The Mystery Revealed
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God Acts 9:15which was given to me for you, 3 Acts 22:17, 21; 26:16how that by revelation (Rom. 11:25; 16:25; Eph. 3:4, 9; 6:19); Col. 1:26; 4:3He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles Gal. 3:28, 29should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 Rom. 15:16of which I became a minister Rom. 1:5according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by Rom. 15:18the effective working of His power.
Purpose of the Mystery
8 To me, (1 Cor. 15:9)who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles (Col. 1:27; 2:2, 3)the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 1 Pet. 1:12to the intent that now (1 Tim. 3:16)the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church Eph. 1:21; 6:12; Col. 1:16; 2:10, 15to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,11 (Eph. 1:4, 11)according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access 2 Cor. 3:4; Heb. 4:16; 10:19, 35; (1 John 2:28; 3:21)with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Phil. 1:14Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, 2 Cor. 1:6which is your glory.
Appreciation of the Mystery
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Eph. 1:3Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, (Eph. 1:7; 2:4; Phil. 4:19)according to the riches of His glory, 1 Cor. 16:13; Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:11to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in Rom. 7:22the inner man, 17 John 14:23; Rom. 8:9; 2 Cor. 13:5; (Eph. 2:22)that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, Col. 1:23being rooted and grounded in love, 18 Eph. 1:18may be able to comprehend with all the saints Rom. 8:39what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled Eph. 1:23with all the fullness of God.
20 Now Rom. 16:25to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly 1 Cor. 2:9above all that we ask or think, Col. 1:29according to the power that works in us, 21 Rom. 11:36to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.