1
Τούτου χάριν ἐγὼ Παῦλος ὁ δέσμιος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν—
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles —
Drawing the consequence of ch. 2 (Jew and Gentile built into one temple), Paul begins to pray but breaks off; the sentence is suspended and resumed only at v.14, with vv.2–13 as an extended parenthesis.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Τούτουof thisGenitivegenitive with χάριν (cause)οὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative looks back to the whole of ch. 2 — Gentiles made fellow citizens and a dwelling of God.
χάρινfor the sake ofimproper preposition + genitive (cause)χάριν: 'for the sake of, because of'; the noun χάρις in adverbial/prepositional use — 'for this reason.'
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativeapposition to ἐγώΠαῦλος: the apostle's Roman cognomen; the personal naming lends weight to the prayer and the apostolic claim that follows.
ὁtheNominativearticle
δέσμιοςprisonerNominativeapposition (further definition)δέσμιος: 'prisoner, one bound' (from δεσμός, 'bond'); Paul's literal captivity reframed as captivity 'of Christ' — service, not shame.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive of possession (whose prisoner)Χριστός: 'Anointed,' Messiah; here name-title — Paul is Christ's prisoner, bound by and for him.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to Χριστοῦ
ὑπὲρon behalf ofpreposition + genitive (advantage)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ (those benefited)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (substantizes ἐθνῶν)
ἐθνῶνGentilesGenitiveapposition to ὑμῶνἔθνος: 'nation'; plural τὰ ἔθνη = the Gentiles/nations — Paul's captivity is precisely for their inclusion.
2
εἴ γε ἠκούσατε τὴν οἰκονομίαν τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς δοθείσης μοι εἰς ὑμᾶς,
assuming that you have heard of the administration of the grace of God that was given to me for you,
The first clause of the long parenthesis; εἴ γε ('if indeed,' assuming) is not doubt but a courteous appeal to shared knowledge — they have surely heard of his commission.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
εἴifconditional conjunction (first class, assumed true)
γεindeedintensive particleγε: emphasizing particle; εἴ γε = 'if indeed, since surely' — presupposing the condition holds.
ἠκούσατεyou have heardAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (protasis)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; of report received — they have learned of Paul's stewardship.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
οἰκονομίανadministration/stewardshipAccusativedirect objectοἰκονομία: 'household management, stewardship, administration' (οἶκος + νόμος); the office/dispensation of grace entrusted to Paul as God's steward.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
χάριτοςgraceGenitiveobjective/epexegetical genitive (the stewardship that is grace)χάρις: 'grace, favor'; the stewardship is itself a gift of grace — Paul's apostolate is sheer grace (cf. v.7, 8).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source (grace from God)
τῆςthe (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δοθείσηςthat was givenAor Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · δίδωμιattributive participle (modifies χάριτος)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the passive ('was given') is a divine passive — God is the giver of the grace/stewardship.
μοιto meDativedat. of recipient
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (advantage/goal)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of εἰς (beneficiaries)
3
ὅτι κατὰ ἀποκάλυψιν ἐγνωρίσθη μοι τὸ μυστήριον, καθὼς προέγραψα ἐν ὀλίγῳ,
that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote above briefly,
Unfolds the 'stewardship' of v.2: it rests on a disclosure 'by revelation' — the mystery was not deduced but unveiled to Paul, as he has already sketched (probably 1:9–10; 2:11–22).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ὅτιthatconjunction (epexegetical/content)
κατὰbypreposition + accusative (means/standard)
ἀποκάλυψινrevelationAccusativeobject of κατά (means)ἀποκάλυψις: 'unveiling, revelation' (ἀπό + καλύπτω, 'uncover'); the disclosure of what was hidden — the source of Paul's knowledge.
ἐγνωρίσθηwas made knownAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γνωρίζωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ constative aoristγνωρίζω: 'make known, reveal'; divine passive — God made it known. A keyword of the chapter (vv.3, 5, 10).
μοιto meDativedat. of recipient
τὸtheNominativearticle
μυστήριονmysteryNominativesubject (of the passive)μυστήριον: 'mystery'; not a riddle but a secret of God's plan once hidden, now disclosed — here the Gentiles' inclusion (v.6).
καθὼςascomparative conjunction
προέγραψαI wrote beforeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · προγράφωmain verb (comparative clause)→ epistolary/constative aoristπρογράφω: 'write before, write above' (προ- + γράφω); referring to the earlier part of the letter.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)
ὀλίγῳbrief (compass)Dativedat. of manner (substantival adj.)ὀλίγος: 'little, few'; ἐν ὀλίγῳ = 'briefly, in a few words' — a modest gesture toward his earlier treatment.
