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Eph.3:1. For this reason I, Paul, became a prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles. Having pointed out Christ’s care for us, he then speaks of his own care. Since, he says, my Lord has revealed such things in relation to us, it is necessary for me to help as much as possible. Therefore I am a prisoner for you. And if He was crucified, then at least I am in chains for you. With the words “for you pagans,” he indicated the following: “not only do we not disdain you, but we even accept bonds for your sake and consider it an honor to be called prisoners of Christ.” Eph.3:2. As you have heard about the dispensation of the grace of God given to me for you, Alludes to the words of God to Ananias: “he is my chosen vessel to proclaim my name before the nations” (Acts 9:15). And he calls the revelation of the mystery, because he did not learn it from man, “the dispensation of grace.” For, he says, the grace of God decreed in such a way that I should be called from above and subjected to blindness for disobedience, so that in this way I would come to obedience. But for you, he says, this grace was given to me. For He Himself told me that “I will send you far to the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21). Therefore you are a work of grace, and I have brought nothing of myself. Eph.3:3. because the mystery has been made known to me by revelation This is the work of grace - the revelation of the mystery. And truly it is a mystery to raise the pagans from utter insignificance to an honorable position, higher than the Jews. (which I wrote briefly about above), He points to what he said above, that the pagans who were far away are called, that they are built on top of the patriarchs, and the like. Eph.3:4. then, as you read, you can discern my understanding of the mystery of Christ, I wrote, he says, not as much as I should, but according to your strength and capacity. And from this you can perceive and understand my understanding of the mystery of Christ, that is, how I understood the mystery of Christ, or how I understood that He sits at the right hand of the Father and seated us with Himself, that in Himself He created both into one new man, and so on related to the mystery. Understand the dignity of my understanding from the fact that God has revealed so much to me. And that this is a sign of great honor, listen: “He did not do this to any other people” (Ps. 147:9), namely, that He announced “His statutes and His judgments” to Israel (Ps. 147:8). Eph.3:5. which was not made known to the former generations of the sons of men, as it is now revealed to His holy Apostles and Prophets by the Holy Spirit, 6 So what? Didn't the prophets know? But how does Christ say: “Moses and the prophets wrote about Me”; and “search the Scriptures...” and “they testify of Me” (John 5:39)? But Paul, firstly, says something that was not revealed to all people, since he added: “which was not made known to the former generations of the sons of men.” And secondly, what was not revealed to the prophets in this way, as now it was revealed to the apostles and New Testament prophets by the Holy Spirit. For if the Spirit had not taught Peter, the latter would not have accepted the pagan Cornelius and his household into the Church (Acts 10:3). And note, it is not regarding circumcision, but regarding the pagans that the Spirit gives revelation, because the acceptance of despised pagans into the Church was a great thing. And the ancients did not know this secret so much that even the great Peter needed the guidance of the Spirit regarding this. Eph.3:6. that the Gentiles also may be fellow heirs, being one body, and partakers of His promise in Christ Jesus 7 through the gospel, The mystery is that the Gentiles became joint heirs and sharers of the promise of Israel. For the Israelites shared in the promise as a holy nation; and the Gentiles, hitherto unclean, became partakers with them of the same promise, but how? “In Christ,” that is, through faith in Christ, which reached them through the gospel. And he was not content with the name “co-heirs” and “partakers,” but, in order to show greater closeness and unity, he called them “constituting one body.” For the pagans and the holy Israelites formed one body, governed by one head - Christ. Eph.3:7. of whom I became a minister by the gift of God’s grace, given to me by the action of His power. I have become a minister of this gospel and am in chains for His sake; but this is not my business, but a gift of divine grace, which was given to me not simply or sparingly, but abundantly and generously, as is typical for giving to an all-powerful God. Or - since He gave me this ministry, He also provided me with strength. For dignity is useless if strength is not combined with it. We need to bring three things into service: a soul ready for danger, wisdom and intelligence, and an immaculate life, and God’s work is to give strength through which all this would become valid. Eph.3:8. To me, the least of all saints, this grace was given - Intending to speak about the greatness of Divine grace, look with what humility he speaks about himself. For after such glorious deeds, he calls himself the least, not among the apostles, but among all the saints, that is, believers. And this, as an expression of humility, is higher than the words: “I am not worthy to be called an apostle” (1 Cor. 15:9). preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ What grace, he says, has been