For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of
you Gentiles—assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of
God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made
known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read
this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 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. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members
of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus
through the gospel.
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of
God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me,
though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given,
to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to
bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden
for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church
the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers
and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the
eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in
whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith
in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for
you, which is your glory.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every
family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the
riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power
through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in
your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in
love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is
the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love
of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all
the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we
ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
forever and ever. Amen.
