Ephesian 3, Free Gift to the Gentiles

Paul has just finished writing about God's welcome to Gentiles, making them part of His "building", the Kingdom of God.

Ephesians 3:1, Prisoner for the Gentiles
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--

This is one of two places in this letter where Paul references being a prisoner, presumably in Rome, as described by Luke at the end of the book of Acts.  

Paul's ministry, as described in the book of Acts, had become a ministry to the Gentiles (non-Jews) and so it is for there sake that he is now in prison.

Ephesians 3:2-6, Gentiles heirs of the kingdom, with Israel!
Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,  that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Although a devout Jew, Paul has now seen that God has opened up salvation and the kingdom of God to the Gentiles, allowing them full standing in this new world.

Ephesians 3:7-12, Paul's mission -- preach to the Gentiles

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Paul's life mission is to reach out to the Gentiles. Because of Christ, we Gentiles can go to God in confidence, without guilt or fear.

Ephesians 3:13, I am not discouraged!
I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Circling back to the initial statement in this section, Paul assures the readers of his letter that it is OK that he is in chains.

Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul's prayer for the Gentiles
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

The NIV footnotes point out that in verse 14 the Greek words for "father" and "family" have the same derivation: pater and patria.

This is the second prayer that appears in the letter.  It is similar in some ways to the prayer in chapter 1, asking that the readers gain in knowledge and understanding of Jesus and then that that knowledge lead to consistency in faith and love.