Reading for February 5th

Read Ephesians 3.1-21
In 3.1-21: Paul's imprisonment and ministry.
In verse 1: The prayer (vv. 1,14-21) is interrupted by vv. 2-13 (see Col 1.23-27) clarifying Paul's work on behalf of gentiles.
On Paul as a prisoner, see 2 Cor 6.5; 11.23; Philem 1.9; Phil 1.13-14.
In verse 2: Commission, a management or stewardship position.
In verse 3: As I wrote above, uncertain, but possibly the mission to the gentiles (2.11-12) or Christ's revelation (1.9-10).
In verse 10: The church manifests the wisdom of God's plan of reconciliation.
In verses 14-21: the prayer resumes in a single sentence (vv. 14-19 and closes with a doxology (vv. 20-21).
In verse 14: A play on father ("patera") and family ("patria").
In verses 16-19: The goal is the fullness of God by way of the love of Christ.
In verses 20-21: The doxology recalls the emphasis on power and abundance (1.19-20; 2.7).
Comments or Questions..