Ephesians 3:1

Ephesians 3:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
• New International Version (NIV)For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
• English Standard Version (ESV)For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
• New King James Version (NKJV)For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—

Context of Ephesians 3:1

For this reason [because I preach that you and believing Jews are joint heirs] I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was entrusted to me [to share with you] for your benefit; 3and that by [divine] revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I have already written in brief.

Ephesians 3:1 word by word

Τούτου χάριν ἐγὼ Παῦλος ὁ δέσμιος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·οὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• For this causeχάρινcharin · because ofG5484
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• PaulΠαῦλοςPaulos · PaulG3972
• the prisonerὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the prisonerδέσμιοςdesmios · prisonerG1198
• of JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• youσύsu · youG4771
• Gentilesἔθνοςethnos · GentilesG1484

Cross-references for Ephesians 3:1

• 2 Corinthians 10:1Now I, Paul, urge you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am meek [so they say] when with you face to face, but bold [outspoken and fearless] toward you when absent!
• Galatians 5:2Notice, it is I, Paul, who tells you that if you receive circumcision [as a supposed requirement of salvation], Christ will be of no benefit to you [for you will lack the faith in Christ that is necessary for salvation].
• Ephesians 4:1So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation],
• Ephesians 6:20for which I am an ambassador in chains. And pray that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly and courageously, as I should.
• Luke 21:12“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, and bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.
• Acts 21:33Then the commander came up and arrested Paul, and ordered that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.
• Acts 26:29And Paul replied, “Whether in a short time or long, I wish to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”
• Acts 28:17Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Kinsmen, though I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our fathers, yet I was turned over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
• 2 Corinthians 11:23Are they [self-proclaimed] servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if I were out of my mind—I am more so [for I exceed them]; with far more labors, with far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, and often in danger of death.
• Philippians 1:7It is right for me to feel this way about you, because [you have me in your heart as] I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the good news [regarding salvation], all of you share in [His matchless] grace with me.
• Philippians 1:13My imprisonment in [the cause of] Christ has become common knowledge throughout the whole praetorian (imperial) guard and to everyone else.
• Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf. And with my own body I supplement whatever is lacking [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, on behalf of His body, which is the church.
• Colossians 4:3At the same time pray for us, too, that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned;
• 2 Timothy 1:8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or about me His prisoner, but with me take your share of suffering for the gospel [continue to preach regardless of the circumstances], in accordance with the power of God [for His power is invincible],
• 2 Timothy 2:9for that [gospel] I am suffering even to [the point of] wearing chains like a criminal; but the word of God is not chained or imprisoned!
• Philemon 1:1Paul, a prisoner [for the sake] of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), and our brother Timothy, To Philemon our dearly beloved friend and fellow worker,

Commentaries on Ephesians 3:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1For this cause - Because he maintained that the Gentiles were admitted to all the privileges of the Jews, and all the blessings of the new covenant, without being obliged to submit to circumcision, the Jews persecuted him, and caused him to be imprisoned, first at Caesarea, where he was obliged to appeal to the Roman emperor, in consequence of which he was sent prisoner to Rome. See Acts 21:21-28, etc. The prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles - For…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1For this cause - On account of preaching this doctrine; that is, the doctrine that the gospel was to be proclaimed to the Gentiles. I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ - A prisoner in the service of the Lord Jesus; or made a prisoner in his cause. Not a prisoner for crime or debt, or as a captive in war, but a captive in the service of the Redeemer. This proves that at the time of writing this, Paul was in bonds, and there can he no question that he was…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The apostle sets forth his office, and his qualifications for it, and his call to it. (1-7) Also the noble purposes answered by it. (8-12) He prays for the Ephesians. (13-19) And adds a thanksgiving. (20-21) Verses 1-7 For having preached the doctrine of truth, the apostle was a prisoner, but a prisoner of Jesus Christ; the object of special protection and care, while thus suffering for him. All the gracious offers of the gospel, and the joyful tidings it…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1For this reason: Paul wrote about the amazing salvation that God's grace brings to undeserving sinners under his judgment. He also wrote about the incredible revelation that gentiles can join God's new family, the people of God (chapters 1–2). the prisoner of Christ Jesus: Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned for sharing his faith with the gentiles.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-21As the first chapter treated of THE Father's office; and the second, THE Son's, so this, that of THE Spirit. 1. of Jesus Christ--Greek, "Christ Jesus." The office is the prominent thought in the latter arrangement; the person, in the former. He here marks the Messiahship of "Christ," maintained by him as the origin of his being a "prisoner," owing to the jealousy of the Jews being roused at his preaching it to the Gentiles. His very bonds were profitable…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 3:1

• Gentiles
• Minister, Christian
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Jesus
• Paul
• Christ, Messiah
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• Paul, Saul
• Jesus Christ
• Boldness
• Effectual
• Ground

Commentaries on Ephesians 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings