Devine Scripture

Ephesians 3:11

What does Ephesians 3:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 3:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 3:11 means

Paul anchors everything he has said in God’s eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. The church’s existence, the inclusion of the Gentiles, and the display of wisdom to heavenly powers are not temporary experiments; they arise from God’s unchanging, pre-temporal plan. Christ is the center and executor of that purpose. By pointing to eternity and to Christ, Paul reassures believers that their place in God’s family rests on something older and stronger than their efforts. The gospel is not a reaction; it is the outworking of what God resolved from eternity, now fulfilled in the saving work and lordship of Christ Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Which is seen in his eternal purpose in Christ Jesus our Lord:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

according to a purpose of the ages, which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

According to the eternal purpose which he made in Christ Jesus our Lord:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

according to [the] purpose of the ages, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Context

Coming after the declaration of cosmic display in verse 10, verse 11 prevents any thought that this is accidental or recent innovation. It ties the church’s role and the mystery’s unveiling to God’s timeless plan in Christ. This prepares for the personal benefit stated in verse 12—access to God with boldness—and the pastoral exhortation of verse 13. The structure moves from high theology to practical encouragement, grounding assurance in God’s eternal counsel.

v.10to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,

v.11This passage

v.12in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 46:10

    declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;

  • Ephesians 1:11

    in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will;

  • Jeremiah 51:29

    And the land trembleth and is in pain; for the purposes of Jehovah against Babylon do stand, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.

  • Romans 9:11

    for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth,

  • Romans 8:28

    And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.

  • 2 Timothy 1:9

    who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,

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