The Mystery of Christ Has Now Been Revealed
Paul begins this chapter by explaining why he is a prisoner. He writes:
“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles…” — Ephesians 3:1
Although Paul was physically imprisoned by Rome, he viewed himself as Christ’s prisoner. He understood that his circumstances were under God’s sovereign control and were being used to advance the Gospel.
Paul then speaks of a “mystery”:
“…by revelation He made known to me the mystery…” — Ephesians 3:3
In the New Testament, a mystery is not something mysterious or impossible to understand; it is a truth that was previously hidden but has now been revealed by God. Paul explains this mystery:
“…that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.” — Ephesians 3:6
This does not mean the Old Testament gave no indication that the Gentiles would be blessed. Rather, what had not been fully revealed was that Jews and Gentiles would become one body in Christ, sharing equally in God’s promises through faith.
Paul considered it an extraordinary privilege to proclaim this Gospel:
“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” — Ephesians 3:8
This reminds us that the Gospel is for every nation, culture, and people group. In Christ there are no second-class citizens. God’s saving plan has always been larger than one nation—it embraces all who believe. Like Paul, we should view it as a great privilege to share the unsearchable riches of Christ with everyone around us.
God’s Wisdom Displayed Through the Church
Paul continues by explaining that God’s eternal purpose is now being displayed in a remarkable way. He writes:
“…to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” — Ephesians 3:10
The Church is far more than a gathering of believers. It is God’s living demonstration of His wisdom before both the visible and invisible realms. Paul reminds his readers that this has always been God’s eternal plan:
“…according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Ephesians 3:11
Because of Christ:
“…we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” — Ephesians 3:12
Unlike the Old Testament system, where access to God’s presence was restricted, every believer may now confidently approach the Father through Jesus Christ. Paul therefore encourages them:
“Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.” — Ephesians 3:13
His imprisonment was not evidence of God’s failure but part of God’s sovereign purpose.
This reminds us that God is accomplishing far more than we often realise. Even suffering can become part of His greater purpose. The Church exists to display God’s wisdom and grace to the world, and every believer has direct access to the Father through Christ. We can therefore live with confidence, knowing that God is working through both our victories and our trials.
Paul’s Prayer: To Know the Love of Christ
The chapter concludes with one of the most beautiful prayers in Scripture. Paul says:
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Ephesians 3:14
He prays that believers would experience spiritual strength:
“…to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.” — Ephesians 3:16
He desires:
“…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…” — Ephesians 3:17
He continues:
“…being rooted and grounded in love…” — Ephesians 3:17
Paul then prays that believers might understand:
“…what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge…” — Ephesians 3:18–19
Finally, he ends with one of the greatest doxologies in Scripture:
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…” — Ephesians 3:20
And concludes:
“To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” — Ephesians 3:21
This reminds us that God’s desire is not merely that we know about Christ but that we experience His immeasurable love personally. As we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit and rooted in God’s love, our lives become increasingly transformed. We also serve a God whose power far exceeds our imagination, giving us confidence to trust Him with every aspect of our lives.
Deeper Waters
Ephesians 3 draws back the curtain on God’s eternal redemptive plan, revealing the mystery of the Gospel, the central place of the Church in God’s purposes, and the immeasurable love of Christ. Paul moves from explaining his unique apostolic calling to offering one of the deepest prayers for spiritual maturity found anywhere in Scripture.
Paul begins by describing himself as:
**”the prisoner of Christ Jesus.”**
Although he is literally imprisoned by Roman authorities, Paul sees beyond human circumstances to God’s sovereign hand. His chains are not ultimately Rome’s doing but part of Christ’s purpose in advancing the Gospel. This perspective echoes Joseph’s words in Genesis 50:20: what people intend for evil, God can use for good. For Paul, suffering becomes a platform for God’s glory rather than a reason for despair.
The central theme of the chapter is the “mystery” of Christ. Throughout the Old Testament, God promised that the nations would be blessed through Abraham (Genesis 12:3), and prophets like Isaiah foresaw Gentiles coming to the light of God’s salvation (Isaiah 49:6; 60:1–3). What had not been fully revealed was that believing Jews and Gentiles would become one body with equal standing in Christ. The dividing wall described in Ephesians 2 has now been removed. This mystery demonstrates that God’s plan has always extended to the ends of the earth.
Paul’s humility is striking. Although entrusted with extraordinary revelation, he calls himself:
**”less than the least of all the saints.”**
The more Paul understands God’s grace, the less he exalts himself. True spiritual maturity produces humility, not pride. Ministry is viewed not as personal achievement but as an undeserved privilege. The “unsearchable riches of Christ” remind us that the glory, wisdom, grace, and love of Jesus can never be exhausted. Throughout eternity, believers will continue to discover more of His greatness.
One of the chapter’s most remarkable statements is that:
**”the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.”**
The word “manifold” carries the idea of something richly varied or many-coloured. The Church is God’s masterpiece, displaying His wisdom in countless ways. Even the unseen spiritual realm witnesses God’s triumph as sinners from every background are united into one redeemed family through Christ. Satan sought to divide humanity through sin, but God displays His wisdom by creating a people united in the Gospel.
Paul’s emphasis on boldness and access reflects the privileges secured through Christ’s priestly work. Under the Old Covenant, access to God’s presence was limited, with only the high priest entering the Most Holy Place once a year. Through Jesus, the great High Priest, every believer now approaches the Father with confidence (Hebrews 4:14–16; 10:19–22). Prayer is therefore not based on our worthiness but on Christ’s finished work.
The second half of the chapter records Paul’s profound pastoral prayer. Rather than asking primarily for outward blessings, he prays for inner strength through the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is sustained not by external circumstances but by God’s transforming work within the believer. As Christ increasingly dwells in our hearts through faith, our lives become rooted and grounded in His love, much like a deeply rooted tree or a building resting securely on a firm foundation.
Paul then speaks of the immeasurable dimensions of Christ’s love:
**”the width and length and depth and height.”**
He does not define these dimensions because Christ’s love cannot be contained within human measurements. It stretches wide enough to embrace people from every nation, long enough to span all generations, deep enough to rescue the worst of sinners, and high enough to lift believers into the heavenly places with Christ. Yet even these images fall short, for Paul says this love “passes knowledge.” It is a love that can be experienced ever more deeply but never fully exhausted.
The chapter concludes with a magnificent doxology:
**”Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…”**
Paul’s confidence rests not in human potential but in God’s limitless power. The same resurrection power described in Ephesians 1 continues to work in believers today. God’s plans often exceed our prayers because His wisdom, love, and purposes are infinitely greater than our imagination.
Ephesians 3 encourages us to: tr.ust God’s sovereign purposes even during seasons of suffering, – treasure the Gospel as God’s eternal plan for all peoples, – serve Christ with humility, recognising that ministry is a gift of grace, – value the Church as God’s display of His wisdom and glory, – approach the Father boldly through Jesus Christ, – seek spiritual strength and a deeper experience of Christ’s love through the Holy Spirit, – and live with confidence that God is able to accomplish far more than we could ever ask or imagine.
Ultimately, Ephesians 3 points us to Jesus Christ, in whom God’s eternal mystery has been fully revealed. Through His cross He has united Jews and Gentiles into one body, opened unrestricted access to the Father, and demonstrated the immeasurable riches of divine grace. He is the One whose love surpasses all human understanding and whose power is infinitely sufficient for every need. As the Church grows in the knowledge of His love and faithfully proclaims His Gospel, it becomes a living testimony to the wisdom, glory, and saving purpose of God throughout all generations.