Devine Scripture

Ephesians 3:2

What does Ephesians 3:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 3:2 means

Paul reminds his readers that God entrusted him with a special stewardship of grace for their benefit. He is a manager of what God has given, not an inventor of a new religion. This “dispensation” means God assigned Paul the task of delivering the gospel to the Gentiles and explaining its implications. The emphasis is on gift and responsibility: grace was given to Paul, and through him it flows to others. His authority, therefore, rests on God’s commission, not personal ambition. The Ephesians had likely heard of this calling, and Paul brings it to mind to frame everything that follows as part of God’s ordered plan for their good.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

If that ordering of the grace of God has come to your knowledge, which was given to me for you,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

if, indeed, ye did hear of the dispensation of the grace of God that was given to me in regard to you,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

If yet you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me towards you:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

(if indeed ye have heard of the administration of the grace ofGod which has been given to me towards you,

Context

This verse continues Paul’s digression prompted in verse 1. Before he prays, he clarifies his role in God’s plan for the Gentiles. He wants the readers to see his ministry as a trust from God, which validates the message he is about to expound. Verses 3–6 will describe the content of this stewardship—the revealed mystery—while verses 7–9 will explain Paul’s empowerment and purpose. Grasping verse 2 helps the reader receive the next lines as divinely authorized instruction rather than personal speculation.

v.1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,—

v.2This passage

v.3how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words,

Cross references

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

  • Acts 9:15

    But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:

  • Acts 26:17

    delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,

  • 1 Timothy 2:7

    whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

  • Galatians 2:8

    (for he that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision wrought for me also unto the Gentiles);

  • 2 Timothy 1:11

    whereunto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.

  • 1 Timothy 1:11

    according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

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