Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles

1For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of the Messiaha Jesus for the sake of you gentiles. 2Surely you have heard about the responsibility of administering God’s grace that was given to me on your behalf, 3and how this secret was made known to me through a revelation, just as I wrote about briefly in the past. 4By reading this, you will be able to grasp my understanding of the secret about the Messiah,b 5 which in previous generations was not made known to human beingsc as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’sd holy apostles and prophets. This is that secret:e 6The gentiles are heirs-in-common, members-in-common of the body, and common participants in what was promisedf by the Messiahg Jesus through the gospel.

7I have become a servant of this gospelh according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given so that I might proclaim to the gentiles the immeasurable wealth of the Messiahi 9and help everyone see how this secret that has been at work was hidden for ages by God, who created all things. 10He did thisj so that now, through the church, the wisdom of God in all its variety might be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm 11in keeping with the eternal purpose that Godk carried out through the Messiahl Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and confident access through his faithfulness.m 13So then, I ask you not to become discouraged because of my troubles on your behalf, which work toward your glory.

To Know the Messiah’s Love

14This is the reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,n 15from whom every familyo in heaven and on earth receives its name. 16I prayp that he would give you, according to his glorious riches, strength in your inner being and power through his Spirit, 17and that the Messiahq would make his home in your hearts through faith. Then, having been rooted and grounded in love, 18you will be able to understand, along with all the saints, what is wide, long, high, and deep— 19that is, you will know the love of the Messiahr — which transcends knowledge, and will be filled with all the fullness of God.

20Now to the one who can do infinitely more than all we can ask or imagine according to the power that is working amongs us— 21to him be glory in the church and in the Messiaht Jesus to all generations, forever and ever! Amen.