Ephesians 3:2–3
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
If ye haue heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is giuen me to youward:
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
How that by reuelation hee made knowen vnto me the mysterie, (as I wrote ‖afore in few words,
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- ‖Alternative wordingOr, a little before.
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From verse 2
- 1 Timothy 1:11Rank 1 from verse 2
- Colossians 1:25–27Rank 2 from verse 2
25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
25Whereof I am made a Minister, according to the dispensation of God, which is giuen to mee for you, ‖to fulfill the word of God:
26Euen the mystery which hath been hid from ages, and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints,
27To whom God would make knowen what is the riches of the glory of this mysterie among the Gentiles, which is Christ ‖in you, the hope of glory:
- 2 Timothy 1:11Rank 3 from verse 2
- Galatians 1:15–16Rank 4 from verse 2
15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mothers wombe, and called me by his grace,
16To reueale his sonne in mee, that I might preach him among the heathen, immediatly I conferred not with flesh and blood:
- Romans 1:5Rank 5 from verse 2
- Ephesians 4:7Rank 6 from verse 2
- 1 Corinthians 4:1Rank 7 from verse 2
- 1 Corinthians 9:17–22Rank 8 from verse 2
17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
18What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
17For if I doe this thing willingly, I haue a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the Gospel is committed vnto me.
18What is my reward then? verily that when I preach the Gospel, I may make the Gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the Gospel.
19For though I bee free from all men, yet haue I made my selfe seruant vnto all, that I might gaine the more.
20And vnto the Iewes, I became as a Iew, that I might gaine the Iewes: to them that are vnder the Law, as vnder the Law, that I might gaine them that are vnder the Law:
21To them that are without Law, as without Law (being not without Law to God, but vnder the Law to Christ,) that I might gaine them that are without Law.
22To the weake became I as weake, that I might gaine the weake: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all meanes saue some.
- Ephesians 1:10Rank 9 from verse 2
10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
10That in the dispensation of the fulnesse of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in †heauen, and which are on earth, euen in him:
- Galatians 1:13Rank 10 from verse 2
- Acts 13:46Rank 12 from verse 2
46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first haue bene spoken to you: but seeing yee put it from you, and iudge your selues vnworthy of euerlasting life, loe, we turne to the Gentiles.
- Acts 22:21Rank 13 from verse 2
- Acts 26:17–18Rank 14 from verse 2
17Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
17Deliuering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, vnto whom now I send thee,
18To open their eyes, and to turne them from darknesse to light, and from the power of Satan vnto God, that they may receiue forgiuenesse of sinnes, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
15But the Lord said vnto him, Goe thy way: for hee is a chosen vessell vnto me, to beare my Name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel.
- Romans 15:15–16Rank 16 from verse 2
15Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
15Neuerthelesse, brethren, I haue written the more boldly vnto you, in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is giuen to mee of God,
16That I should be the minister of Iesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministring the Gospel of God, that the ‖offering vp of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Ghost.
- 1 Timothy 1:4Rank 17 from verse 2
- 1 Timothy 2:7Rank 18 from verse 2
- Colossians 1:4Rank 19 from verse 2
- Ephesians 3:8Rank 20 from verse 2
- Ephesians 4:21Rank 21 from verse 2
- Galatians 2:8–9Rank 22 from verse 2
8(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
8(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the Apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mightie in me towards the Gentiles.)
9And when Iames, Cephas and Iohn, who seemed to bee pillars, perceiued the grace that was giuen vnto me, they gaue to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that wee should goe vnto the heathen, and they vnto the circumcision.
- Romans 11:13Rank 23 from verse 2
- Romans 12:3Rank 24 from verse 2
3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
3For I say, through the grace giuen vnto mee, to euery man that is among you, not to thinke of himselfe more highly then hee ought to thinke, but to thinke †soberly, according as God hath dealt to euery man the measure of faith.
- Colossians 1:6Rank 25 from verse 2
6Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
6Which is come vnto you as it is in all the world, and bringeth foorth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day yee heard of it, and knew the grace of God in trueth,
From verse 3
- Galatians 1:12Rank 1 from verse 3
- Romans 16:25Rank 2 from verse 3
25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Iesus Christ, according to the reuelation of the the mysterie, which was kept secret since the world began:
- Ephesians 1:9–11Rank 3 from verse 3
9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
9Hauing made knowen vnto vs the mysterie of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he had purposed in himselfe,
10That in the dispensation of the fulnesse of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in †heauen, and which are on earth, euen in him:
11In whom also we haue obteined an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsell of his owne will:
- Ephesians 3:9Rank 4 from verse 3
9And 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:
9And to make all men see, what is the fellowship of the mysterie, which from the beginning of the world, hath bene hid in God, who created all things by Iesus Christ:
- Acts 22:17Rank 5 from verse 3
- Colossians 1:26–27Rank 6 from verse 3
26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
26Euen the mystery which hath been hid from ages, and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints,
27To whom God would make knowen what is the riches of the glory of this mysterie among the Gentiles, which is Christ ‖in you, the hope of glory:
- Ephesians 3:4Rank 7 from verse 3
- 1 Corinthians 2:9–10Rank 8 from verse 3
9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
9But as it is written, *Eye hath not seene, nor eare heard, neither haue entred into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that loue him.
10But God hath reueiled them vnto vs by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deepe things of God.
- Acts 22:21Rank 9 from verse 3
- Ephesians 1:17Rank 10 from verse 3
- Ephesians 2:11–22Rank 11 from verse 3
11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
11Wherefore remember that ye being in time passed Gentiles in the flesh, who are called vncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands,
12That at that time yee were without Christ, being aliens from the common wealth of Israel, and strangers from the couenants of promise, hauing no hope, & without God in the world.
13But now in Christ Iesus, ye who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14For hee is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken downe the middle wall of partition betweene vs:
15Hauing abolished in his flesh the enmitie, euen the Lawe of Commandements conteined in Ordinances, for to make in himselfe, of twaine, one newe man, so making peace.
16And that he might reconcile both vnto God in one body by the crosse, hauing slaine the enmitie ‖thereby,
17And came, and preached peace to you, which were afarre off, and to them that were nigh.
18For through him wee both haue an accesse by one Spirit vnto the Father.
19Now therefore yee are no more strangers and forreiners; but fellow citizens with the Saints, and of the houshold of God,
20And are built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone,
21In whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth vnto an holy Temple in the Lord:
22In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God thorow the Spirit.
- Galatians 1:16–19Rank 12 from verse 3
16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
16To reueale his sonne in mee, that I might preach him among the heathen, immediatly I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17Neither went I vp to Ierusalem, to them which were Apostles before me, but I went into Arabia, and returned againe vnto Damascus.
18Then after three yeeres, I ‖went vp to Ierusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteene dayes.
19But other of the Apostles saw I none, saue Iames the Lords brother.
9And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
9And there arose a great cry: and the Scribes that were of the Pharisees part arose, and stroue, saying, Wee finde no euill in this man: but if a spirit or an Angel hath spoken to him, let vs not fight against God.
- Acts 26:15–19Rank 14 from verse 3
15And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
19Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
15And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And hee said, I am Iesus whom thou persecutest.
16But rise, and stand vpon thy feete, for I haue appeared vnto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witnesse, both of these things which thou hast seene, & of those things in the which I will appeare vnto thee,
17Deliuering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, vnto whom now I send thee,
18To open their eyes, and to turne them from darknesse to light, and from the power of Satan vnto God, that they may receiue forgiuenesse of sinnes, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
19Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient vnto the heauenly vision:
- Romans 11:25Rank 15 from verse 3
25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
25For I would not, brethren, that ye should bee ignorant of this mysterie (least yee should bee wise in your owne conceits) that ‖blindnesse in part is happened to Israel, vntill the fulnes of the Gentiles be come in.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
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DEFINED WORDS
Ephesians 3:2
The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Perceived by the ear. Sense 2: Received or learned by report. Sense 3: Listened to, regarded, or heeded. Sense 4: Favourably attended to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
dispensation
Sense 1: An administration, arrangement, or ordering. Sense 2: A stewardship or responsibility committed or given to someone.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
Sense 1: Favor, acceptance, goodwill, kindness, or mercy. Sense 2: A favor, gift, benefit, or help freely bestowed, especially God's favor and enabling help; in salvation, explicitly contrasted with works and debt. Sense 3: Pleasing quality, beauty, attractiveness, or elegance, including gracious speech. Sense 4: Thankfulness or gratitude.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
The one true God.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Bestowed, granted, delivered, or appointed.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Toward you or in relation to you.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Ephesians 3:3
COMBINED MEANING
revelation
An uncovering, disclosure, manifestation, or making known.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Recognized, understood, perceived, acknowledged, or made evident.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
A matter or meaning hidden or formerly hidden, secret, unrevealed, or not understood.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Set down, recorded, composed, or communicated in writing; the past tense of write.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Beforehand; previously.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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Read all 21 verses in Ephesians 3:1–21
3:1FOR this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
3:1¶ For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Iesus Christ for you Gentiles,
3:2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3:2If ye haue heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is giuen me to youward:
Selected passage3:3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
3:3How that by reuelation hee made knowen vnto me the mysterie, (as I wrote ‖afore in few words,
Selected passage3:4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
3:4Whereby when ye reade, ye may vnderstand my knowledge in the mysterie of Christ.)
3:5Which 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;
3:5Which in other ages was not made knowen vnto the sonnes of men, as it is now reueiled vnto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit,
3:6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
3:6That the Gentiles should be fellow heires, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ, by the Gospel:
3:7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
3:7Whereof I was made a Minister, according to the gift of the grace of God giuen vnto mee, by the effectuall working of his power.
3:8Unto 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;
3:8Unto mee, who am lesse then the least of all Saints, is this grace giuen, that I should preach among the Gentiles the vnsearchable riches of Christ,
3:9And 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:
3:9And to make all men see, what is the fellowship of the mysterie, which from the beginning of the world, hath bene hid in God, who created all things by Iesus Christ:
3:10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
3:10To the intent that now vnto the principalities and powers in heauenly places, might be knowen by the church, the manifold wisedome of God,
3:11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
3:11According to the eternall purpose which he purposed in Christ Iesus our Lord:
3:12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
3:12In whom we haue boldnesse and accesse, with confidence, by the faith of him.
3:13Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
3:13Wherefore I desire that yee faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
3:14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
3:14For this cause I bow my knees vnto the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ,
3:15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
3:15Of whom the whole family in heauen and earth is named,
3:16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
3:16That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to bee strengthened with might, by his Spirit in the inner man,
3:17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
3:17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that yee being rooted and grounded in loue,
3:18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
3:18May be able to comprehend with all Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height:
3:19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
3:19And to know the loue of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that yee might bee filled with all the fulnesse of God.
3:20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
3:20Now vnto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly aboue all that wee aske or thinke, according to the power that worketh in vs,
3:21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
3:21Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Iesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.