C M 1. Paul. Imprisonment for their sake.
N P 2-4. The SECRET revealed and committed to Paul's stewardship.
q 5-. The SECRET hidden before.
r -5,6. The SECRET now revealed to the church through the apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
N P 7-9-. The SECRET made known by Paul according to the stewardship committed to him.
q -9. The SECRET hidden before.
r 10-12. The SECRET made known through the church to heavenly beings by God.
(This chapter is parenthetical, and within it is another parenthesis, vv.2-13. Both must be carefully noted)
Ephesians 3)
1 On this account I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles, (Salvation open to the whole world. Cp. Acts 22:21; 26:23.)
2 If indeed you heard of the stewardship of that grace of God which is given me to you-ward: (The grace of God which concerned them and us. Not the grace of God as to "the kingdom", or "the heavenly calling", but the gospel of God's grace as to the church which is the body of Christ.)
3 How that by revelation (revealing) was made known to me the mystery (see 5:32. 1 Tim. 3:16. Dan. 2:18); (even as I wrote before briefly (see Rom. 15:4; 16:25,26. Foreordained. The crucifixion of Christ opened salvation to the Gentiles, and God used Paul mightily to bring the gospel to them. It is unfortunate the 3 world ages and what actually happened in the garden of Eden is a mystery to many. But it isn't a mystery to you.),
4 According to which, when you read, you can understand my knowledge in the mystery (i.e. the great secret) of Christ)
5 Which to other generations (earth ages) was not made known to the sons of men, as it was now (emphatic, this present time) revealed to His holy apostles and prophets (cp. "prophetic writings" [Rom. 16:26]) by the Spirit; (When you take the Word into your heart and mind, the Holy Spirit makes it easier for you to absorb and understand, Then God's protecting arms are over you.)
6 That the Gentiles should be joint-heirs (the subject of the revelation. See Rom. 8:17. Heb. 11;9. 1 Pet. 3:7), and members-of-a-joint-body (a new body), and joint-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus by the gospel:
7 Of which I was made minister (i.e. of the good news concerning the "secret"), according to the gift of the grace of God given to me according to the working of His power. (God's power is a gift to those who love and serve Him. Most people don't ever see that power. It's not a matter of God playing favorites. But He does bless those who have zeal for His Word and work for Him.)
8 To me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, that I should preach to the Gentiles the untraceable riches of Christ; (Paul always placed himself because he persecuted the church at one time so zealously. Then God struck him down on the road to Damascus, and he would utilize Paul to write most of the New Testament. What he became, see 1 Cor. 15:10 [labored more abundantly,&c.])
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world ages has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 In order that (the reason) now to the rulers and authorities in heavenlies (supernatural powers) may be made known by the church the manifold (implies "infinitely diversified") wisdom of God, (Jesus Christ is at the right hand of God in heaven. You can plug into God's power through Jesus. Don't waste this power. Don't be without God's power in this this troubled world and these troubled times.)
11 According to the purpose of the ages which purpose He made in Christ Jesus our Lord: (All hinged there from the beginning. See John 1:1. The purpose of Christ Jesus in the 1st advent was Savior. He won't come as a babe in the 2nd advent. He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords. There will be order under His rod of correction.)
12 In whom we have boldness and access (see 2:18) with confident assurance (see 2 Cor. 1:15) by the faith of Him. (See Rom. 9. Don't shy away from talking with your Father. The 1st thing Jesus did after the crucifixion was to rend the veil from top to bottom. You can boldly approach God. Claim the promises of God boldly.)
13 Wherefore I beg that you not be cast down at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.]
14 For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (This verse going back to the subject of v.1.)
15 Of whom every family in the heavens and upon earth is named,
16 In order that He may give to you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened (see 1 Cor. 16:13) with might by His Spirit in the inner man; (See Rom. 7:22. Do you ever need your spiritual body strengthened? It is God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, that strengthens your spiritual body and gives you true wisdom.)
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith (see Rom. 8:9); that you, being rooted and founded in love, (A plant becomes what it is rooted in. The better the soil, the better the plant. You are a planting of God. Make certain you are rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. That is when God's blessings begin to flow your way.)
18 May be fully able to comprehend with all the saints what the breadth, and length, and depth, and height [of love is]; (I.e God's love in Christ. In breadth, boundless: in length, endless: in depth, fathomless, exhaustless: in height, measureless.)
19 Even to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (The word "passes" is from the Greek word "huperballo" [hoop-er-bal'-o]. It means to throw beyond the mark, or to surpass. It means to excel. God's elect excel in knowledge and understanding. They tap into His wisdom, which helps us overcome this world. We know who causes evil, and we rebuke Satan in the name of Jesus Christ.)
20 Now to Him Who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all things that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ("Exceeding" in this verse is "huper" [hoop-er'] in the Greek language. It means above and beyond. It is good to be tied into God's power. Many of you have a destiny. You are going to need that power, when you stand against the antichrist. God's power allows His elect to excel and be overcomers.)
21 To Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.)