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

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. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets. 6And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

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 13:11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.
• 1 Corinthians 2:6Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten.
• 1 Corinthians 13:2If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.
• 2 Corinthians 11:6I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.
• Ephesians 1:9God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan.
• Ephesians 5:32This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
• Ephesians 6:19And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.
• Luke 2:10but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
• Luke 8:10He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’
• 1 Corinthians 4:1So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries.
• Colossians 2:2I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.
• 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.
• 1 Timothy 3:9They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.

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