1For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— (徒23:18; 弗3:13; 弗4:1; 弗6:20; 腓1:7; 西1:24)2assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, (徒11:23; 羅1:5; 弗1:10; 弗3:7; 弗4:7; 西1:25; 提前1:4)3how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. (但2:29; 徒22:17; 徒22:21; 徒26:16; 羅16:25; 林后12:1; 弗1:9)4When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, (林后11:6; 西4:3)5which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.6This mystery is[1] that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (加3:29; 弗2:16; 弗5:7)7Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. (林后3:6; 弗1:19; 弗3:2; 弗3:20; 西1:23; 西1:25)8To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, (伯5:9; 徒9:15; 羅2:4; 羅11:33; 林前15:9; 弗1:18)9and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in[2] God, who created all things, (弗2:10; 弗3:2; 西1:26; 启4:11)10so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (羅11:33; 弗1:3; 弗1:21; 弗6:12; 彼前1:12)11This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, (弗1:11)12in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. (可11:22; 林后3:4; 弗2:18; 腓3:9; 來4:16; 來10:19)13So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. (林后1:6; 弗3:1)
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,15from whom every family[3] in heaven and on earth is named, (弗1:10; 弗1:21)16that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (羅7:22; 林前16:13; 弗3:8; 弗6:10; 腓4:13; 西1:11)17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (弗2:22; 西1:23; 西2:7)18may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (伯11:8; 约1:5; 羅8:39)19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (弗1:23; 腓4:7; 西2:10)20Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (羅16:25; 林后9:8; 弗3:7; 犹1:24)21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (羅11:36)