EPHESIANS CHAPTER THREE

OBSERVATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The purpose of the observation stage is to maintain focus on the text at hand in accordance with the framework in which it was written: a framework which is defined by the normative rules of language, context and logic - rules which do not impose undue, unintended meanings to the text , and which largely limit the observer to the content offered by Paul's epistle to the Ephesians and his other writings. In order for any passage from elsewhere to be considered, it must have a relationship with the context at hand, such as a Scriptural quotation or a specific cross reference in the passage at hand by the author. This will serve to avoid going on unnecessary tangents elsewhere; and more importantly, it will provide the framework for a proper and objective comparison with passages located elsewhere in Scripture.

Remember that something elsewhere may be true, but in the text at hand it may not be in view.

****** EXCERPT FROM EPHESIANS CHAPTER 2 *****

.............OR MOVE TO FIRST VERSE OF CHAPTER THREE

[Commentary On Eph 2:19]:

[Compare Heb 3:1-5]:

[(Eph 2:20) Gentile Believers Having Been Built On The Foundation Of The Apostles And Prophets, Christ Jesus Himself Being The Corner Stone]:

[(Eph 2:20) Commentary On Eph 2:20]:

[Compare Ps 118:22-23]:

[Compare Mk 12:10-11]:

[Compare Eph 3:1-5]:

[Compare Eph 4:11-12]:

[(Eph 2:21) Commentary On Eph 2:21]:

[Compare Eph 4:15-16]:

[Compare 1 Pet 2:4-5]:

[(Eph 2:22) In Whom God's Household - The Whole Building - You Gentile Believers - Are Also Being Built Together For A Dwelling Place Of God In The Spirit]:

[(Eph 2:22) Commentary On Eph 2:22]:

****** END OF EXCERPT FROM EPHESIANS CHAPTER 2 *****

I) [Eph 3:1-13]:

A) (Eph 3:1-3) For This Reason, Paul, The Prisoner Of Christ Jesus For The Sake Of You Gentile Believers - If [= Since] Indeed You Have Heard Of The Dispensation [= Administration] Of The Grace Of God Which Was Given To Me For You, That By Revelation There Was Made Known To Me The Mystery, As I Wrote Before In Brief

1) [(Eph 3:1) Manuscript evidence for Eph 3:1]:

2) [(Eph 3:1) Commentary]:

3) [(Eph 3:3) Manuscripts evidence for Eph 3:3]:

4) [(Eph 3:1-3) Commentary]:

B) [(Eph 3:4-7) By Paul's Referring To The Dispensation Of The Grace Of God Which Was Given To Him For The Gentiles - When They Read Of It In His Letter To Them Which He Had Previously Written Of It In Brief - It Is So That They Can Understand His Insight Into The Mystery Of Christ Which In Other Generations Was Not Made Known To The Sons Of Men, As It Has Now Been Revealed To His Holy Apostles In The Spirit. And That Is That The Gentiles Should Be Fellow Heirs, Of The Same Body, And Partakers Of His Promise In Christ Through A Moment Of Faith Alone In The Gospel Of Which Paul Was Made A Minister, According To The Gift Of God's Grace Which Was Given To Him According To The Working Of His Power]:

1) [(Eph 3:5) Manuscripts evidence for Eph 3:5]:

2) [(Eph 3:4-7) Commentary]:

a) [Compare Eph 2:11-22]:

[]:

2 cont) [(Eph 3:4-7) Commentary, (cont.)]:

C) [(Eph 3:8-10) To Paul, The Very Least Of The Saints, This Grace Was Given: To Preach To The Gentiles The Unfathomable Riches Of Christ, 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 Created All Things Through Jesus Christ. And This Will Have Come To Pass So That The Manifold Wisdom Of God Might Now Be Made Known Through The Church To The Rulers And The Authorities In The Heavenly Places]:

1) [(Eph 3:8) Manuscript Evidence For Eph 3:8]:

2) [(Eph 3:9a) Manuscript Evidence For Eph 3:9a]:

3) [(Eph 3:9b) Manuscript Evidence For Eph 3:9b]:

4) [(Eph 3:9c) Commentary On Eph 3:9c]:

5) [(Eph 3:8-9) Commentary On Eph 3:8-9]:

6) [(Eph 3:10) Commentary On Eph 3:10]:

a) [(Eph 3:10) Bible Knowledge Commentary]:

D) [(Eph 3:11-13) This was = This Mystery Of Christ, (vv. 4-5): That The Gentiles Are Fellow Heirs And Fellow Members Of The Body, And Fellow Partakers Of The Promise In Christ Jesus Through The Gospel - This Was - In Accordance With The Eternal Purpose Which God Carried Out In Christ Jesus Our Lord In Whom We [Gentile Believers] Have Boldness And Confident Access Through Faith In Him. Therefore, Paul Asks His Readers - Gentile Believers - Not To Lose Heart At His Tribulations On Their Behalf, For They Are His Glory

1) [(Eph 3:11-13) Commentary On Eph 3:11-13]:

II) [Eph 3:14-21]:

A) [(Eph 3:14-19) For This Reason I Bend My Knees In Prayer Before The Father, From Whom Every Family In Heaven And On Earth Derives Its Name, That He Would Grant You Gentile Believers According To The Riches Of His Glory, To Be Strengthened With Power Through His Spirit In The Inner Man, That Christ May Dwell In Your Hearts Through Faith; That You, Being Rooted And Grounded In Love, May Be Able To Comprehend With All The Saints What Is The Breadth And Length And Height And Depth, And To Know The Love Of Christ Which Surpasses Knowledge, That You May Be Filled Up To All The Fullness Of God

1) [(Eph 3:14) Manuscript Evidence For Eph 3:14]:

2) [(Eph 3:19) Manuscript Evidence For Eph 3:19]:

3) [(Eph 3:14-19) Commentary On Eph 3:14-19]:

a) [(Eph 3:15) Bible Knowledge Commentary]:

3 cont.) [(Eph 3:14-19) Commentary On Eph 3:14-19, (cont.)]:

c) [(Eph 3:18-19) Bible Knowledge Commentary]:

B) [(Eph 3:20-21) Now To Him Who Is Able To Do Far More Abundantly Beyond All That We Ask Or Think, According To The Power That Works Within Us, To Him Be The Glory In The Church And In Christ Jesus To All Generations Forever And Ever. Amen!]:

1) [(Eph 3:21) Manuscript Evidence For Eph 3:21]:

2) [(Eph 3:20-21) Commentary On Eph 3:20-21]:

a) [(Eph 3:20-21) Bible Knowledge Commentary]:

Continue to chapter four