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,
• 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—
• New Living Translation (NLT)When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . .

Context of Ephesians 3:1

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

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 10:1By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!
• Galatians 5:2Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.
• Ephesians 4:1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
• Ephesians 6:20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
• Luke 21:12“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.
• Acts 21:33The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.
• Acts 26:29Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
• Acts 28:17Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
• 2 Corinthians 11:23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
• Philippians 1:7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
• Philippians 1:13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
• Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
• Colossians 4:3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
• 2 Timothy 1:8So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
• 2 Timothy 2:9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
• Philemon 1:1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear 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