Limitless Word
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Ephesians 3:4 · King James Version
Parallel translations
  • WEB by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
  • BSB In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
  • NKJV by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
  • NASB By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
  • NLT As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

By reading his words, the Ephesians can perceive Paul's insight into the mystery of Christ. It invites readers to grasp the revealed truth he has received.

Overview

Paul notes that his written explanation enables readers to understand 'my understanding in the mystery of Christ.' The mystery centers on Christ and the inclusion of the Gentiles. Paul writes so that the church may share the insight God gave him, not to exalt himself but to make the truth plain.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 14

  • 2 Cor 11:6But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
  • Col 4:3Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
  • 1 Cor 4:1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
  • 1 Cor 2:6–7Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
  • Col 2:2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
  • 1 Tim 3:9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
  • 1 Tim 3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
  • Eph 6:19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
  • Eph 1:9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
  • Luke 2:10–11And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
  • Matt 13:11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
  • Eph 5:32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
  • Luke 8:10And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
  • 1 Cor 13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (2)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Ephesians videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Ephesians 3:4YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on EphesiansMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Every spiritual blessing is 'in Christ,' the head over all things for the church, in whom Jew and Gentile are made one new man by his blood.

How Ephesians 3:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.