Ephesians 3:8-10
What is written? (ESV)
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.
What does it say?
This gift to preach about the depth of the riches of Christ to the Gentiles was given to me [Paul], the least of all the saints. This gift reveals to everyone the plan of God, the creator of all things, which had been hidden. But now, through the church, God’s manifold wisdom can be made known to rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
What is its immediate context?
Paul is discussing the gospel message in terms of a “mystery” that’s been “made known” to all (vs 5 and other places like 1 Corinthians 4:1 – “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”). It was given to him to preach, bringing “the light to everyone” – in this context (and others like Galatians 3-4 and 1 Peter 2) emphasizing the inclusion of the Gentiles into Christ’s body (vs 6).
How Ephesians 3:8-10 is applied across Bible answers
How is Christ’s church defined in the Bible?
The church is a universal collection of believers who are to make known "the manifold wisdom of God". Paul considered himself the "very least of all the saints."
