Ephesians 3:1-21

Reasons for renewing the Prayer for Wisdom

1-13. A digression, which, however, could not be spared. As in Ephesians 1:15, he begins to speak of himself, and this time he explains his unique interest in the conversion of the Gentiles. 'Many of his readers had not seen him, but they must have heard of the special work assigned to him by God, of making known to all the mystery of the ages, so that even angelic powers learn through the Church the manysidedness of the Divine counsels.'

1. 'It was worth while becoming a prisoner in such a cause' (Philemon 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:8).

2. Again the sentence is broken: cp. Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:4; Ephesians 4:5. His being a prisoner on their behalf suggests a fresh train of thought. If he had been writing to Ephesians only, he could not have said 'if.' Ephesians had heard himself; cp. Colossians 1:25.