4
πρὸς ὃ δύνασθε ἀναγινώσκοντες νοῆσαι τὴν σύνεσίν μου ἐν τῷ μυστηρίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ,
by which, when you read, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
The upshot of what he wrote: in reading it the readers can gauge Paul's God-given insight into the mystery — the apostolic understanding is verifiable, not esoteric.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
πρὸςby/with reference topreposition + accusative (reference)πρός: here 'with reference to, in accordance with which' — looking back to what he wrote.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of πρός)
δύνασθεyou are ablePres Mid/Dep Indic 2 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb→ stative presentδύναμαι: 'be able, can'; the capacity is theirs by reading — the insight is accessible.
ἀναγινώσκοντες(when) readingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀναγινώσκωadverbial ptc. (temporal/means)→ present (concurrent)ἀναγινώσκω: 'read' (lit. 'know again/recognize'); of public reading of the letter in the assembly.
νοῆσαιto perceiveAor Act Inf · νοέωcomplementary infinitive (with δύνασθε)→ constative aoristνοέω: 'understand, perceive with the mind' (from νοῦς); grasp intelligently — the goal of the reading.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
σύνεσίνinsightAccusativeobject of νοῆσαισύνεσις: 'understanding, insight' (συν-ίημι, 'put together'); the comprehending grasp Paul has of the mystery.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
ἐνin/intopreposition + dative (reference)
τῷtheDativearticle
μυστηρίῳmysteryDativedat. of reference (sphere of the insight)μυστήριον: 'mystery'; the object of Paul's insight — defined in v.6.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive of content/reference (the mystery about Christ)Χριστός: the mystery is 'of Christ' — centered on him and realized in him.
5
ὃ ἑτέραις γενεαῖς οὐκ ἐγνωρίσθη τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνθρώπων ὡς νῦν ἀπεκαλύφθη τοῖς ἁγίοις ἀποστόλοις αὐτοῦ καὶ προφήταις ἐν πνεύματι,
which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit,
A then–now antithesis defines the mystery's character: unrevealed to past generations, but now disclosed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets who form the church's foundation (cf. 2:20).
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
ἑτέραιςotherDativeattributive adjectiveἕτερος: 'other (of a different kind)'; here simply 'former' generations, set against 'now.'
γενεαῖςto generationsDativedat. of time (during which)γενεά: 'generation'; the successive ages of humanity before the present disclosure.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐγνωρίσθηwas made knownAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γνωρίζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristγνωρίζω: 'make known'; the negated divine passive — God had not yet disclosed it.
τοῖςto theDativearticle
υἱοῖςsonsDativedat. of recipientυἱός: 'son'; 'sons of men' is a Semitic idiom (cf. Hebrew benê-ʾādām) for humanity at large.
τῶνofGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπωνof menGenitivegenitive of relationship (idiom)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being, man'; 'sons of men' = humankind in past ages.
ὡςascomparative conjunction
νῦνnowadverb (time)νῦν: 'now'; the eschatological 'now' of the gospel age — the hinge of the then/now contrast.
ἀπεκαλύφθηit has been revealedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκαλύπτωmain verb (comparative clause)→ constative aoristἀποκαλύπτω: 'unveil, reveal' (cognate of ἀποκάλυψις, v.3); the positive counterpart to the negated ἐγνωρίσθη.
τοῖςto theDativearticle
ἁγίοιςholyDativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy, set apart'; the apostles and prophets as consecrated agents of revelation.
ἀποστόλοιςapostlesDativedat. of recipientἀπόστολος: 'one sent,' commissioned envoy; with the prophets, the foundation of the church (2:20).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προφήταιςprophetsDativedat. of recipient (coordinate)προφήτης: 'prophet'; here the NT prophets of the apostolic era, paired with the apostles.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means/agency)
πνεύματιthe SpiritDativedat. of means (instrumental agency)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit as the agent of the revelation — 'by the Spirit.'
6
εἶναι τὰ ἔθνη συγκληρονόμα καὶ σύσσωμα καὶ συμμέτοχα τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου,
that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs and fellow-members of the body and fellow-sharers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
At last the mystery is defined by an epexegetic infinitive: three rhyming συν- compounds drive home that Gentiles are not appended to Israel but co-equal — co-heirs, co-body, co-sharers — in Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
εἶναιto be / that … arePres Act Inf · εἰμίepexegetical infinitive (defines τὸ μυστήριον)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'to be'; the infinitive spells out the content of the mystery in apposition to it.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔθνηGentilesAccusativeaccusative subject of εἶναιἔθνος: 'nation'; the Gentiles, formerly excluded (2:11–12), now declared co-equal heirs.
