Devine Scripture

Ephesians 3:9

What does Ephesians 3:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 3:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 3:9 means

Paul’s mission includes making everyone see the administration of the mystery long hidden in God, the Creator of all. The plan was concealed in God’s wise counsel until the appointed time. Now, through proclamation, people are enlightened to how God orders salvation in Christ. Mentioning God as Creator anchors the gospel in the largest possible frame: the One who made all things has also designed redemption. The universe is not random; its Maker holds a purposeful design, once hidden, now displayed. Paul’s ministry opens eyes to this divine arrangement, showing that the church’s inclusion of all peoples is not an afterthought but part of God’s ancient, sovereign counsel.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And make all men see what is the ordering of the secret which from the first has been kept in God who made all things;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and to cause all to see what <FI>is<Fi> the fellowship of the secret that hath been hid from the ages in God, who the all things did create by Jesus Christ,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in God who created all things:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and to enlighten all [with the knowledge of] what is the administration of the mystery hidden throughout the ages inGod, who has created all things,

Context

After describing the unsearchable riches of Christ (verse 8), Paul widens the lens. Verse 9 explains the goal of preaching: illumination about God’s long-hidden plan. This sets up verse 10, where the cosmic audience—principalities and powers—comes into view. The movement from preaching to people (verses 8–9) to witnessing before heavenly beings (verse 10) shows the expanding scope of God’s purpose, which verse 11 will root in His eternal design in Christ.

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;

v.9This passage

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,

Cross references

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

  • 2 Timothy 4:17

    But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

  • Revelation 13:8

    And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.

  • Titus 1:2

    in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;

  • John 5:17

    But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work.

  • Hebrews 1:2

    hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;

  • Psalms 33:6

    By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made, And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

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