Ephesians 3:1
What does Ephesians 3:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Ephesians 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ephesians 3:1 means
Paul introduces himself as a prisoner, not chiefly of Rome, but of Christ Jesus. He understands his chains as part of Christ’s plan and purpose. His suffering is tied to his mission “in behalf of you Gentiles,” showing his ministry focus and the cost attached to it. By placing Christ over his imprisonment, Paul confesses God’s sovereignty in hardship and affirms that even confinement advances the gospel. He signals that what follows is the reason he endures: God has united Jews and Gentiles in one people through Christ. His condition, then, is not a defeat but a testimony that the gospel’s reach to the nations is worth suffering for and is directed by the Lord Himself.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,—
KJV
King James Version · 1611For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,—
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you the nations,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, for you Gentiles:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For this reason I Paul, prisoner of the Christ Jesus for you nations,
Context
The words “For this cause” reach back to the unity described in the previous chapter, where Gentiles were brought near and made part of God’s people. Paul starts to pray, but his mention of Gentiles triggers a pastoral digression (verses 2–13) explaining his stewardship and the mystery now revealed. Understanding this verse helps a reader see that Paul’s imprisonment sets the stage: his chains are connected to the gospel’s inclusion of the Gentiles. The prayer he intended to begin resumes in verse 14, after this explanatory parenthesis.
v.1This passage
v.2if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church;
- 2 Timothy 1:8
Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God;
- 2 Corinthians 10:1
Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you:
- Acts 28:17
And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans:
- Revelation 2:10
Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15
who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and please not God, and are contrary to all men;
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