Devine Scripture

Ephesians 3:6

What does Ephesians 3:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 3:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 3:6 means

Here Paul states the mystery plainly: in Christ Jesus, through the gospel, Gentiles are fellow-heirs, fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise. The repetition underscores full equality. Gentiles do not receive a lesser share; they stand on the same ground of grace as Jewish believers. The blessings come “in Christ Jesus,” showing that union with Him is the decisive factor, not ethnicity or prior covenant status. And they arrive “through the gospel,” the announced good news that creates and gathers the one people of God. This overturns barriers and establishes a new humanity, where inheritance, belonging, and promised life are shared realities for all who believe.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Which is that the Gentiles have a part in the heritage, and in the same body, and in the same hope in Christ through the good news,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that the nations be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in the Christ, through the good news,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body: and copartners of his promise in Christ Jesus, by the gospel

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

that [they who are of] the nations should be joint heirs, and a joint body, and joint partakers of [his] promise in Christ Jesus by the glad tidings;

Context

After preparing the reader with talk of revelation and understanding (verses 3–5), Paul delivers the content. Verse 6 is the heartbeat of the first half of the chapter, linking back to the unity themes of chapter 2. The flow will now move to Paul’s personal commission to preach this message (verses 7–9) and its cosmic implications (verse 10). Seeing verse 6 as the defined mystery helps make sense of why Paul suffers and serves as he does.

v.5which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

v.6This passage

v.7whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 8:15

    For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:12

    For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.

  • Romans 12:4

    For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office:

  • Colossians 2:19

    and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.

  • Ephesians 2:13

    But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ.

  • 1 John 1:3

    that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ:

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