Fathers

Ephesians 3

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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.

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What the Fathers say

Ephesians 3:3

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Perhaps he had informed them of it by some persons, or had not long before been writing to them. Here he is pointing out that the whole is of God, that we have contributed nothing. For what? I ask, was not Paul himself, the wonderful, he that was so versed in the law, he that was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel according to the most perfect manner, was not he saved by grace? With good reason too does he call this a mystery, for a mystery it is, to raise the Gentiles in a moment to a higher rank than the Jews. …

Homily on Ephesians 6 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Here is the work of grace – the revelation of the mystery. And truly it is a mystery – to raise the Gentiles from the utmost insignificance to an honorable position, higher than that of the Jews. He points to what was said above by him, that the Gentiles, who were far off, have been called, that they have been built upon the patriarchs, and so forth.

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Theodoret of Cyrus

The words I wrote a little before do not mean, as some think, that he has written another letter. For it is not with respect to himself that he says "I have written" but with respect to the mystery. For he is referring to "the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I wrote to you a little while ago," yet it is this "about which I have just now written." For this has been his subject from the outset right up to this passage.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 3.1-4 ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Subsequently, when he says how that, according to revelation... he makes known the several aspects of his condition in detail. In reference to which he does two things: First, he treats of what pertains to the dignity of his office, namely, the dispensation of grace. Secondly, what pertains to his experience of patience, namely, tribulations (3:13). The first part contains two sections: First, he discusses the dispensation of grace regarding the knowledge of various mysteries. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Hippolytus of Rome

Now this (mystery) was not made known to previous generations, as he says, it has been written, "By revelation was made known unto me the mystery;" and, "I have heard inexpressible words which it is not possible for man to declare." The light, (therefore,) which came down from the Ogdoad above to the Son of the Hebdomad, descended from the Hebdomad upon Jesus the son of Mary, and he had radiance imparted to him by being illuminated with the light that shone upon him.

Hippolytus Refutation of All Heresies Book VII ↗