Ephesians 3:11

Modern

…according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Traditional

According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Literal

…according to the purpose of the ages, which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Latin

…secundum præfinitionem sæculorum, quam fecit in Christo Jesu Domino nostro:

Greek

English

…according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul pauses his thought in 3:1 to talk about his role in God's plan. When Paul first converted, God gave him the special task of sharing his grace with the gentiles (see Acts 9:15–16; 22:14–15, 21; 26:17–18; Romans 1:5; 11:13–14; 15:15–18; Galatians 1:15–16; 2:7–9; Colossians 1:25–27; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 4:17).

Paul explains his special job in God's plan that has existed forever. His role is to announce God's grace to gentiles (non-Jewish people).

Theme notes and profiles

2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
Ephesians 1:11
In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,
Ephesians 1:4
For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love
Romans 9:11
Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,
Isaiah 46:10–11
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
Isaiah 14:24–27
The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand.
Ephesians 1:9
And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ
Romans 8:28–30
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
Jeremiah 51:29
The earth quakes and writhes because the LORD’s intentions against Babylon stand: to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world