Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles

1For this reason, I, Paul, the prisonera of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles —  2assuming you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that he gave me for you. 3The mystery was made known to me by revelation,a as I have briefly written above. 4By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.a 5This was not made known to peopleA in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophetsa by the Spirit: 6The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promisea in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.a

8This grace was given to me — the least of all the saints — to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable richesa of Christ, 9and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who createda all things. 10This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdoma may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens.b 11This is according to his eternal purposea accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12In him we have boldness and confident accessa through faith in him.A 13So, then, I ask you not to be discourageda over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.b

Prayer for Spiritual Power

14For this reason I kneela before the FatherA 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 16I pray that he may grant you, according to the richesa of his glory,b to be strengthened with powerc in your inner beingd through his Spirit, 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love,a 19and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20Now to him who is ablea to do above and beyond all that we ask or thinkb according to the powerc that works in us —  21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.a