συγκληρονόμαfellow-heirsAccusativepredicate accusativeσυγκληρονόμος: 'joint-heir' (σύν + κληρονόμος); first of three σύν- compounds — sharing the inheritance equally.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σύσσωμαfellow-members of the bodyAccusativepredicate accusative (coordinate)σύσσωμος: 'belonging to the same body' (σύν + σῶμα); apparently coined by Paul — Gentiles incorporated into the one body of Christ.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συμμέτοχαfellow-sharersAccusativepredicate accusative (coordinate)συμμέτοχος: 'joint-partaker' (σύν + μέτοχος, 'sharer'); third compound — co-participants in the promise.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐπαγγελίαςpromiseGenitiveobjective genitive (with συμμέτοχα)ἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the covenant promise to Abraham now shared by Gentiles (cf. 2:12; Gal 3:14).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of union (sphere of the sharing)Χριστός: union 'in Christ' is the ground on which the three σύν- realities hold.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition to Χριστῷ
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
εὐαγγελίουgospelGenitiveobject of διά (means/instrument)εὐαγγέλιον: 'good news, gospel'; the proclaimed message is the means by which Gentiles enter these blessings.
7
οὗ ἐγενήθην διάκονος κατὰ τὴν δωρεὰν τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς δοθείσης μοι κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ.
of which I became a servant according to the gift of the grace of God that was given to me according to the working of his power.
Paul attaches himself to the gospel as its servant; the double 'according to' grounds his ministry wholly in God's gift of grace and the energetic working of his power, not in personal merit.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
οὗof whichGenitiverelative pronoun (gen. with διάκονος)
ἐγενήθηνI becameAor Pass/Dep Indic 1 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the aorist marks Paul's entry into servanthood — a calling received, not seized.
διάκονοςservantNominativepredicate nominativeδιάκονος: 'servant, minister' (one who serves at table); the humble title Paul claims for his gospel work.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/norm)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δωρεὰνgiftAccusativeobject of κατά (norm)δωρεά: 'gift, bounty' (from δίδωμι); a free gift — the servanthood is a grant, underscoring grace.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
χάριτοςgraceGenitiveepexegetical genitive (the gift that is grace)χάρις: 'grace'; the gift consists of grace — echoing v.2.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source
τῆςthe (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δοθείσηςthat was givenAor Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · δίδωμιattributive participle (modifies χάριτος)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; divine passive again (cf. v.2) — God gave the grace.
μοιto meDativedat. of recipient
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/norm)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐνέργειανworkingAccusativeobject of κατά (norm)ἐνέργεια: 'operation, active working' (whence 'energy'); God's effectual power that made Paul a servant.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
δυνάμεωςpowerGenitivegenitive of source/quality (with ἐνέργειαν)δύναμις: 'power, might'; the same power that raised Christ (1:19–20) is at work in Paul's ministry.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
8
ἐμοὶ τῷ ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ πάντων ἁγίων ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις αὕτη, τοῖς ἔθνεσιν εὐαγγελίσασθαι τὸ ἀνεξιχνίαστον πλοῦτος τοῦ Χριστοῦ,
To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Picking up 'the grace given to me' (vv.2, 7), Paul intensifies the wonder of it with a striking double comparative-superlative — even to the 'least of all saints' grace entrusted the Gentile mission and its boundless treasure.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἐμοὶto meDativedat. of recipient (emphatic, fronted)ἐγώ: the emphatic dative — 'to me, of all people' — heightening the contrast with his unworthiness.
τῷtheDativearticle
ἐλαχιστοτέρῳless than the leastDativeapposition (substantival adj.)ἐλαχιστότερος: a double comparative built on the superlative ἐλάχιστος ('least') — 'leaster,' more than least; a coined intensification of self-abasement (cf. 1 Cor 15:9).
πάντωνof allGenitivepartitive genitive
ἁγίωνsaintsGenitivepartitive genitive (substantival adj.)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the set-apart people of God, among whom Paul ranks himself last.
ἐδόθηwas givenAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; divine passive — grace as God's unilateral gift.
ἡtheNominativearticle
χάριςgraceNominativesubjectχάρις: 'grace'; here the specific commission to the Gentiles (cf. vv.2, 7).
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (attributive)οὗτος: 'this'; pointing to the grace just spoken of.
τοῖςto theDativearticle
ἔθνεσινGentilesDativedat. of recipient (with εὐαγγελίσασθαι)ἔθνος: 'nation, Gentile'; the recipients of Paul's preaching.
εὐαγγελίσασθαιto preach the good newsAor Mid Inf · εὐαγγελίζωepexegetical infinitive (defines ἡ χάρις)→ constative aoristεὐαγγελίζω (mid.): 'announce good news, evangelize'; the grace's purpose — to herald Christ to the nations.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἀνεξιχνίαστονunsearchableAccusativeattributive adjectiveἀνεξιχνίαστος: 'untraceable, unsearchable' (α- privative + ἐξιχνιάζω, 'track out by footprints'); riches too vast to trace to their end (cf. Rom 11:33).
πλοῦτοςrichesAccusativedirect object of εὐαγγελίσασθαιπλοῦτος: 'wealth, riches'; a favorite Ephesians term for the abundance of God's grace in Christ.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivepossessive/source genitive (riches belonging to Christ)Χριστός: the riches are Christ's own — found and bestowed in him.
9
καὶ φωτίσαι πάντας τίς ἡ οἰκονομία τοῦ μυστηρίου τοῦ ἀποκεκρυμμένου ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων ἐν τῷ θεῷ τῷ τὰ πάντα κτίσαντι,
and to bring to light for all what is the administration of the mystery hidden from the ages in God who created all things,
A second infinitive coordinate with 'to preach': the commission is also to illumine for all the long-hidden plan — the mystery concealed in God the Creator from eternity, now openly displayed.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φωτίσαιto bring to lightAor Act Inf · φωτίζωepexegetical infinitive (coordinate with εὐαγγελίσασθαι)→ constative aoristφωτίζω: 'illumine, bring to light' (from φῶς, 'light'); to make the hidden plan visible to all.
πάνταςallAccusativedirect object of φωτίσαιπᾶς: 'all'; the universal scope of the enlightenment — not a select few.
τίςwhatNominativeinterrogative (subject of indir. question)τίς: interrogative 'what?'; introduces the content to be illumined.
ἡtheNominativearticle
οἰκονομίαadministration/planNominativepredicate nom. (in indir. question)οἰκονομία: 'administration, plan, dispensation' (cf. v.2); here the outworking of God's hidden design (some witnesses read κοινωνία, 'fellowship').
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
μυστηρίουmysteryGenitiveobjective/possessive genitiveμυστήριον: 'mystery'; the secret of God's saving plan (v.3) whose administration is now disclosed.
τοῦthe (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀποκεκρυμμένουhaving been hiddenPerf Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Neut · ἀποκρύπτωattributive participle (modifies μυστηρίου)→ intensive perfect (abiding concealment, now ended)ἀποκρύπτω: 'hide away, conceal' (ἀπό + κρύπτω); the perfect stresses the settled hiddenness that has now given way to disclosure.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (temporal source)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
αἰώνωνagesGenitivegenitive of time (from which)αἰών: 'age, eon'; 'from the ages' = from time immemorial — the mystery's eternal concealment.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/place)
τῷtheDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of sphere (the mystery kept in God)θεός: God; the mystery resided hidden 'in God' — his own counsel before its revelation.
τῷthe (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of κτίσαντιπᾶς: 'all'; τὰ πάντα = the universe, the whole created order.
κτίσαντιwho createdAor Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · κτίζωattributive participle (modifies θεῷ)→ constative aoristκτίζω: 'create, found'; God the Creator — the one who made all things is the one in whom the plan was hidden, guaranteeing his right to dispose of history.
10
ἵνα γνωρισθῇ νῦν ταῖς ἀρχαῖς καὶ ταῖς ἐξουσίαις ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις διὰ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἡ πολυποίκιλος σοφία τοῦ θεοῦ,
so that now through the church the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places,
The grand purpose of the whole disclosure: the church itself is the cosmic stage on which God's many-splendored wisdom is exhibited even to the angelic powers — the existence of one redeemed people displays his wisdom.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
γνωρισθῇmight be made knownAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · γνωρίζωverb of purpose clause (subjunctive)→ constative aoristγνωρίζω: 'make known' (cf. vv.3, 5); divine passive — God displays his wisdom through the church.
νῦνnowadverb (time)νῦν: 'now'; the present age of the church is the moment of this cosmic disclosure.
ταῖςto theDativearticle
ἀρχαῖςrulersDativedat. of recipientἀρχή: 'rule, ruler, principality'; supra-human powers (cf. 1:21; 6:12) — here spectators of God's wisdom.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἐξουσίαιςauthoritiesDativedat. of recipient (coordinate)ἐξουσία: 'authority, power'; paired with ἀρχαί for the angelic/spiritual powers as a class.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἐπουρανίοιςheavenly placesDativedat. of place (substantival adj.)ἐπουράνιος: 'heavenly' (ἐπί + οὐρανός); τὰ ἐπουράνια = the heavenly realm, a signature phrase of Ephesians (1:3, 20; 2:6; 6:12).
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἐκκλησίαςchurchGenitiveobject of διά (means/instrument)ἐκκλησία: 'assembly, church' (ἐκ + καλέω, 'called out'); the church is the instrument through which God's wisdom is displayed.
