Devine Scripture

Ephesians 3:7

What does Ephesians 3:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 3:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 3:7 means

Paul says he was made a minister of this gospel by God’s grace and power. Ministry is not self-appointed; God fashioned Paul for this task and empowered him to carry it out. The “gift of grace” refers both to his salvation and to his calling, and “the working of his power” points to God’s enabling strength that overcomes Paul’s limitations. This keeps the focus on God, not the messenger. Paul’s service stands as a living demonstration that God supplies what He commands. The church should receive his ministry as divinely given and rely on the same power that raised them to new life to sustain gospel work.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

whereof 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

whereof 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Of which I was made a preacher, through that grace of God which was given to me in the measure of the working of his power.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

of which I became a ministrant, according to the gift of the grace of God that was given to me, according to the working of His power;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Of which I am made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, which is given to me according to the operation of his power.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

of which I am become minister according to the gift of the grace ofGod given to me, according to the working of his power.

Context

With the mystery stated in verse 6, Paul turns to his role in proclaiming it. Verse 7 asserts that his ministry flows from grace and power, providing the basis for his humility in verse 8 and the scope of his mission in verses 8–9. The sequence shows that the messenger’s authority and effectiveness arise from God. This prepares the reader to value both the content of the message and the heart posture of the messenger as the passage moves toward God’s larger purposes in verse 10.

v.6to 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,

v.7This passage

v.8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 13:21

    make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

  • Romans 1:5

    through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name’s sake;

  • 2 Corinthians 4:1

    Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:

  • Galatians 2:8

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

  • 1 Timothy 1:14

    and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:6

    who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

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