1 F or this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—

2 i f indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,

3 h ow that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,

4 b y which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),

5 w hich 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 t hat the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

7 o f which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. Purpose of the Mystery

8 T o me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

9 a nd 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;

10 t o the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

11 a ccording to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

12 i n whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

13 T herefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Appreciation of the Mystery

14 F or this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 f rom whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 t hat He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

17 t hat Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 m ay be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—

19 t o know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 N ow to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

21 t o Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.