given to me? "Preach the Good News to the Gentiles". For others were sent to the circumcision, but he to the Gentiles. That is why he needs grace, because the least has been entrusted with the greatest. But, having received the command to convert the worst to the Gospel, through this he becomes great, although he seemed small. So this work belongs to grace. If the riches of Christ remain unexplored even after His appearance, then is not His essence even more unsearchable? How then did Eunomius boast of comprehending it? Eph.3:9. and reveal to everyone what is the economy of the mystery that has been hidden in God from eternity, That the pagans would be called, perhaps the prophets and angels knew this by the Spirit; but that they should be called to such good things as to even sit on the throne of God—who could have expected this? That is why he calls it a mystery, hidden in God from the ages, that is, from ancient times, from the beginning. For this sight is inexpressible and known only to Him. who created all things by Jesus Christ, He perfectly reminded us of creation: God created everything, he says, through Christ. For “without Him,” he says, “nothing began to be” (John 1:3). And this is revealed through Him. Eph.3:10. so that now the manifold wisdom of God may be made known through the Church to the principalities and powers in heaven, Neither the heavenly principles and powers, nor those below knew the secret of glorifying the pagans. For both the angels and the archangels knew only this, that Israel was the Lord's portion and His people. And Gabriel also knew only that He (the Messiah) would save His people from their sins. And that the pagans will also achieve such honor, both the powers above and below have now learned this through the Church, that is, through the benefits shown to us. For good deeds to us were for them teachers of the wisdom of God. And he calls “wisdom” not just different, but “many-different,” pointing to its special superiority and incomprehensibility. And Gregory of Nyssa says that before the incarnation, the heavenly powers simply knew Divine wisdom, namely: since He created everything by His sole will, they recognized Him as powerful, and since He preserved everything with His wise providence, they considered Him a wise providence. And there is nothing diverse in this, that is, that He should have done something else. But after the incarnation of God the Word, from the opposite arises the opposite, from death - life, from weakness - strength, from dishonor - glory, and from everything seemingly base - decent. In this way, the manifold wisdom and power of God became known to the heavenly powers. For when we knew, then through us they too, seeing what blessings the Church was awarded, and through her coming to knowledge. Eph.3:11. according to the eternal purpose, which He fulfilled in Christ Jesus our Lord, Although the wisdom of what happened to us has only now been cognized, he says, it was predetermined from ancient times. “By pre-eternal determination”, that is, by foreknowledge of future centuries. For God knew the future and thus predestined it. The expression "which He fulfilled in Christ Jesus" refers to the wisdom or economy which the Father accomplished through the Son. And Chrysostom, reading instead of: ήν εποίησεν - “which he fulfilled”, ων εποίησεν - “which he created” (fulfilled), says that the ages (i.e. centuries, time - Ed.) God created (or “fulfilled” - εποίησεν) through the Son. Eph.3:12. in whom we have confidence and secure access through faith in Him. That everything happened through Christ is evident, he says, from the fact that He is the One who brought us. However, we are not brought as captives, nor as sinners, but we have boldness, and not simply, but with hope and hope. Where do we get this from? From faith, he says: having freed us from sins, it has given us boldness and hope. Eph.3:13. Therefore, I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations for your sake, which are your glory. “Therefore,” he says. Why? Because the mystery of your calling is great and a great work has been entrusted to me, namely preaching to you, and it is necessary for me to undergo chains and endure evil from those who do not understand the mystery and those who resist it; Therefore, I beg you, do not be discouraged, that is, do not be afraid and do not be embarrassed, as if something strange is happening. For your glory lies in this, that God so loved you that He not only gave His Son for you, but also exposed us, His servants, to dangers and bonds for your benefit. If my sorrows serve for your glory, then you will be glorified much more through your own sorrows. Therefore, even if you yourself were to undergo tribulations, do not lose heart. Eph.3:14. