Ephesians 3 – “The Mystery Revealed and the Power to Experience Christ’s Love”

‘God’s eternal plan is to unite all people in Christ, and His power enables believers to experience the fullness of His love and presence’.

1. The Mystery Revealed (3:1–6) 

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— ² assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, ³ how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. ⁴ When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. ⁶ This mystery is^[a] that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Verse 1

Paul calls himself:

“A prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles”

• Not a prisoner of Rome — a prisoner of Christ

• Suffering with purpose

Greek word ‘Ethnon’ which is the plural form of ‘Ethnos’ 

‘The Nations’ or ‘People groups’

All non-Jewish groups  

Verses 2–5 – The Mystery

Mystery (Greek: mystērion)

Biblical meaning of mystery:Not something mysterious, but a truth once hidden and now revealed by God.

This is the heart of the passage.

“This mystery is that, through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

Notice the three “together” truths:

1. Heirs together

• Same inheritance

• No second-class believers

2. Members together of one body

• One church, one family

• Unity beyond ethnicity, culture, or background

3. Sharers together in the promise

• Same access to salvation, Spirit, and hope

• The church must reflect unity and inclusion.

• No room for spiritual pride, favoritism, or division.

Ask:

• Do we treat everyone as equal in Christ?

• Are our churches welcoming to all backgrounds?

• The gospel is God’s initiative, not human invention.

• We depend on the Holy Spirit for understanding.

• Approach Scripture with humility and prayer.

  
  

II. Paul’s Ministry and God’s Purpose (3:7–13) 

A. Ministry Is a Gift of Grace, Not Personal Achievement (vv.7–8)

“I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given…”

• Paul did not earn his ministry—he received it.

• He calls himself “l very least of all the saints.”

• Yet God gave him the mission to preach to the Gentiles the “unsearchable riches of Christ.”

Key Truth

‘The greater the calling, the deeper the humility.’

• Ministry is not about position—it is about grace.

• Whatever your role (pastor, volunteer, prayer warrior), it is a gift from God.

• Ask: Am I serving out of gratitude or out of pride?

B. Suffering for Christ Is Not a Defeat but a Glory (v.13)

“So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.”

• Paul is in prison, yet he calls his suffering their glory.

• His hardship advanced the gospel.

• Ministry is not comfort-centered—it is people-centered.

• Kingdom service often involves cost.

• In God’s kingdom, suffering often serves a greater purpose.

• Your hardship may be part of God’s bigger plan.

  
  

  Ask: Am I willing to endure difficulty so others can receive the gospel?

Key Truth

In God’s plan, suffering can become a platform for glory.

• Don’t lose heart when ministry is hard.

• Trials do not mean God is absent.

• Faithfulness matters more than comfort.

III. Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Experience (3:14–19) 

This is the heart of the chapter.

A. Posture of Prayer (v.14–15)

“I kneel before the Father”

Posture = humility, dependence

God is:

• The Father

• Source of every family

B. Four Requests in the Prayer

1. Strength through the Spirit (v.16)

“Strengthened with power in your inner being”

• Christianity is inner transformation, not external religion.

2. Christ dwelling in your hearts (v.17)

Greek: katoikeō = to settle down, feel at home

• Is Christ a guest or the owner of your life?

3. Rooted and grounded in love (v.17)

Two metaphors:

• Agricultural (rooted)

• Architectural (grounded)

Love is the believer’s foundation.

4. To know the immeasurable love of Christ (v.18–19)

Paul describes four dimensions:

• Width

• Length

• Height

• Depth

Meaning

Christ’s love is:

• Wide enough for all

• Long enough for eternity

• Deep enough for our worst sin

• High enough to bring us to glory

“That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God”

This is spiritual maturity — God’s character filling our lives.

IV. Doxology: God’s Unlimited Power (3:20–21) 

Verse 20

“Able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”

• Able

• Beyond what we ask

• Beyond what we think

• According to His power already at work in us

• The limitation is not God’s power — it is our expectation and surrender.

Verse 21

“To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations”

God’s glory is revealed:

• In Christ

• In the Church

• Across generations

V. Life Applications 

1. Embrace God’s Big Plan

• You are part of a global, eternal family.

2. Pursue Spiritual Experience, Not Just Information

Ask:

• Am I strengthened inwardly?

• Is Christ at home in my heart?

• Am I rooted in love?

3. Expect More from God

• Pray bigger.

• Trust deeper.

• Surrender fully.