Ephesians 3:2

Modern

Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,

Traditional

If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

Literal

If indeed you heard of the administration of the grace of God having been given to me for you,

Latin

…si tamen audistis dispensationem gratiæ Dei, quæ data est mihi in vobis:

Greek

English

Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,

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

1 Timothy 1:11
…that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
Colossians 1:25–27
I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,
2 Timothy 1:11
…to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.
Galatians 1:15–16
But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased
Romans 1:5
Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.
Ephesians 4:7
Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:1
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Ephesians 1:10
…as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.
Galatians 1:13
For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.
1 Corinthians 9:17–22
If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.
Romans 15:15–16
However, I have written you a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me
Acts 9:15
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.