Paul is taken up with the overwhelming goodness that God in Christ has showered on believers, and with his amazing plan to unite Gentiles with Jews in a new community—the church, the body of Christ. Here, Paul provides one of the finest descriptions of the Christian life in the entire New Testament. Though written from prison, this letter is full of joy, praise, and thanksgiving. It is a fittin…
1Por esta causa yo Pablo, prisionero de Cristo Jesús por vosotros los gentiles;
2si es que habéis oído de la administración de la gracia de Dios que me fue dada para con vosotros;
3que por revelación me fue declarado el misterio, como antes lo he escrito brevemente,
4leyendo lo cual podéis entender cuál sea mi conocimiento en el misterio de Cristo,
5misterio que en otras generaciones no se dio a conocer a los hijos de los hombres, como ahora es revelado a sus santos apóstoles y profetas por el Espíritu:
6que los gentiles son coherederos y miembros del mismo cuerpo, y copartícipes de la promesa en Cristo Jesús por medio del evangelio,
7del cual yo fui hecho ministro por el don de la gracia de Dios que me ha sido dado según la operación de su poder.
8A mí, que soy menos que el más pequeño de todos los santos, me fue dada esta gracia de anunciar entre los gentiles el evangelio de las inescrutables riquezas de Cristo,
9y de aclarar a todos cuál sea la dispensación del misterio escondido desde los siglos en Dios, que creó todas las cosas;
10para que la multiforme sabiduría de Dios sea ahora dada a conocer por medio de la iglesia a los principados y potestades en los lugares celestiales,
11conforme al propósito eterno que hizo en Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor,
12en quien tenemos seguridad y acceso con confianza por medio de la fe en él;
13por lo cual pido que no desmayéis a causa de mis tribulaciones por vosotros, las cuales son vuestra gloria.
14Por esta causa doblo mis rodillas ante el Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo,
15de quien toma nombre toda familia en los cielos y en la tierra,
16para que os dé, conforme a las riquezas de su gloria, el ser fortalecidos con poder en el hombre interior por su Espíritu;
17para que habite Cristo por la fe en vuestros corazones, a fin de que, arraigados y cimentados en amor,
18seáis plenamente capaces de comprender con todos los santos cuál sea la anchura, la longitud, la profundidad y la altura,
19y de conocer el amor de Cristo, que excede a todo conocimiento, para que seáis llenos de toda la plenitud de Dios.
20Y a Aquel que es poderoso para hacer todas las cosas mucho más abundantemente de lo que pedimos o entendemos, según el poder que actúa en nosotros,
21a él sea gloria en la iglesia en Cristo Jesús por todas las edades, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
I
Versículo 1
I. 3:1-13 Paul now describes his own role in God’s eternal plan: to proclaim God’s grace to the Gent…
3:1-13 Paul now describes his own role in God’s eternal plan: to proclaim God’s grace to the Gentiles.
3:1 When I think of all this: Paul has written about the amazing salvation that God’s grace has brought to undeserving sinners who are under his judgment, and about the incredible revelation that Gentiles can also be included in God’s new family, the people of God (chs 1–2). • a prisoner of Christ Jesus: Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned for his witness to Christ among the Gentiles.
II
Versículo 2
II. 3:2-13 Paul interrupts his thought in 3:1 to discuss his own role in God’s plan. When Paul was fi…
3:2-13 Paul interrupts his thought in 3:1 to discuss his own role in God’s plan. When Paul was first converted, he was given the special responsibility of extending God’s grace to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:15-16; 22:14-15, 21; 26:17-18; Rom 1:5; 11:13-14; 15:15-18; Gal 1:15-16; 2:7-9; Col 1:25-27; 1 Tim 2:7; 2 Tim 4:17).
III
Versículo 3
III. 3:3 What Paul briefly wrote earlier is a reference either to 1:9-10 (cp. 2:11-22) or to an unknow…
3:3 What Paul briefly wrote earlier is a reference either to 1:9-10 (cp. 2:11-22) or to an unknown letter. • Paul’s understanding of God’s mysterious plan (see study note on 1:8-10) came as God himself revealed it to him (see 1:9-10; Gal 1:11-12, 15-17; cp. Acts 9:3-6; 1 Cor 12:1, 7; Gal 2:2).
IV
Versículo 5
IV. 3:5 his holy apostles: See 1:1. • The order of the terms apostles and prophets (see 2:20) suggest…
3:5 his holy apostles: See 1:1. • The order of the terms apostles and prophets (see 2:20) suggests that Paul is speaking of New Testament, not Old Testament, prophets. In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, the gift of prophecy is concerned less with predicting the future than with speaking a special word from God (see 1 Cor 12:10).
V
Versículo 6
V. 3:6 God’s plan that has now been revealed to Paul is that the Gentiles are now included in God’s …
3:6 God’s plan that has now been revealed to Paul is that the Gentiles are now included in God’s family, the body of Christ, just as Jews are. They share equally in God’s eternal blessings.
VI
Versículo 7
VI. 3:7 grace: See study note on 1:2. • serving him: Paul speaks of himself as a servant of the Good …
3:7 grace: See study note on 1:2. • serving him: Paul speaks of himself as a servant of the Good News (see also Col 1:23), of God (1 Cor 3:5; 2 Cor 6:4), of Christ (2 Cor 11:23), of the church (Col 1:25), and of the new covenant (2 Cor 3:6).
VII
Versículo 8
VII. 3:8 Paul considered himself the least deserving of all God’s people (literally the least of God’s…
3:8 Paul considered himself the least deserving of all God’s people (literally the least of God’s people) because he was once an ardent persecutor of believers (see 1 Cor 15:9; 1 Tim 1:12-16). • the endless treasures available to them in Christ: See Eph 1:3-14.
VIII
Versículo 10
VIII. 3:10 The church is meant to showcase to the entire universe God’s wisdom in its rich variety, as …
3:10 The church is meant to showcase to the entire universe God’s wisdom in its rich variety, as expressed in his plan of redemption (see Rom 11:33-36). • the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places: See Eph 1:21 and corresponding study note.
IX
Versículo 12
IX. 3:12 We can come boldly and confidently into God’s presence, not because of good deeds that we ha…
3:12 We can come boldly and confidently into God’s presence, not because of good deeds that we have done, but because of Christ’s all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins (see 2:18; Heb 4:14-16; 10:19-23; 1 Pet 3:18; 1 Jn 4:14).
X
Versículo 13
X. 3:13 my trials here: Paul is writing from jail, as a prisoner (see 3:1). He knows that suffering …
3:13 my trials here: Paul is writing from jail, as a prisoner (see 3:1). He knows that suffering is to be expected and that it works for good in a believer’s life (see Rom 5:3-5; Col 1:24; 1 Thes 3:3; 2 Tim 3:12; Jas 1:2-4).
XI
Versículo 14
XI. 3:14-21 Paul closes this section (1:3–3:21) with a second prayer for his readers. The first (1:15…
3:14-21 Paul closes this section (1:3–3:21) with a second prayer for his readers. The first (1:15-23) was for their spiritual understanding, the second (3:14-21) is for their spiritual growth and empowerment.
3:14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray: Paul resumes what he started to say at the beginning of the chapter (see 3:1).
XII
Versículo 15
XII. 3:15-16 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth (or from whom every family in heaven and…
3:15-16 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth (or from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name): There is a play on words between Father (Greek patēr, 3:14) and family (Greek patria). God is the Creator of everything, including every family—angelic or human, Gentile or Jew (see 2:14-22; 3:6). So he is the source of glorious, unlimited resources that he gladly gives his children.
XIII
Versículo 17
XIII. 3:17 Having Christ . . . make his home in your hearts is the source of spiritual power for life a…
3:17 Having Christ . . . make his home in your hearts is the source of spiritual power for life and ministry (see John 14:16-17, 23; 15:4-5; Gal 2:20).
XIV
Versículo 18
XIV. 3:18 how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is: Christ’s love is great in every dime…
3:18 how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is: Christ’s love is great in every dimension (cp. Rom 8:38-39).
XV
Versículo 19
XV. 3:19 May you experience (literally know) the love of Christ: The whole Christian life is based on…
3:19 May you experience (literally know) the love of Christ: The whole Christian life is based on the experience and personal knowledge of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ (see Rom 12:1). • it is too great to understand fully: Christ’s love is much greater than ordinary human love (see Rom 5:6-8). • The believer’s life is made complete when it is filled with all the fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within (see Eph 1:23; Gal 2:20; Col 1:27). The believer then is conformed to his image and reflects God (see Eph 4:14, 24; 5:1-2; Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:16-18).
16
Versículo 20
16. 3:20-21 This doxology concludes the first section of the letter (see also Rom 16:25-27; Gal 1:5; …
3:20-21 This doxology concludes the first section of the letter (see also Rom 16:25-27; Gal 1:5; 1 Tim 1:17; 2 Tim 4:18; Jude 1:24-25).
3:20 all glory to God: Because of the grace God has shown in Jesus Christ, he deserves nothing less. • The mighty power at work within us is the power of the living God that raised Christ from the dead (see 1:19-20). By that power, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think, because God is at work in the lives of his children (see Rom 8:31-39; Phil 4:13; Col 1:29).
17
Versículo 21
17. 3:21 The church—the community of believers, both Jews and Gentiles—is to be the reflection and fu…
3:21 The church—the community of believers, both Jews and Gentiles—is to be the reflection and full expression of the glory of God.
Nuevo Testamento
Ephesians — Capítulo 3
Paul is taken up with the overwhelming goodness that God in Christ has showered on believers, and with his amazing plan to unite Gentiles with Jews in a new community—the church, the body of Christ. Here, Paul provides one of the finest descriptions of the Christian life in the entire New Testament. Though written from prison, this letter is full of joy, praise, and thanksgiving. It is a fittin…
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Por esta causa yo Pablo, prisionero de Cristo Jesús por vosotros los gentiles;
2si es que habéis oído de la administración de la gracia de Dios que me fue dada para con vosotros;
3que por revelación me fue declarado el misterio, como antes lo he escrito brevemente,
4leyendo lo cual podéis entender cuál sea mi conocimiento en el misterio de Cristo,
5misterio que en otras generaciones no se dio a conocer a los hijos de los hombres, como ahora es revelado a sus santos apóstoles y profetas por el Espíritu:
6que los gentiles son coherederos y miembros del mismo cuerpo, y copartícipes de la promesa en Cristo Jesús por medio del evangelio,
7del cual yo fui hecho ministro por el don de la gracia de Dios que me ha sido dado según la operación de su poder.
8A mí, que soy menos que el más pequeño de todos los santos, me fue dada esta gracia de anunciar entre los gentiles el evangelio de las inescrutables riquezas de Cristo,
9y de aclarar a todos cuál sea la dispensación del misterio escondido desde los siglos en Dios, que creó todas las cosas;
10para que la multiforme sabiduría de Dios sea ahora dada a conocer por medio de la iglesia a los principados y potestades en los lugares celestiales,
11conforme al propósito eterno que hizo en Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor,
12en quien tenemos seguridad y acceso con confianza por medio de la fe en él;
13por lo cual pido que no desmayéis a causa de mis tribulaciones por vosotros, las cuales son vuestra gloria.
14Por esta causa doblo mis rodillas ante el Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo,
15de quien toma nombre toda familia en los cielos y en la tierra,
16para que os dé, conforme a las riquezas de su gloria, el ser fortalecidos con poder en el hombre interior por su Espíritu;
17para que habite Cristo por la fe en vuestros corazones, a fin de que, arraigados y cimentados en amor,
18seáis plenamente capaces de comprender con todos los santos cuál sea la anchura, la longitud, la profundidad y la altura,
19y de conocer el amor de Cristo, que excede a todo conocimiento, para que seáis llenos de toda la plenitud de Dios.
20Y a Aquel que es poderoso para hacer todas las cosas mucho más abundantemente de lo que pedimos o entendemos, según el poder que actúa en nosotros,
21a él sea gloria en la iglesia en Cristo Jesús por todas las edades, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
Versículo 1
I. 3:1-13 Paul now describes his own role in God’s eternal plan: to proclaim God’s grace to the Gent…
Versículo 2
II. 3:2-13 Paul interrupts his thought in 3:1 to discuss his own role in God’s plan. When Paul was fi…
Versículo 3
III. 3:3 What Paul briefly wrote earlier is a reference either to 1:9-10 (cp. 2:11-22) or to an unknow…
Versículo 5
IV. 3:5 his holy apostles: See 1:1. • The order of the terms apostles and prophets (see 2:20) suggest…
Versículo 6
V. 3:6 God’s plan that has now been revealed to Paul is that the Gentiles are now included in God’s …
Versículo 7
VI. 3:7 grace: See study note on 1:2. • serving him: Paul speaks of himself as a servant of the Good …
Versículo 8
VII. 3:8 Paul considered himself the least deserving of all God’s people (literally the least of God’s…
Versículo 10
VIII. 3:10 The church is meant to showcase to the entire universe God’s wisdom in its rich variety, as …
Versículo 12
IX. 3:12 We can come boldly and confidently into God’s presence, not because of good deeds that we ha…
Versículo 13
X. 3:13 my trials here: Paul is writing from jail, as a prisoner (see 3:1). He knows that suffering …
Versículo 14
XI. 3:14-21 Paul closes this section (1:3–3:21) with a second prayer for his readers. The first (1:15…
Versículo 15
XII. 3:15-16 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth (or from whom every family in heaven and…
Versículo 17
XIII. 3:17 Having Christ . . . make his home in your hearts is the source of spiritual power for life a…
Versículo 18
XIV. 3:18 how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is: Christ’s love is great in every dime…
Versículo 19
XV. 3:19 May you experience (literally know) the love of Christ: The whole Christian life is based on…
Versículo 20
16. 3:20-21 This doxology concludes the first section of the letter (see also Rom 16:25-27; Gal 1:5; …
Versículo 21
17. 3:21 The church—the community of believers, both Jews and Gentiles—is to be the reflection and fu…