Ephesians 3:10

Ephesians 3:10 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
• English Standard Version (ESV)so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
• New King James Version (NKJV)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,
• New Living Translation (NLT)God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Context of Ephesians 3:10

8Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Ephesians 3:10 word by word

ἵνα γνωρισθῇ νῦν ταῖς ἀρχαῖς καὶ ταῖς ἐξουσίαις ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις διὰ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἡ πολυποίκιλος σοφία τοῦ θεοῦRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• To the intent thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• nowνῦνnun · nowG3568
• unto the principalitiesἀρχήarchē · beginningG746
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• powersἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• heavenlyἐπουράνιοςepouranios · heavenlyG2032
• might be knownγνωρίζωgnōrizō · to make knownG1107
• byδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• the churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
• the manifoldπολυποίκιλοςpolupoikilos · manifoldG4182
• wisdomσοφίαsophia · wisdomG4678
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for Ephesians 3:10

• Exodus 25:17“Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
• Psalms 103:20Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
• Psalms 148:1Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.
• Isaiah 6:2Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
• Ezekiel 3:12Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound as the glory of the Lord rose from the place where it was standing.
• 1 Peter 1:12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
• Revelation 5:9And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
• Ephesians 1:21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
• Romans 8:38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
• Colossians 1:16For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
• 1 Peter 3:22who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
• Ephesians 1:3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
• Ephesians 1:8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
• Psalms 104:24How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
• Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
• Romans 11:33Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

Commentaries on Ephesians 3:10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10That now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places - Who are these principalities and powers? Some think evil angels are intended, because they are thus denominated, Ephesians 6:12. Others think good angels are meant; for as these heavenly beings are curious to investigate the wondrous economy of the Gospel, though they are not its immediate objects, see 1 Peter 1:12, it is quite consistent with the goodness of God to give them that…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10To the intent - Greek, “that” ̔́ HinaThe sense is, that it was with this design, or that this was the purpose for which all things were made. One grand purpose in the creation of the universe was, that the wisdom of God might be clearly shown by the church. It was not enough to evince it by the formation of the sun, the stars, the earth, the seas, the mountains, the floods. It was not enough to show it by the creation of intelligent beings, the formation…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-12Verses 8-12 Those whom God advances to honourable employments, he makes low in their own eyes; and where God gives grace to be humble, there he gives all other needful grace. How highly he speaks of Jesus Christ; the unsearchable riches of Christ! Though many are not enriched with these riches; yet how great a favour to have them preached among us, and to have an offer of them! And if we are not enriched with them it is our own fault. The first creation…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10The church has an important purpose in God's plan. It is meant to show to the entire universe how wise God is. The church displays God's wisdom in all its rich variety. This wisdom is shown through how God saves people from sin and brings them into his family (see Romans 11:33–36). the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms: See Ephesians 1:21 and corresponding study note.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. The design of God in giving Paul grace to proclaim to the Gentiles the mystery of salvation heretofore hidden. now--first: opposed to "hidden from the beginning of the world" (Ep 3:5). unto the principalities and--Greek adds "the" powers--unto the various orders of good angels primarily, as these dwell "in the heavenly places" in the highest sense; "known" to their adoring joy (1Ti 3:16; 1Pe 1:12). Secondarily, God's wisdom in redemption is made known…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 3:10

• Angel (a Spirit)
• God Continued...
• Gospel
• Minister, Christian
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Wisdom of God
• Boldness
• Effectual
• Fall of man
• Ground
• Inner
• Mystery
• Purpose

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