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 3:8

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

They who go to the physician's have not merely to go there and nothing further; they have to learn how to treat themselves, and to apply remedies. And so with us then who come here, we must not do this and nothing else, we must learn our lesson, the surpassing lowliness of Paul. What? …

Homily on Ephesians 7 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Intending to speak about the greatness of Divine grace, see with what humility he speaks of himself. For after such glorious deeds he calls himself the very least, not among the apostles, but among all the saints, that is, the 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). What grace, he says, was given to me? "To preach the Gospel to the Gentiles." For others were sent to the circumcised, but he to the Gentiles. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Theodoret of Cyrus

The divine apostle says not only that Christ's nature is divine but also that "his riches are unsearchable." "And how does one preach if his riches are indeed unsearchable?" "I preach this very thing," he says, "that they are unsearchable."

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 3.8 ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

Although it is a token of humility to call oneself "the least of all the saints," one is guilty of deceit if one conceals the truth in the heart and says something else with the tongue. We must therefore look for an argument showing how Paul truly was "the least of all the saints" and yet did not fall from the rank of an apostle. The Lord says in the Gospel. "He who would be great among you, let him be less than all." … Paul demonstrates this in his actions. …

Commentary on Ephesians 3:8-9 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Next (v. 8), he speaks of the duty entrusted to him; the grace of such a commission has three qualities to recommend it: First, the condition of the person himself [to whom it is entrusted]. Secondly, the greatness of what is confided to him (3:8b). Thirdly, the good that results as its fruit (3:10 ff.). The office confided to him is recommended from this person's condition. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Bonaventure

Wisdom appears as manifold in the mysteries of divine Scriptures. This multiformity of the mysteries is shown in the Apostle's letter to the Ephesians: "To me, the very least of all saints, there was given this grace, to announce among the Gentiles the good tidings of the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all men as to what is the dispensation of the mystery which has been hidden from all eternity in God, who created all things; in order that through the Church there be made known to the Principalities and the Powers in …

Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 2 ↗