Fathers

Ephesians 3

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For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you, how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News, of which I was made a servant according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ, to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory. For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

Ephesians 3:21

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Unto Him be the glory," he concludes, "in the Church and in Christ Jesus, unto all generations forever and ever. Amen." Well does he close the discourse with prayer and doxology; for right were it that He, who hath bestowed upon us such vast gifts, should be glorified and blessed, so that this is even a proper part of our amazement at His mercies, to give glory for the things advanced to us at God's hands through Jesus Christ. "The glory in the Church." Well might he say this, forasmuch as the Church alone can last on to eternity.

Homily on Ephesians 7 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

And he rightly concludes his discourse with a doxology, glorifying the Benefactor and at the same time showing the greatness of what was accomplished for us. For he would not have marveled if God had not granted so much as to arouse wonder and glorification. He does not simply say "To Him be glory," but "in Christ Jesus." For truly no one can even glorify God except by the grace and power of Christ. For He grants us the gift of glorification and teaches how to accomplish this. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Theodoret of Cyrus

God is to be worshiped both in the present life and in the next. Having thus revealed God's goodness to them, he proceeds to urge them on to the particular virtues.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 3.20-21 ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

This glory does not extend over the present time only, as if terminating in the age to come. Rather it extends throughout all generations and all ages. It is eternally ineffable. It abides, develops and increases.

Commentary on Ephesians 3:20-21 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

The subject matter of the thanksgiving is the twofold blessing God has bestowed upon us. The first is the institution of the Church, and the second the Incarnation of his Son. Hence he says to him, God the Father, be glory in the Church for all he has done in the Church he established, and in Christ, that is, through Christ; or for Christ whom he gave to us. To him, I repeat, be glory that his glory might shine forth, not only now, but unto all the generations of the age of ages, meaning in the age which embraces all things. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