| 1 | For this reason [
[a]because I preached that you are thus built up together], I, Paul, [am] the prisoner of Jesus the Christ
[b]for the sake
and
on behalf of you Gentiles— |
| 2 | Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace (His unmerited favor) that was entrusted to me [to dispense to you] for your benefit, |
| 3 | [And] that the mystery (secret) was made known to me
and
I was allowed to comprehend it by direct revelation, as I already briefly wrote you. |
| 4 | When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. |
| 5 | [This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit. |
| 6 | [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings (the Gospel). |
| 7 | Of this [Gospel] I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s free grace (undeserved favor) which was bestowed on me by the exercise (the working in all its effectiveness) of His power. |
| 8 | To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God’s consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted
and
graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out], |
| 9 | Also to enlighten all men
and
make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages
and
concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things
by Christ Jesus
. |
| 10 | [The purpose is] that through the church the
[c]complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety
and
innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere. |
| 11 | This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal
and
timeless purpose which He has realized
and
carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord, |
| 12 | In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear). |
| 13 | So I ask you not to lose heart [not to faint or become despondent through fear] at what I am suffering in your behalf. [Rather glory in it] for it is an honor to you. |
| 14 | For this reason [
[d]seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ
, |
| 15 | For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]. |
| 16 | May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened
and
reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. |
| 17 | May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love
and
founded securely on love, |
| 18 | That you may have the power
and
be strong to apprehend
and
grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; |
| 19 | [That you may really come] to know [practically,
[e]through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses
[f]mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being]
[g]unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and
[h]become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! |
| 20 | Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over
and
above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]— |
| 21 | To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). |
|