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Eph.3:15. from whom is the name of every family in heaven and on earth, Since you have been worthy of such love and the incomprehensible benefits that you have received and which you will receive in the future, I pray, he says, that you may be given the grace of Christ who has dwelt in you - the grace to comprehend this and to know how much you are loved. And what this intense prayer means is the words: “I bow my knees.” From the Supreme Father, he says, “every fatherland”: “on earth” - he calls the tribes fatherlands, which received such a name on behalf of the fathers; “in heaven,” since no one is born there from anyone, denotes separate hosts by fatherland, that is, He created both the ranks above and below, and from Him came those who are called fathers. Eph.3:16. that He might grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man, Eph.3:17. by faith let Christ dwell in your hearts, Eph.3:18. so that you, rooted and established in love, What do I pray for you? May God, who is rich and desires the glorification of His name, grant you to be strengthened in the fight against temptations, so as not only not to be embarrassed by them, but also to endure them. And he is not content with the expression “to be established,” but adds: “strongly,” asking for abundant benefits for them. How to “establish yourself”? “By His Spirit,” for He is the giver of strength. Just as Isaiah calls Him “the Spirit of strength.” And not only to be established, but much more and stronger - “Christ to dwell in your hearts,” not on the surface, but in the depths. How? "By faith". For Christ dwells in faithful hearts, coming with the Father and making his abode in them, as He predicted (John 14:23). And you will achieve this when you are rooted in His love and do not hesitate or be embarrassed. So, the apostle asks for two benefits for them: that they be strengthened by the Spirit and that Christ dwell in their hearts; or so that you, he says, will be strengthened and become worthy for Christ to dwell in your hearts. could comprehend with all the saints that the breadth and length and depth and height, What he prayed for at first, that the Spirit of wisdom and revelation might be given to them to know what is the hope of their calling and so on, he now says: that you “could comprehend with all” those who believe the mystery of what was done for you, it is so great that it extends in all directions. Therefore, he described it with external features, attributing to it the top, the bottom, and the sides. For, he says, although I have explained, it is impossible to understand this sufficiently from my words, but only through the Holy Spirit: you cannot comprehend this otherwise than by receiving reinforcement from the Spirit. For great strength is needed, and unless Christ dwells in you, we are unable to do anything. Gregory of Nyssa says that the cross is designated by breadth, longitude, depth and height: therefore the apostle prayed for the Ephesians, so that they would be able to comprehend the mystery of the Cross. For the entire economy is encompassed by it, and the most important thing in it is the Cross, in which the love of God is especially manifested, as the Lord says (John 14:12). Therefore, Paul points to this love. Eph.3:19. and understand the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, And may you, he says, know the love of Christ, which surpasses all understanding. How do we know it when it surpasses all understanding? First, he said that love surpasses human understanding, of course; and you know it not by human thought, but by the Spirit. Then, he did not say that you will know its exact measure, but precisely that it is great and exceeds all understanding. I pray that you may know this through the Spirit. And who, he says, does not know this? Everyone: both those who grumble about everyday reality, and those who give preference to mammon over God. Since, if we had known it, we would not have grumbled at Providence, and we would not have been committed to the present, having departed from God, who loved us so much. Notice also, if His love surpasses all understanding, how much greater is His being? that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. This was understood in two ways: or let you know, he says that in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit God accepts worship from us, because this constitutes the fullness of God - the trinity; or - be filled, he says, with every virtue with which God is filled. But it’s better, I think, to understand it this way: be perfect in everything in the image of God’s perfection, cognizing, as far as possible, everything divine. Eph.3:20. But to Him who, by the power that works within us, is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, Eph.3:21. To him be glory in the Church in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, from age to age. Amen. I ask, he says, but He will do more than is contained in my prayer. For not only everything that anyone asks, but He can do more, and “incomparably more,” that is, generously and abundantly. And the excess indicates doubly: “incomparably” and “more.” For it is possible to do more than what is asked, but not “incomparably,” which means generously and in abundance. But God can do both. How He really was able and did great and extraordinary things in us, by adopting the pagans hostile to Him, so that already from what He did for us, what is said is clear. And he rightly ends his speech with a doxology, glorifying the benefactor and at the same time showing the greatness of what was accomplished for us. For I would not have been surprised if God had not given as much as was necessary to excite surprise and glorification. He doesn’t just say, “To him be glory,” but “in Christ Jesus.” For truly no one can glorify God except through the grace and power of Christ. For He gives us the gift of glorification and teaches us how to do this. “In the Church” is the glory of God, and rightly so: because it abides unceasingly and “the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Therefore, this praise will be eternal. At the blzh. Theophylact omitted the word "Saints". The word “Jesus” is omitted from the bl. Theophylact. You might be interested in: