Ephesians 3:2-9 KJV,ASV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:2

If ye have heard of the dispensation - The compound particle ειγε , which is commonly translated if indeed, in several places means since indeed, seeing that, and should be translated so in this verse, and in several other places of the New Testament. Seeing ye have heard of the dispensation of God, which is given me to you-ward: this they had amply learned from the apostle during his stay at Ephesus, for he had not shunned to declare unto them the whole counsel of God, Acts 20:27 , and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:3

By revelation he made known unto me - Instead of εγνωρισε , he made known, εγνωρισθη , was made known, is the reading of ABCD*FG, several others, both the Syriac, Coptic, Slavonic, Vulgate, and Itala, with Clemens, Cyril, Chrysostom, Theodoret, Damascenus, and others: it is doubtless the true reading. The apostle wishes the Ephesians to understand that it was not an opinion of his own, or a doctrine which he was taught by others, or which he had gathered from the ancient prophets; but... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:4

Whereby, when ye read - When ye refer back to them. Ye may understand my knowledge - Ye may see what God has given me to know concerning what has been hitherto a mystery - the calling of the Gentiles, and the breaking down the middle wall between them and the Jews, so as to make both one spiritual body, and on the same conditions. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:5

Which in other ages was not made known - That the calling of the Gentiles was made known by the prophets in different ages of the Jewish Church is exceedingly clear; but it certainly was not made known in that clear and precise manner in which it was now revealed by the Spirit unto the ministers of the New Testament: nor was it made known unto them at all, that the Gentiles should find salvation without coming under the yoke of the Mosaic law, and that the Jews themselves should be freed... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:6

That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs - This is the substance of that mystery which had been hidden from all ages, and which was now made known to the New Testament apostles and prophets, and more particularly to St. Paul. His promise in Christ - That the promise made to Abraham extended to the Gentiles, the apostle has largely proved in his Epistle to the Romans; and that it was to be fulfilled to them by and through Christ, he proves there also; and particularly in his Epistle to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:7

Whereof I was made a minister - Διακονος· A deacon, a servant acting under and by the direction of the great Master, Jesus Christ; from whom, by an especial call and revelation, I received the apostolic gifts and office, and by την ενεργειαν της δυναμεως αυτου , the energy, the in-working of his power, this Gospel which I preached was made effectual to the salvation of vast multitudes of Jews and Gentiles. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:8

Less than the least of all saints - Ελαχιστοτερῳ παντων ἁγιων . As the design of the apostle was to magnify the grace of Christ in the salvation of the world, he uses every precaution to prevent the eyes of the people from being turned to any thing but Christ crucified; and although he was obliged to speak of himself as the particular instrument which God had chosen to bring the Gentile world to the knowledge of the truth, yet he does it in such a manner as to show that the excellency of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:9

And to make all men see - Και φωτισαι παντας· And to illuminate all; to give information both to Jews and Gentiles; to afford them a sufficiency of light, so that they might be able distinctly to discern the great objects exhibited in this Gospel. What is the fellowship of the mystery - The word κοινωνια , which we properly translate fellowship, was used among the Greeks to signify their religious communities; here it may intimate the association of Jews and Gentiles in one Church or... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:2

Verse 2 2.If ye have heard. There is reason to believe, that, while Paul was at Ephesus, he had said nothing on these subjects, no necessity for doing so having arisen; for no controversy had taken place among them about the calling of the Gentiles. If he had made any mention of them in his discourses, he would have reminded the Ephesians of his former statements, instead of referring generally, as he now does, to common report and to his own Epistle. He did not, of his own accord, raise... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:3

Verse 3 3.That by revelation. Some might imagine, that, in attempting to discharge the office of an apostle, he had acted rashly, and was now paying the penalty of his rashness. It was this that made him so earnest in pleading the Divine authority for all his transactions. The present instance, on account of its novelty, had few supporters; and therefore he calls it a mystery. By this name he endeavors to remove the prejudice which the general displeasure at the event was fitted to excite. His... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:3

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