Efesus 3:1-2
Konteks3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus 1 for the sake of you Gentiles – 3:2 if indeed 2 you have heard of the stewardship 3 of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
Efesus 3:8
Konteks3:8 To me – less than the least of all the saints 4 – this grace was given, 5 to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ
[3:1] 1 tc Several early and important witnesses, chiefly of the Western text (א* D* F G [365]), lack ᾿Ιησοῦ (Ihsou, “Jesus”) here, while most Alexandrian and Byzantine
[3:2] 2 sn If indeed. The author is not doubting whether his audience has heard, but is rather using provocative language (if indeed) to engage his audience in thinking about the magnificence of God’s grace. However, in English translation, the apodosis (“then”-clause) does not come until v. 13, leaving the protasis (“if”-clause) dangling. Eph 3:2-7 constitute one sentence in Greek.
[3:2] 3 tn Or “administration,” “dispensation,” “commission.”
[3:8] 4 sn In Pauline writings saints means any true believer. Thus for Paul to view himself as less than the least of all the saints is to view himself as the most unworthy object of Christ’s redemption.
[3:8] 5 sn The parallel phrases to proclaim and to enlighten which follow indicate why God’s grace was manifested to Paul. Grace was not something just to be received, but to be shared with others (cf. Acts 13:47).