ἡtheNominativearticle
πολυποίκιλοςmanifold/many-coloredNominativeattributive adjectiveπολυποίκιλος: 'much-variegated, many-colored' (πολύς + ποικίλος, 'embroidered'); wisdom of infinite variety — like a richly woven tapestry.
σοφίαwisdomNominativesubject (of γνωρισθῇ)σοφία: 'wisdom'; God's wise plan to unite Jew and Gentile in one body — displayed before the cosmos.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/source genitive
11
κατὰ πρόθεσιν τῶν αἰώνων ἣν ἐποίησεν ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν,
according to the eternal purpose that he carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
The cosmic display of wisdom is no improvisation but conforms to God's age-long purpose, already accomplished in Christ — the plan's basis and guarantee.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/norm)
πρόθεσινpurposeAccusativeobject of κατά (norm)πρόθεσις: 'purpose, plan' (lit. 'a setting-before'); God's settled, prior intention (cf. 1:11; Rom 8:28).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
αἰώνωνagesGenitiveattributive genitive ('purpose of the ages' = eternal)αἰών: 'age'; 'the purpose of the ages' = the eternal purpose spanning all time.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐποίησεν)
ἐποίησενhe carried out/madeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, make, accomplish'; here 'carried out, realized' the purpose — perhaps with a nuance of 'formed/purposed.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/agency)
τῷtheDativearticle
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of sphere/means (in/through Christ)Χριστός: the purpose is realized 'in Christ' — he is its locus and executor.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition to Χριστῷ
τῷtheDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativeapposition (title)κύριος: 'Lord'; the LXX name for YHWH, confessed of Jesus — the sovereign in whom the plan is fulfilled.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
12
ἐν ᾧ ἔχομεν τὴν παρρησίαν καὶ προσαγωγὴν ἐν πεποιθήσει διὰ τῆς πίστεως αὐτοῦ.
in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through faith in him.
A relative clause spells out the benefit of being 'in Christ': free, confident access to God — the privilege now extended to Jew and Gentile alike (cf. 2:18).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
ᾧwhomDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν; antecedent Christ)
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; the present possession of access — a standing privilege.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
παρρησίανboldnessAccusativedirect objectπαρρησία: 'freedom of speech, boldness, confidence' (πᾶς + ῥῆσις, 'all-speech'); frank, unhindered approach to God.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσαγωγὴνaccessAccusativedirect object (coordinate)προσαγωγή: 'access, approach, introduction' (προσάγω, 'bring to'); the right of entry into God's presence (cf. 2:18; Rom 5:2).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)
πεποιθήσειconfidenceDativedat. of mannerπεποίθησις: 'confidence, trust' (from the perfect of πείθω, 'be persuaded/confident'); the settled assurance with which we approach.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of διά (means)πίστις: 'faith, trust'; the means of access — our believing reliance.
αὐτοῦin him / hisGenitiveobjective genitive (faith directed to him)αὐτός: 'him'; 'faith in him' (objective gen.) — Christ is the object of the faith that grants access.
13
διὸ αἰτοῦμαι μὴ ἐγκακεῖν ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσίν μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, ἥτις ἐστὶν δόξα ὑμῶν.
Therefore I ask you not to lose heart over my tribulations on your behalf, which are your glory.
The parenthesis closes with an appeal drawn from all that precedes: since his sufferings serve the glorious mystery, they are no cause for dismay but the readers' honor.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
διὸthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'therefore, for which reason'; drawing the practical conclusion from vv.2–12.
αἰτοῦμαιI askPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · αἰτέωmain verb→ customary/progressive presentαἰτέω (mid.): 'ask, request (for oneself)'; the middle adds a personal, earnest tone to the request.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)
ἐγκακεῖνto lose heartPres Act Inf · ἐγκακέωcomplementary infinitive (object of αἰτοῦμαι)→ present (ongoing prohibition)ἐγκακέω: 'grow weary, lose heart, become discouraged'; the subject may be the readers ('that you not lose heart') or Paul himself, but the former suits the appeal.
ἐνover/inpreposition + dative (cause/circumstance)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
θλίψεσίνtribulationsDativedat. of cause/occasionθλῖψις: 'pressure, affliction, tribulation' (θλίβω, 'press'); Paul's sufferings as a prisoner (v.1).
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
ὑπὲρon behalf ofpreposition + genitive (advantage)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
ἥτιςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative; subject)ὅστις: 'which (very thing)'; the qualitative relative — 'the sort of thing that' — referring to the sufferings.
