Ephesians 3 in the early church
409 passages quote, allude to, or echo Ephesians 3, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21
Ephesians 3:1
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...
Ephesians 3:2
Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eph 3:2 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.1 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:2 | Commentary on Ephesians 3:2–4 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Ephesians 3:3
that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eph 3:3 | Against Heresies 3.12.9 · Irenaeus of Lyons | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| Eph 3:3 | Against Heresies 3.13.1 · Irenaeus of Lyons | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| Eph 3:3 | Miscellanies 1.28.179 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Eph 3:3 | Miscellanies 5.10.60 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Eph 3:3 | Refutation of All Heresies 7.26.7 · Hippolytus of Rome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 222–235 |
| Eph 3:3 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.1 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:3 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.3 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:3 | Commentary on Ephesians 3:2–4 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Ephesians 3:4
In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eph 3:4 | Miscellanies 1.28.179 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Eph 3:4 | Miscellanies 5.10.60 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Eph 3:4 | Commentary on Daniel 4.15 · Hippolytus of Rome | allusion, low confidence | ca. 202-204 |
| Eph 3:4–5 | Tractates on the Psalms 9.3 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Eph 3:4 | Tractates on the Psalms 138.30 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Eph 3:4 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.3 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:4 | Commentary on Ephesians 3:2–4 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Eph 3:4 | On Baptism, against the Donatists 5.16 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 400–401 |
Ephesians 3:5
which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
Ephesians 3:6
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:7
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eph 3:7 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.7 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:7 | Commentary on Ephesians 3:7 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Ephesians 3:8
Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eph 3:8 | Against Marcion 5.18 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | 207/208 (third edition, completed later) |
| Eph 3:8 | Homily on Isaiah 4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 235–250 |
| Eph 3:8 | Against Celsus 2.65 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248 |
| Eph 3:8 | Commentary on Matthew 13.29 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| Eph 3:8 | Acta Archelai (Latin) 38 · Hegemonius | quotation, medium confidence | early to mid 4th century (Greek original) |
| Eph 3:8 | Acta Archelai (Latin) 39 · Hegemonius | quotation, high confidence | early to mid 4th century (Greek original) |
| Eph 3:8 | Letter 6 · Ammonas | quotation, high confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| Eph 3:8–9 | Tractates on the Psalms 9.3 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Eph 3:8 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.7 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:8 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.9 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:8 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.15 · Marius Victorinus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:8 | Commentary on Ephesians 3:8 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Eph 3:8–10 | Question 47, section 2 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–384 |
| Eph 3:8 | Letter 47.3 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Eph 3:8 | Canons on the Letters of Paul 10 · Priscillian | allusion, high confidence | ca. 380–400 |
| Eph 3:8 | Exposition of Psalm 118 2.26.3 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Eph 3:8 | Against Jovinianus 1.9 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 393 |
| Eph 3:8 | Letters 12.5 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Eph 3:8 | Literal Commentary on Genesis 5.19 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 401–415 |
| Eph 3:8 | Against Felix the Manichaean 1.6 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, medium confidence | December 404 |
| Eph 3:8 | Homilies on the First Epistle of John 8.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 407 |
| Eph 3:8 | Apologetic Book 1.3 · Orosius | echo, low confidence | ca. 415–416 |
Ephesians 3:9
and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
Ephesians 3:10
His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
Ephesians 3:11
according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eph 3:11 | Miscellanies 1.17.85 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Eph 3:11 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.11 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:11 | Commentary on Ephesians 3:11–12 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Eph 3:11 | Literal Commentary on Genesis 5.19 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 401–415 |
Ephesians 3:12
In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eph 3:12 | Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.176 · Origen | echo, medium confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Eph 3:12 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.12 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:12 | Commentary on Ephesians 3:11–12 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Ephesians 3:13
So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eph 3:13 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.15 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:13 | Commentary on Ephesians 3:13 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Eph 3:13 | Letter 140.63 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Eph 3:13–16 | Sermon 165.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Eph 3:13 | Sermon 165.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Ephesians 3:14
... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eph 3:14–18 | Refutation of All Heresies 6.34.7 · Hippolytus of Rome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 222–235 |
| Eph 3:14 | On Prayer 31.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 233–234 |
| Eph 3:14 | Homilies on Exodus 1.2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Eph 3:14 | Homilies on Judges 2.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Eph 3:14 | Homilies on Numbers 2.2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Eph 3:14 | Commentary on Romans 10.39 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Eph 3:14–17 | Symposium 8.8 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd century |
| Eph 3:14 | Letter 4 · Ammonas | quotation, high confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| Eph 3:14–15 | Catechetical Lecture 7.5 · Cyril of Jerusalem | quotation, high confidence | ca. 350 |
| Eph 3:14 | Against Arius 1.2 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–362 |
| Eph 3:14 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.14 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:14 | Commentary on Ephesians 3:13 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Eph 3:14 | Letter 140.62 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Eph 3:14 | Letter 140.63 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Eph 3:14–16 | Letter 175.5 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Eph 3:14–19 | On the Catholic Way of Life and the Manichaean Way of Life 1.18 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387–389 |
| Eph 3:14 | Sermon 72.4 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Eph 3:14–18 | Sermon 165.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Eph 3:14 | Confessions 13.8 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Eph 3:14 | Exposition of the Right Faith 5 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | early 5th century (probably Theodoret) |
| Eph 3:14–21 | Book 1, chapter 24 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 440-450 |
| Eph 3:14–16 | Sermon on the Barbarian Time 2 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 437-450 |
| Eph 3:14–19 | Part 1, chapter 7 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 445-450 |
Ephesians 3:15
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
Ephesians 3:16
I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,
Ephesians 3:17
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 3:18
will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth
Ephesians 3:19
of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,
Ephesians 3:21
to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eph 3:21 | Against Heresies 1.3.1 · Irenaeus of Lyons | quotation, high confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| Eph 3:21 | Against Arius 1.2 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–362 |
| Eph 3:21 | Commentary on Ephesians 3.20 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Eph 3:21 | Commentary on Ephesians 3:20–21 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Eph 3:21 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 31.14.4 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374-377 |