v.1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.
v.2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward.
“dispensation” means the office of an apostle
v.3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
“revelation” means revelations from God
“mystery” means having been long hidden and first revealed in later times
v.4 Whereby, when ye read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
v.5 Which 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:
v.6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
“Gentiles” means a non-Jewish tribe
“fellowheirs” means Gentiles as being joint heirs with Israel
“the same body” means a fellow member of the Christian community
“promise” means future blessings
“gospel” means plan of salvation, its doctrines, declarations, precepts and promises
v.7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
v.8 Unto 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:
“should preach” means preach about Jesus Christ
“riches” means wealthy and abundant
v.9 And 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:
“fellowship” means partnership and participation
v.10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
“principalities” means princes or chief among angels
“powers” means angels and archangels
“church” means universal church
“wisdom of God” means the divine wisdom, including the ideas of infinite skill, insight, knowledge and purity
v.11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
“purpose” means counsel and plans of God
“purposed” means expressing action either as completed or continued
v.12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
“boldness” means assurance
v.13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
“faint” means to lose ones courage
“tribulations” means the suffering of affliction
“glory” means the occasion or source of honor
v.14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
v.15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
v.16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man,
“to be strengthened” means to empower and increase in vigor,
v.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
“may dwell” means of Christ as being ever present by His Spirit in the hearts of Christians
v.18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
“to comprehend” means to seize with the mind
v.19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
“fulness of God” means of grace and God’s provisions
v.20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
“exceeding abundantly” means beyond measure