RSV ~ Ephesians 3 Notes

Eph 3:1 | ISB Notes

Paul, a prisoner: Probably in Rome, possibly under house arrest (Acts 28:16, 30).

Eph 3:2 | ISB Notes

stewardship: The administrative tasks of a servant in charge of the household and finances of his master. Paul is a steward of divine mysteries (1 Cor 4:1) chosen to manage the household affairs of the Church (1 Tim 3:15). The grace of God has come to him on its way to others—the “Gentiles” and the “sons of Israel” (Acts 9:15).

Eph 3:3 | ISB Notes

written briefly: Points back to earlier comments about the mystery revealed in Christ (1:9-10) and the salvation of the Gentiles (2:11-22).

Eph 3:6 | ISB Notes

Gentiles are fellow heirs: The OT revealed that the nations would be blessed, but it remained unclear how this would take place (Gen 22:16-18; Sir 44:21; Is 49:6; Zech 2:11). It was also not clear before the proclamation of the gospel whether the Gentiles would be saved on an equal footing with Israel (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11).

Eph 3:8 | ISB Notes

I am the very least: Paul is overcome by a sense of unworthiness and overawed that God could transform a sinner like himself into a servant of the gospel (1 Cor 15:9; 1 Tim 1:15).

Eph 3:10 | ISB Notes

through the Church: Christ continues to teach, heal, and save the world through his mystical body. This mystery was once hidden from the angels (1 Pet 1:12) but is now manifest for the principalities and powers to look on and learn the plan of salvation. To the blessed angels, it is a glorious vision of an ever-expanding family; to the demons, it is a frightful spectacle of their own achievements toppling over with the triumph of the gospel. Elsewhere Paul portrays the Church as a pillar that upholds the truth for all to see (1 Tim 3:15). See note on 1:21.

Eph 3:14 | ISB Notes

bow my knees: Kneeling is a gesture of submission and worship (Ps 95:6; Acts 20:36). It is a way of expressing through the body the inner attitude of the heart (CCC 2702-3).

Eph 3:15 | ISB Notes

family: The term (Gk. patria) refers to a group of related individuals who trace their origin to a common father or forefather and is linguistically related to the word “Father” (Gk. pater) in the preceding verse. Because God is the supreme Father of men and angels, his life-giving Paternity is the reality of which created fatherhood and family life are only a reflection (CCC 239, 2214).

Eph 3:18 | ISB Notes

breadth … length … height … depth: Many connect these dimensions with the limitless scope of Christ’s love, which surpasses understanding (3:19). Others see a reference to the untraceable vastness of God and his wisdom (Job 11:7-9) or to the cubic proportions of the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev 21:16).

• The four dimensions are the four extensions of the Cross. By height is meant heaven, by depth the underworld, by length and breadth the cosmic order in between. In each of these realms, devotion to the Lord is rendered (St. Gregory of Nyssa, On the Three Days).

Eph 3:20 | ISB Notes

more abundantly: God can accomplish things far beyond expectation if only we pray with faith (Jas 1:6-8) and remove from our lives the hindrances of sin (Ps 66:18; 1 Pet 3:7).