III. World Mission of the Church

Commission to Preach God’s Plan.* 1Because of this,a I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ* [Jesus] for you Gentiles— 2if, as I suppose, you have heard of the stewardship* of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit,b 3[namely, that] the mystery* was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier.c 4When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit,d 6that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.e

7Of this I became a minister by the gift of God’s grace that was granted me in accord with the exercise of his power.f 8To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ,g 9and to bring to light [for all]* what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things,h 10so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the principalities and authorities* in the heavens.i 11This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him.j 13So I ask you not to lose heart over my afflictions for you; this is your glory.k

Prayer for the Readers.* 14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom every family* in heaven and on earth is named, 16that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,l 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love,m 18may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth,n 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.o

20Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us,p 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.