1For this reason, I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles! 2Surely, you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me toward you; 3how by revelation, he made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in a few words. 4When you read them, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ, 5which in other generations was not made known to anyone as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit. 6[I mean] that the Gentiles are [now] fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, yes, fellow partakers of God’s1938 promise in Christ through the Good News.
7Of this Good News, I was made a servant, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given me according to the working of his power. 8This grace was given to me, the very least of all saints, so that I might preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable treasures of Christ 9and make everyone see the dispensation1939 of the mystery which had been hidden in God for so long, in him who created all things through Jesus Christ.1940 10This happened so that now, through the Church, the manifold1941 wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11according to the eternal purpose which God1942 had in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and confident access through our faith in him. 13Therefore, I ask that you do not lose heart1943 because of my troubles for you, as they are your glory!
14And so, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16asking that according to the riches of his glory, he would grant you to be inwardly strengthened with power through his Spirit. 17I also pray that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that you may be rooted and grounded in love. 18May you [thus] be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height 19of Christ’s love which is beyond knowledge; and that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to accomplish much more than all we can ask or think according to the power that works in us, 21to him be the glory in the Church by Christ Jesus to all generations, unto ages of ages. Amen.
Unity and oneness
- Greek “his”
- TR reads “fellowship” instead of “administration” or “dispensation.”
- CT omits “through Jesus Christ”
- Or “many-sided”
- Greek “he”
- Or “be discouraged”
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
