Ephesians 3
1 For this cause [[I bend my knees]], I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you gentiles;
Because [God has done all this for] you non-Jews, I, Paul, [pray for you. I want you to know that it is because I serve] Christ Jesus for your sake that I am in prison.
2 if, indeed, ye heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given me toward you,
I (assume that/think that probably) someone has told you how God acted very kindly toward me, appointing me [so that I would proclaim the gospel to you non-Jews].
3 that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
God revealed to me the message that he had not revealed to others. When you read what I have already written briefly about that,
4 whereby, when ye read, ye may perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ;
you will be able to understand that I understand clearly that message about Christ.
5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Formerly, [God] did not reveal that message to anyone, but now his Spirit has revealed that message to (his holy apostles and prophets/people who tell messages that come directly from God).
6 that the gentiles are fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers with us of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel;
That message, which he has now revealed, is that because of our [(inc)] relationship with Christ Jesus, [all of us], non-Jews as well as Jews [MTY], will receive the [great spiritual blessings that God has] promised as we all form one group [MET] [as a result of our believing] the good news [about Christ].
7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God, given to me according to the effectual working of his power.
By God powerfully enabling me, and because God acted kindly toward me, doing what I did not deserve, and chose me [to do that work], I became someone who tells others this good message.
8 To me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to make known among the gentiles the glad tidings of the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Although I am the least [worthy] of all God’s people, God kindly [appointed] me to proclaim to the non-Jews the message about the great spiritual blessings that [they can receive] from Christ,
9 to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery, which hath been hidden for ages in God, who created all things; (aiōn g165)
and to enable everyone to understand clearly how God accomplished what he planned. God, who created everything, [has now revealed] this message, which he never revealed to anyone before. (aiōn g165)
10 to the intent that now to the principalities and powers in the heavenly regions might be known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,
[What he planned] was that all (believers/people who belong to Christ) would be the ones who would reveal to all the ranks [DOU] of spiritual beings in heaven that what God had planned is wise in every way.
That is what God had always planned, and it is what he accomplished by what our Lord Jesus [has done]. (aiōn g165)
12 in whom we have our boldness and our access in confidence, through faith in him.
Because of what he has done and because of our relationship with him, [when we pray] we can approach God confidently and without being afraid.
13 Wherefore I entreat you not to be disheartened by the troubles I am suffering for you, since they are your glory.
So I ask that you do not be discouraged because of my suffering many things for you [here in prison]. You should feel honored that I am [willing to] suffer [these things for your sake].
14 For this cause I bend my knees to the Father,
Because [God has done all this for you], I kneel [and pray] [MTY] to [God our] Father.
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receiveth its name,
He is the one who is [like] a father of all [the believers who are now in] heaven and those who are still on the earth.
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;
I pray that, using his unlimited resources, he will cause you to be strengthened by his Spirit {cause his Spirit to strengthen you} in your (inner beings/hearts) with all [God’s] power.
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, ye having been rooted and grounded in love,
That is, I pray that because of your trusting in Christ, his [Spirit] may live in your (inner beings/hearts) (OR, he may live in your hearts). And I pray that because you love [Christ] firmly and faithfully/continually [MET], you,
18 that ye may be able to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height,
along with all other believers, may be able to know how very [DOU] much Christ loves [us(inc)].
19 and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fullness of God.
I want you to experience how very deeply he loves us, even though it is not possible for us to understand fully [how much he loves us]. And I pray that God will enable you to be filled with {have a full measure of} all the [qualities of his character that] he himself has.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
[God] is able to do much (greater things/more) than we could ask him to do, or even that we might think that he can do, by his power that is working within us.