ἐστὶνis/arePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (rel. clause; copula)→ stative present
δόξαgloryNominativepredicate nominativeδόξα: 'glory, honor'; Paul's afflictions for the Gentiles redound to their honor, not their shame.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
14
Τούτου χάριν κάμπτω τὰ γόνατά μου πρὸς τὸν πατέρα,
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
Repeating the opening words of v.1, Paul finally completes the suspended sentence: the prayer announced there now begins, with the vivid posture of kneeling intercession.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
Τούτουof thisGenitivegenitive with χάριν (cause)οὗτος: 'this'; resuming v.1, it gathers up the whole argument of chs. 1–3 as the ground of the prayer.
χάρινfor the sake ofimproper preposition + genitive (cause)χάριν: 'for the sake of'; the resumptive echo of v.1, marking the long parenthesis closed.
κάμπτωI bowPres Act Indic 1 Sg · κάμπτωmain verb→ progressive/dramatic presentκάμπτω: 'bend, bow'; with γόνατα = 'I bow the knees,' a posture of earnest, reverent prayer (cf. Phil 2:10).
τὰtheAccusativearticle
γόνατάkneesAccusativedirect objectγόνυ: 'knee'; bowing the knees signals submission and intensity of supplication.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
πρὸςbefore/topreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πατέραFatherAccusativeobject of πρός (the one addressed)πατήρ: 'Father'; God addressed in his fatherhood — the source from whom every family is named (v.15).
15
ἐξ οὗ πᾶσα πατριὰ ἐν οὐρανοῖς καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς ὀνομάζεται,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
A wordplay on πατήρ/πατριά: the Father is the one from whom every 'fatherhood'/family derives its very name and being — his paternity is archetypal over the whole created order.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
οὗwhomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ἐξ; antecedent the Father)
πᾶσαeveryNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'every, all'; 'every family' (or possibly 'the whole family') derives from him.
πατριὰfamily/fatherhoodNominativesubjectπατριά: 'family, lineage, clan' (cognate with πατήρ); the wordplay — every πατριά takes its name from the πατήρ.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
οὐρανοῖςheavenDativedat. of placeοὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; the heavenly families (angelic ranks) included in the Father's universal paternity.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place)γῆ: 'earth, land'; with 'heaven,' a merism for the whole of creation.
ὀνομάζεταιis namedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὀνομάζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ gnomic/stative presentὀνομάζω: 'name, give a name to'; to be 'named from' the Father is to derive one's existence and identity from him.
16
ἵνα δῷ ὑμῖν κατὰ τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ δυνάμει κραταιωθῆναι διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον,
that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner man,
The first petition: inner strengthening. Measured by 'the riches of his glory,' it asks for Spirit-given power in the hidden self — the foundation for all that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ἵναthatconjunction (content of prayer/purpose)
δῷhe may grantAor Act Subj 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of ἵνα clause (subjunctive)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give, grant'; the prayer's main verb — what Paul asks the Father to bestow.
ὑμῖνyouDativedat. of recipient
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/measure)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πλοῦτοςrichesAccusativeobject of κατά (measure)πλοῦτος: 'wealth, riches'; the gift is measured by — not merely out of — the abundance of God's glory.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
δόξηςgloryGenitiveattributive/possessive genitiveδόξα: 'glory'; the radiant fullness of God's being — the measure of his giving.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
δυνάμειwith powerDativedat. of means/mannerδύναμις: 'power, might'; the means of the strengthening — they are to be empowered.
κραταιωθῆναιto be strengthenedAor Pass Inf · κραταιόωcomplementary infinitive (object of δῷ)→ constative aoristκραταιόω: 'strengthen, make mighty' (from κράτος, 'strength, dominion'); divine passive — God's own strengthening.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency/means)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitiveobject of διά (agency)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit as the agent of inner empowering.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰςin/intopreposition + accusative (sphere/goal)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἔσωinneradverb used attributively (with ἄνθρωπον)ἔσω: 'within, inner'; ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος = 'the inner self' (cf. Rom 7:22; 2 Cor 4:16), the hidden seat of the renewed life.
ἄνθρωπονman/selfAccusativeobject of εἰς (locus of strengthening)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; the 'inner man' — the innermost person, where the Spirit works.
17
κατοικῆσαι τὸν Χριστὸν διὰ τῆς πίστεως ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν, ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἐρριζωμένοι καὶ τεθεμελιωμένοι,
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith — being rooted and grounded in love,
The aim and effect of the inner strengthening: Christ's settled indwelling. The two perfect participles (rooted, grounded) draw on agricultural and architectural images for a love-anchored existence.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
κατοικῆσαιto dwellAor Act Inf · κατοικέωinfinitive of result/purpose (parallel to κραταιωθῆναι)→ constative aorist (settled indwelling)κατοικέω: 'settle down, dwell permanently' (κατά + οἰκέω) — not transient lodging (παροικέω) but at-home residence of Christ in the heart.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativeaccusative subject of κατοικῆσαιΧριστός: Christ himself indwelling — the strengthening of v.16 is his deepening presence.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of διά (means)πίστις: 'faith'; the means of Christ's indwelling — he dwells where faith receives him.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
καρδίαιςheartsDativedat. of place (locus of indwelling)καρδία: 'heart'; the center of thought, will, and affection — the whole inner person, paralleling 'the inner man' (v.16).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἀγάπῃloveDativedat. of sphere (the soil/foundation)ἀγάπη: 'love'; the element in which the believer is rooted and built — likely God's/Christ's love embraced and reciprocated.
ἐρριζωμένοιrootedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ῥιζόωperfect ptc. (periphrastic/anacoluthic; state)→ intensive perfect (settled, abiding rootedness)ῥιζόω: 'cause to take root' (from ῥίζα, 'root'); an agricultural metaphor — firmly rooted, like a well-planted tree.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τεθεμελιωμένοιgrounded/foundedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · θεμελιόωperfect ptc. (coordinate; state)→ intensive perfect (settled foundation)θεμελιόω: 'lay a foundation, found firmly' (from θεμέλιος, 'foundation'); an architectural metaphor — built on a solid base (cf. 2:20).
18
ἵνα ἐξισχύσητε καταλαβέσθαι σὺν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἁγίοις τί τὸ πλάτος καὶ μῆκος καὶ ὕψος καὶ βάθος,
that you may have full strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
The further goal: power to grasp, together with the whole church, the vast 'dimensions' of Christ's love. The fourfold measure evokes immeasurable, all-encompassing magnitude.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
ἐξισχύσητεyou may have full strengthAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐξισχύωverb of ἵνα clause (subjunctive)→ ingressive/constative aoristἐξισχύω: 'be fully able, have strength enough' (ἐκ-intensive of ἰσχύω); a strong word — to be thoroughly empowered for the task.
καταλαβέσθαιto comprehend/graspAor Mid Inf · καταλαμβάνωcomplementary infinitive (with ἐξισχύσητε)→ constative aoristκαταλαμβάνω (mid.): 'seize, lay hold of, grasp mentally, comprehend'; to take firm hold of the truth of Christ's love.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (association)
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἁγίοιςsaintsDativedat. of association (substantival adj.)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the comprehension is a corporate achievement — grasped 'with all the saints,' not in isolation.
τίwhatinterrogative (introduces indir. question)τίς: interrogative 'what?'; introducing the object of comprehension.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πλάτοςbreadthNominativesubject (in indir. question)πλάτος: 'breadth, width'; first of four dimensions evoking the boundless extent of Christ's love.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μῆκοςlengthNominativesubject (coordinate)μῆκος: 'length'; the second dimension.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὕψοςheightNominativesubject (coordinate)ὕψος: 'height'; the third dimension.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βάθοςdepthNominativesubject (coordinate)βάθος: 'depth'; the fourth dimension — together a rhetorical totality, the immeasurable greatness of the love now to be named (v.19).
19
γνῶναί τε τὴν ὑπερβάλλουσαν τῆς γνώσεως ἀγάπην τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἵνα πληρωθῆτε εἰς πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ θεοῦ.
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.
The petition crests in a deliberate paradox — to 'know' the love that exceeds knowing — and reaches its ultimate aim: that they be filled up to the very fullness of God.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
γνῶναίto knowAor Act Inf · γινώσκωinfinitive (coordinate with καταλαβέσθαι)→ ingressive aorist (come to know)γινώσκω: 'know (experientially)'; not mere information but personal, relational knowledge of Christ's love.
τεandconnective particle (close coordination)τε: 'and'; a tighter link than καί — binding 'to know' closely to 'to comprehend' (v.18).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὑπερβάλλουσανsurpassingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · ὑπερβάλλωattributive participle (modifies ἀγάπην)→ present (characteristic)ὑπερβάλλω: 'exceed, surpass, throw beyond' (ὑπέρ + βάλλω); the love that overshoots all comprehension — 'surpassing knowledge.'
τῆςthanGenitivearticle (with genitive of comparison)
γνώσεωςknowledgeGenitivegenitive of comparison (with ὑπερβάλλουσαν)γνῶσις: 'knowledge'; the paradox — to know what surpasses (γνῶσις) knowing; experience outruns intellectual grasp.
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object of γνῶναιἀγάπη: 'love'; the love of Christ — the supreme object of knowledge and the theme of the prayer's climax.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivesubjective genitive (Christ's love for us)Χριστός: 'of Christ'; most naturally Christ's own love toward his people.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose/goal)
πληρωθῆτεyou may be filledAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · πληρόωverb of ἵνα clause (subjunctive)→ constative aoristπληρόω: 'fill, fill up, complete'; divine passive — God fills; the ultimate goal of the whole prayer.
