10; 6:15-19. (Gen 12:1-3; Rev 14:6.)

Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

the least of all saints

1Co 15:9; 1Ti 1:15.

Gentiles

Rom 11:13.

unsearchable riches

Eph 3:18-19; Col 2:2-3.

Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

from the beginning of the world

throughout the ages.

hid in God

Eph 3:5; Col 1:26.

who created all things

Jhn 1:3; Heb 1:2.

Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

principalities and powers

Eph 1:21; 1Pe 1:12.

the church

Church (true). Eph 3:1-10; 5:23, 25-27, 29-32. (Mat 16:18; Heb 12:23.)

Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

According to the eternal purpose

Eph 1:4, 11.

Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

boldness

Heb 10:19; 1Jo 4:18.

Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

I bow my knees

Bible prayers (N.T.). Phl 1:9-11. (Mat 6:9; Rev 22:20.)

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

Eph 1:3.

Eph 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

the whole family

every family.

Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

riches of his glory

Eph 1:7; 2:4; Phl 4:19.

strengthened with might

Col 1:11.

Spirit

Holy Spirit (N.T.). Eph 3:5, 16; 4:3-4, 30. (Mat 1:18; Act 2:4.)

Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Christ may dwell in your hearts

Jhn 14:23; Col 1:27.

by faith

Faith. Phl 3:9. (Gen 3:20; Heb 11:39.)

Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

May be able to comprehend

Eph 1:18.

with all saints

Rom 10:3, 11-12.