Ephesians 3:1 BSB — MannaFest

Ephesians 3:1

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,—

KJV

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

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Commentary

4 voices

Jerome

Commentary on Ephesians 3:1 (420)

We often read that the body is called the prison of the soul. The soul is confined as if in a cage. Paul, for example, was constrained by the ties of the body and did not return to be with Christ so that the preaching to the Gentiles might be perfectly accomplished through him. But I grant that there are some who introduce another meaning here: Paul before his birth was predestined and sanctified from his mother's womb for the purpose of preaching to the Gentiles. For this vocation he took on the bonds of flesh.

The record, by era

The Reformation1 voice

John Calvin

1509–1564

Commentaries (1554)

In the presence of the world and of wicked men, this might have appeared to be foolish boasting; but, in addressing godly persons, it was a dignified and faithful manner. The glory of Christ not only overcomes the ignominy of the chains, but converts what was in itself a reproach into the highest honor.

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

For this cause - That ye may be so "built together," I am a prisoner for you gentiles - For your advantage, and for asserting your right to these blessings. This it was which so enraged the Jews against him.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

For this cause - On account of preaching this doctrine; that is, the doctrine that the gospel was to be proclaimed to the Gentiles. I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ - A prisoner in the service of the Lord Jesus; or made a prisoner in his cause. Not a prisoner for crime or debt, or as a captive in war, but a captive in the service of the Redeemer. This proves that at the time of writing this, Paul was in bonds, and there can he no question that he was in Rome.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

13 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
Τούτου	Toutou	Of this	G3778 →
χάριν	charin	Because	G5484 →
ἐγὼ	egō	I myself	G1473 →
Παῦλος	Paulos	Paul	G3972 →
ὁ	ho	the	G3588 →
δέσμιος	desmios	prisoner	G1198 →
τοῦ	tou	<the>	G3588 →
Χριστοῦ	Christou	of Christ	G5547 →
Ἰησοῦ	Iēsou	Jesus	G2424 →
ὑπὲρ	huper	for	G5228 →
ὑμῶν	humōn	you	G4771 →
τῶν	tōn	<the>	G3588 →
ἐθνῶν·	ethnōn	Gentiles..;	G1484 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Ephesians 4:1
As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
leads to
- Colossians 1:10
  so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
- Philippians 1:27
  Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm…
- 1 Thessalonians 2:12
  encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1–2
  Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live,…
- 2 Peter 1:3
  His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
Through
2 Timothy 1:8
So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
leads to
- Romans 1:16
  I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.
- Mark 8:38
  If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the…
Through
Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
leads to
- Romans 5:3
  Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

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The Pauline Epistles

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About Ephesians

The Ascension — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

Ephesians: the study guide →Read chapter 3 →The featured study →

Continue: Ephesians 3 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About Ephesians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About Ephesians