Fathers

Ephesians 3

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

Ephesians 3:10

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

True, to man it was not revealed; and art thou enlightening Angels and Archangels and Principalities and Powers? I am, saith he. For it was "hid in God," even "in God who created all things." And dost thou venture to utter this? I do, saith he. But whence hath this been made manifest to the Angels? By the Church. Again he saith, not merely the manifold but the much-manifold wisdom, that is, "the multiplied and varied." What then is this? Did not Angels know it? …

Homily on Ephesians 7 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Neither the principalities and powers on high, nor those below, knew the mystery of the glorification of the Gentiles. For both angels and archangels knew only that Israel was the Lord's portion and His people. And Gabriel likewise knew only that He (the Messiah) would save His people from their sins. But that the Gentiles too would attain such honor — this the powers both on high and below have now learned through the Church, that is, through the benefactions bestowed upon us. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Clement of Alexandria

Those who are wise in mind have a certain attribute of nature peculiar to themselves; and they who have shown themselves capable, receive from the Supreme Wisdom a spirit of perception in double measure. For those who practise the common arts, are in what pertains to the senses highly gifted: in hearing, he who is commonly called a musician; in touch, he who moulds clay; in voice the singer, in smell the perfumer, in sight the engraver of devices on seals. …

The Stromata Book 1 ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Once he has set forth the dignity of his office that arises from the magnitude of what it entrusts to him (3:8), the Apostle here gives evidence of his office's worth from the utility of its effect. This consists in the revelation of great realities to eminent persons. Three points are to be considered regarding this: First, to whom the revelation is directed (3:10a). Secondly, through whom it is made known, at through the church (3:10b). Thirdly, what is revealed, namely, the manifold wisdom of God (3:10a). …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Bonaventure

And thus it is clear how the manifold wisdom of God, which is clearly handed down in sacred Scripture, lies hidden in all knowledge and in all nature. It is also clear how all branches of knowledge serve theology; and therefore theology itself takes up examples and uses terms pertaining to every kind of knowledge. It is also clear how broad the illuminative way is, and how in every thing that is sensed or that is known, God Himself lies hidden within. …

On the Reduction of the Arts to Theology ↗