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

When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . . 2assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. 3As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.

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, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away.
• Galatians 5:2Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you.
• Ephesians 4:1Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
• Ephesians 6:20I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
• Luke 21:12“But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.
• Acts 21:33Then the commander arrested him and ordered him bound with two chains. He asked the crowd who he was and what he had done.
• Acts 26:29Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”
• Acts 28:17Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors.
• 2 Corinthians 11:23Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.
• Philippians 1:7So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.
• Philippians 1:13For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.
• Colossians 1:24I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.
• Colossians 4:3Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.
• 2 Timothy 1:8So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.
• 2 Timothy 2:9And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.
• Philemon 1:1This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-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