Faithlife Study Bible (FSB) is your guide to the ancient world of the Old and New Testaments, with study notes and articles that draw from a wide range of academic research. FSB helps you learn how to think about interpretation methods and issues so that you can gain a deeper understanding of the text.
3:8 least of all the saints Paul considered himself the least because he had persecuted the Church prior to becoming a Christ-follower (1 Cor 15:9; compare Acts 9:4; 1 Tim 1:15–16).
fathomless riches of Christ Refers to the blessings made available through Christ (Eph 1:3–8).
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Eph 3:8). Lexham Press.
The Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament surveys each book of the New Testament at several levels—Book, Division, Section, Pericope, Paragraph, and Unit—providing contextually appropriate commentary on each level. The reader of the commentary can easily ascertain the contextual importance of any larger section, or pericope, or even a particular verse of Scripture.
Purpose of the Mystery (3:8–13)
In this paragraph Paul reveals the ultimate purpose of the mystery that is now disclosed as the gentiles being made part of the family of God. He explains in 3:10 that God’s great wisdom, and thus his glory, is now made known to all. He states that he was called to preach Christ to the gentiles and reveal this mystery (3:8–9) so that God’s will could be disclosed.
He continues to explain that this was also the purpose of Jesus’ work (3:11–12). Based on this knowledge, Paul beseeches the Ephesians to not be discouraged when they see his suffering; rather, these sufferings are actually for the benefit of the Ephesians, for through them the mystery has been revealed, the Ephesians are brought into God’s family, and God receives the glory.
3:8 Paul begins this paragraph by continuing the explanation of his role in revealing the mystery of Christ. He acknowledges that he is the least of the saints, surely alluding to his previous attacks on Christians. He then explains a twofold responsibility of this calling. The first obligation, which is explained in the remainder of 3:8, was to the gentiles. The second, explained in 3:9, was directed to all people.
Mangum, D., ed. (2020). Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament (Eph 3:8–13). Lexham Press.
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