Efesus 4:2

4:2 with all humility and gentleness, ¹  with patience, bearing with ²  one another in love,

Efesus 3:8

3:8 To me – less than the least of all the saints ³  – this grace was given, ⁴  to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ

[4:2]  ¹ tn Or “meekness.” The word is often used in Hellenistic Greek of the merciful execution of justice on behalf of those who have no voice by those who are in a position of authority (Matt 11:29; 21:5).

[4:2]  ² tn Or “putting up with”; or “forbearing.”

[3:8]  ³ 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]  ⁴ 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).