Devine Scripture

Ephesians 3:8

What does Ephesians 3:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 3:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 3:8 means

Calling himself “less than the least of all saints,” Paul highlights his deep humility. He knows his past and feels unworthy, yet grace assigned him to preach to the Gentiles the “unsearchable riches of Christ.” Christ’s riches cannot be exhausted, mapped, or priced; they include forgiveness, reconciliation, hope, and every spiritual blessing. Paul’s task is not to make himself great but to proclaim Christ’s inexhaustible greatness. This combination—humility in the messenger and boundless wealth in the message—magnifies grace. The Gentiles are not offered scraps but the very treasures of Christ Himself, brought to them by a servant who knows the gift exceeds the giver.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, was this grace given, so that I might make clear to the Gentiles the good news of the unending wealth of Christ:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

to me--the less than the least of all the saints--was given this grace, among the nations to proclaim good news--the untraceable riches of the Christ,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

To me, the least of all the saints, is given this grace, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

To me, less than the least of all saints, has this grace been given, to announce among the nations the glad tidings of the unsearchable riches of the Christ,

Context

Building on verse 7’s stress on grace and power, verse 8 displays the minister’s attitude. Paul shifts from how he was made a minister to what he preaches and to whom. Verse 9 will broaden the aim to “make all men see,” and verse 10 will show that the church’s existence reveals God’s wisdom to heavenly powers. Understanding Paul’s humility helps the reader interpret the grand scope that follows as God’s doing, not human triumphalism.

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.

v.8This passage

v.9and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;

Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • 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:

  • Ephesians 1:7

    in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

  • Galatians 2:8

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

  • 1 Timothy 1:13

    though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;

  • Romans 15:15

    But I write the more boldly unto you in some measure, as putting you again in remembrance, because of the grace that was given me of God,

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