εἰςto/untopreposition + accusative (goal/measure)
πᾶνallAccusativeattributive adjective
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πλήρωμαfullnessAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal/measure)πλήρωμα: 'fullness, that which fills'; 'filled up to all the fullness of God' — the measure of the filling is God's own fullness (cf. 1:23).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/source genitive
20
Τῷ δὲ δυναμένῳ ὑπὲρ πάντα ποιῆσαι ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ ὧν αἰτούμεθα ἢ νοοῦμεν κατὰ τὴν δύναμιν τὴν ἐνεργουμένην ἐν ἡμῖν,
Now to him who is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that is at work in us,
The prayer overflows into doxology. The piled-up 'beyond all… exceedingly beyond' magnifies God's limitless ability, grounded in the power already operative in believers.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
Τῷto the (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.; dat. of recipient of praise)
δὲnowtransitional conjunctionδέ: 'now, but'; marks the shift from petition to praise.
δυναμένῳwho is ablePres Mid/Dep Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · δύναμαιsubstantival participle (the one addressed)→ present (characteristic)δύναμαι: 'be able'; God characterized by power — 'the One who is able.'
ὑπὲρbeyondpreposition + accusative (above/beyond)
πάνταall thingsAccusativeobject of ὑπέρπᾶς: 'all'; God can do beyond the totality of our requests and thoughts.
ποιῆσαιto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (with δυναμένῳ)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, accomplish'; what God is able to do — exceeding all measure.
ὑπερεκπερισσοῦfar more abundantlyadverb (degree, superlative intensity)ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ: 'beyond all measure, superabundantly' — a triple-compound (ὑπέρ + ἐκ + περισσοῦ) typical of Ephesians' heaped superlatives.
ὧνthan whatGenitiverelative pronoun (gen. of comparison, attracted)ὅς: relative pronoun; case-attracted to its antecedent — 'than (the things) which we ask.'
αἰτούμεθαwe askPres Mid Indic 1 Pl · αἰτέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary presentαἰτέω (mid.): 'ask, request'; our petitions — far exceeded by God's ability.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
νοοῦμενwe thinkPres Act Indic 1 Pl · νοέωmain verb (rel. clause; coordinate)→ customary presentνοέω: 'think, conceive, imagine'; even our imagination falls short of God's power to act.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/measure)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δύναμινpowerAccusativeobject of κατά (measure)δύναμις: 'power'; the standard of God's working is the power already operative within believers (cf. 1:19).
τὴνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐνεργουμένηνthat is at workPres Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · ἐνεργέωattributive participle (modifies δύναμιν)→ present (ongoing operation)ἐνεργέω: 'work, be operative, be effective' (whence 'energize'); the power is presently and continually active in us.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location/sphere)
ἡμῖνusDativedat. of sphere (where the power works)
21
αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ καὶ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς πάσας τὰς γενεὰς τοῦ αἰῶνος τῶν αἰώνων· ἀμήν.
to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
The ascription proper: glory to God, located uniquely 'in the church and in Christ Jesus,' and stretching across all generations and ages — a sweeping close to the letter's doctrinal half, sealed with 'Amen.'
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
αὐτῷto himDativedat. of recipient (resumes Τῷ δυναμένῳ)αὐτός: 'him'; resuming the long dative of v.20 after the relative clauses — 'to him (I say) be the glory.'
ἡtheNominativearticle (with δόξα)
δόξαgloryNominativesubject (verbless ascription; 'be')δόξα: 'glory, honor'; the article ('the glory') points to the glory that is rightly and uniquely his.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐκκλησίᾳchurchDativedat. of sphere (where glory is rendered)ἐκκλησία: 'church, assembly'; the church is the sphere in which God is glorified — paired strikingly with 'in Christ Jesus.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/union)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of sphere (coordinate with ἐκκλησίᾳ)Χριστός: glory is rendered 'in Christ Jesus' — the head with whom the church (his body) is joined.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition to Χριστῷ
εἰςto/untopreposition + accusative (extent of time)
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
γενεὰςgenerationsAccusativeobject of εἰς (extent of time)γενεά: 'generation'; 'to all the generations' — the temporal sweep of the doxology.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
αἰῶνοςageGenitiveattributive genitive (Semitic superlative idiom)αἰών: 'age'; 'the age of the ages' is a Hebraic superlative — 'forever and ever,' unending time.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
αἰώνωνagesGenitiveattributive genitive (idiom of eternity)αἰών: 'age'; the doubled genitive intensifies — boundless, everlasting duration.
ἀμήνameninterjection (liturgical affirmation)ἀμήν: transliterated Hebrew ʾāmēn, 'truly, so be it'; the worshiping affirmation sealing the doxology.