Paul the apostle to the Gentiles
3
📚For this reason✭ I, Paul, the prisoner✭ of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles✭ – 2 📚since you have heard of the administration of the grace of God which is given to me for you✭, 3 📚how that by revelation✭ he made known to me the mystery✭ (as I wrote before in few words✭, 4 📚so, by reading that you can understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 📚✭which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, 6 📚✭namely, that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs with Israel, and of the same body, and share in the same promise in Christ, through the gospel; 7 📚✭of which I became a servant, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effectual working of his power✭.He considered himself less than the least
8 📚To 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, 9 📚✭and to make everyone see what the fellowship of the mystery is, which, from the beginning of the world, has been hidden in God, who created all things✭ by Jesus Christ.
He speaks of God’s purpose
10 📚✭His intent was that now through the church the manifold wisdom of God might be known to the rulers and authorities✭ in the heavenly places, 11 📚according to the eternal purpose✭ which he ordained in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 📚In him✭ we have assurance and confident access✭ to God, through faith✭ in him. 13 📚Therefore I ask you not to lose heart✭ because of my sufferings✭ for you, which are your glory✭.
He prays that they might experience Christ’s presence in them, His love and God’s fullness
14 📚✭For this cause I bow my knees to the Father✭ of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 📚from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 📚that according to the riches✭ of his glory, he would grant you to be strengthened with might by his Spirit✭ in the inner person, 17 📚so that Christ may dwell✭ in your hearts by faith✭, that you, being rooted and grounded in love✭, 18 📚✭may be able to comprehend with all saints what is its breadth and length and depth and height, 19 📚✭and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled✭ with all the fulness of God.