Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

“By perceiving his understanding of the mysteries, they, too, will be enabled to understand. the mystery of Christ--The "mystery" is Christ Himself, once hidden, but now revealed (Col 1:27).”

which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

“They probably did not know that the Gentiles were to be admitted without circumcision or that they were to be on a level with the Jews in partaking of the grace of God.”

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.

“Whereof--"of which" Gospel. according to--in consequence of, and in accordance with, "the gift of the grace of God."”

and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

“AS God created "the whole range of things" (so the Greek), physical and spiritual alike, He must have an absolute right to adjust all things as He will.”

His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

“1Co 4:9): "a spectacle (Greek, 'theater') to angels." Hence, angels are but our "fellow servants" (Re 19:10). manifold wisdom--though essentially one, as Christ is one, yet varying the economy in respect to places, times, and persons (Isa 55:8, 9;”

In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.

“Translate, "our boldness and our access (Eph 2:18) in confidence through our faith in Him." ALFORD quotes as an instance, Ro 8:38, &c. "THE access" (Greek) implies the formal introduction into the presence of a monarch.”

So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

“"I entreat you not to be dispirited." for you--in your behalf. which is--rather, "which are your glory," namely, inasmuch as showing that God loved you so much, as both to give His Son for you, and to permit His apostles to suffer "tribulations" for you…”

... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

“For this cause--Resuming the thread of Eph 3:1, "For this cause." Because ye have such a standing in God's Church [ALFORD]. bow my knees--the proper attitude in humble prayer. Posture affects the mind, and is not therefore unimportant.”

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love,

“That--So that. dwell--abidingly make His abode (Joh 14:23). Where the Spirit is there Christ is (Joh 14:16, 18). by faith--Greek, "through faith," which opens the door of the heart to Jesus (Joh 3:20).”

will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth

“I prefer to understand "the breadth," &c., to refer to the whole of the vast mystery of free salvation in Christ for all, Gentile and Jew alike, of which Paul had been speaking (Eph 3:3-9), and of which he now prays they may have a…”

of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

“Even as God's power exceeds our thoughts (Eph 3:20). filled with--rather, as Greek, "filled even unto all the fulness of God" (this is the grand goal), that is, filled, each according to your capacity, with the divine wisdom, knowledge, and love; "even as God is…”

As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:

“Translate, according to the Greek order, "I beseech you, therefore (seeing that such is your calling of grace, the first through third chapters) I the prisoner in the Lord (that is, imprisoned in the Lord's cause)."”

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;

“As the "SPIRIT" is mentioned here, so the "LORD" (Jesus), Eph 4:5, and "GOD the Father," Eph 4:6. Thus the Trinity is again set forth. hope--here associated with "the Spirit," which is the "earnest of our inheritance" (Eph 1:13, 14).”

one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

“Compare 1Co 12:13, "Faith" is not here that which we believe, but the act of believing, the mean by which we apprehend the "one Lord." "Baptism" is specified, being the sacrament whereby we are incorporated into the "one body."”

Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

“A motive to unity (Eph 4:3). Translate, "Unto each one of us was the grace (which was bestowed by Christ at His ascension, Eph 4:8) given according to," &c. the measure--the amount "of the gift of Christ" (Ro 12:3, 6).”

What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth?

“Christ, as Lord of all, took possession first of the earth the unseen world beneath it (some conjecture that the region of the lost is in the central parts of our globe), then of heaven (Ac 2:27, 28).”

to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

“For--with a view to; the ultimate aim. "Unto." perfecting--The Greek implies correcting in all that is deficient, instructing and completing in number and all parts. for--a different Greek word; the immediate object.”

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful…

“Translate, "To the end that"; the aim of the bestowal of gifts stated negatively, as in Eph 4:13 it is stated positively. tossed to and fro--inwardly, even without wind; like billows of the sea.”

From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

“According to the effectual working of grace in each member (or else, rather, "according to each several member's working"), proportioned to the measure of its need of supply. every part--Greek, "each one part"; each individual part.”

Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus—

“If so be that--not implying doubt; assuming what I have no reason to doubt, that heard him--The "Him" is emphatic: "heard Himself," not merely heard about Him. taught by him--Greek, "taught IN HIM," that is, being in vital union with Him (Ro 16:7).”

to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

“In contrast to "the holiness of the truth," Eph 4:24, and "truth in Jesus," Eph 4:21; and answering to Gentile "vanity," Eph 4:17. Corruption and destruction are inseparably associated together.”

to be renewed in the spirit of your minds;

“The "spirit" of man in New Testament is only then used in its proper sense, as worthy of its place and governing functions, when it is one spirit with the Lord.”

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.

“For "to," Paul quotes it "with," to mark our inner connection with one another, as "members one of another" [STIER]. Not merely members of one body. Union to one another in Christ, not merely the external command, instinctively leads Christians to fulfil mutual duties.”

“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,

“Be ye angry, and sin not--So the Septuagint, Ps 4:4. Should circumstances arise to call for anger on your part, let it be as Christ's "anger" (Mr 3:5), without sin.”

and do not give the devil a foothold.

“Neither give place--that is, occasion, or scope, to the devil, by continuing in "wrath." The keeping of anger through the darkness of night, is giving place to the devil, the prince of darkness (Eph 6:12).”