Ephesians 3:4

Ephesians 3:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
• New International Version (NIV)In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
• English Standard Version (ESV)When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
• New King James Version (NKJV)by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),

Context of Ephesians 3:4

2You must have heard that God has chosen me to do that. He has been very kind to give me this work to help you. 3God has clearly shown to me his true purpose. That was a secret before, but God has helped me to know it. I have written a few words about this already. When you read those words, you will be able to understand. I have come to know God's true message about Christ. 5God did not tell this secret message to the people who lived before us. But now the Holy Spirit has shown it to God's apostles and prophets. 6This is the message of God's good news: Gentiles, as well as Jews, may receive the good things that God has prepared for his children. We may all belong to the same group of God's people, like we are his body. Everyone who is united with Christ Jesus receives the good things that God has promised.

Ephesians 3:4 word by word

πρὸς ὃ δύνασθε ἀναγινώσκοντες νοῆσαι τὴν σύνεσίν μου ἐν τῷ μυστηρίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Wherebyὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• whenπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• ye readἀναγινώσκωanaginōskō · to readG314
• ye mayδύναμαιdunamai · be ableG1410
• understandνοέωnoieō · to understandG3539
• myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• knowledgeὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• knowledgeσύνεσιςsunesis · understandingG4907
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the mysteryμυστήριονmustērion · mysteryG3466
• of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547

Cross-references for Ephesians 3:4

• Matthew 13:11Jesus replied, ‘God has let you know what these stories mean. You understand how God rules in the lives of his people. But these other people do not understand what the stories mean.
• 1 Corinthians 2:6But we do speak about wise thoughts to those of you who know Christ very well. But those wise thoughts do not belong to this world. They are not the ideas that the rulers of this world think are important. Those rulers will not be powerful for long.
• 1 Corinthians 13:2I may be able to speak messages from God. I may understand all God's secret things, and know all the facts. I may have great faith so that I trust God enough to move mountains. But I am nothing if I do not love others.
• 2 Corinthians 11:6Perhaps I do not speak as well as they speak. But I do know what I am speaking about. We have always made this very clear to you in everything that we do.
• Ephesians 1:9He has let us know his great purpose, which had been a secret before. That plan would make him very happy. It would be possible because of Christ.
• Ephesians 5:32This is God's secret and it is difficult to understand. But I am saying that it teaches us about Christ and the church.
• Ephesians 6:19Please pray for me, too. Pray that God will give me the right message to speak. Pray that I will not be afraid to tell people about God's good news. Pray that I can explain God's secret to them.
• Luke 2:10The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen! I bring you good news. This news will make everyone very happy.
• Luke 8:10Jesus replied, ‘God has let you know what these stories mean. You understand how God rules in the lives of his people. But other people only listen to my stories. They look, but they do not really see clearly. They hear the words, but they do not really understand.’
• 1 Corinthians 4:1This is how you should think about us, who are leaders in the church. We are Christ's servants. God has also given a special job to us. We must explain his message to people so that they understand it.
• Colossians 2:2I want all the believers to become strong in their spirits. I want them to help each other because they love one another. Then God will bless them very much, because they understand God's secret message very well. They will be completely sure of it. And they will know Christ himself, who is God's secret.
• Colossians 4:3Also pray for us. Ask God to make it possible for us to tell people his message. We want people to understand the message about Christ that was a secret before. I am now in a prison because I taught people those things.
• 1 Timothy 3:9They must completely believe the true message that God has shown us about Christ. They must be sure in their minds about it.

Commentaries on Ephesians 3:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4Whereby, when ye read - When ye refer back to them. Ye may understand my knowledge - Ye may see what God has given me to know concerning what has been hitherto a mystery - the calling of the Gentiles, and the breaking down the middle wall between them and the Jews, so as to make both one spiritual body, and on the same conditions.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Whereby, when ye read - By the bare reading of which you may understand the view which I entertain of the plan of salvation, and the knowledge which I have of God‘s method of saving people, particularly of his intention in regard to the salvation of the Gentiles. In the mystery of Christ - This does not refer to anything “mysterious” in the person of Christ; or the union of the divine and human nature in him; or to anything difficult of apprehension in…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-13Paul pauses his thought in 3:1 to talk about his role in God's plan. When Paul first converted, God gave him the special task of sharing his grace with the gentiles (see Acts 9:15–16; 22:14–15, 21; 26:17–18; Romans 1:5; 11:13–14; 15:15–18; Galatians 1:15–16; 2:7–9; Colossians 1:25–27; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 4:17).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. understand my knowledge--"perceive my understanding" [Alford], or "intelligence." "When ye read," implies that, deep as are the mysteries of this Epistle, the way for all to understand them is to read it (2Ti 3:15, 16). By perceiving his understanding of the mysteries, they, too, will be enabled to understand. the mystery of Christ--The "mystery" is Christ Himself, once hidden, but now revealed (Col 1:27).Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 3:4

• Gentiles
• Gospel
• Mysteries
• Salvation
• Word of God

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Boldness
• Effectual
• Ground
• Inner
• Purpose
• Revelation
• Riches
• Root

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