Ephesians 3 · Verse 10

Ephesians 3:10

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Ephesians 3:10, King James Version

Ephesians 3:10 in other translations

BSB	His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
WEB	to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,
ASV	to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,
YLT	that there might be made known now to the principalities and the authorities in the heavenly places, through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God,
DARBY	in order that now to the principalities and authorities in the heavenlies might be made known through the assembly the all-various wisdom of God,
BBE	So that now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavens might be made clear through the church the wide-shining wisdom of God,
Webster	To the intent that now to the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

What does Ephesians 3:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

10. The design of God in giving Paul grace to proclaim to the Gentiles the mystery of salvation heretofore hidden. now--first: opposed to "hidden from the beginning of the world" (Ep 3:5). unto the principalities and--Greek adds "the" powers--unto the various orders of good angels primarily, as these dwell "in the heavenly places" in the highest sense; "known" to their adoring joy (1Ti 3:16; 1Pe 1:12). Secondarily, God's wisdom in redemption is made known to evil angels, who dwell "in heavenly places" in a lower sense, namely, the air (compare Ep 2:2 with Ep 6:12); "known" to their dismay (1Co 15:24; Col 2:15). might be known--Translate, "may be known." by the church--"by means of," or "through the Church," which is the "theater" for the display of God's manifold wisdom (Lu 15:10; 1Co 4:9): "a spectacle (Greek, 'theater') to angels." Hence, angels are but our "fellow servants" (Re 19:10). manifold wisdom--though essentially one, as Christ is one, yet varying the economy in respect to places, times, and persons (Is 55:8, 9; He 1:1). Compare 1Pe 4:10, "stewards of the manifold grace of God." Man cannot understand aright its single acts till he can survey them as a connected whole (1Co 13:12). The call of the Church is no haphazard remedy, or afterthought, but part of the eternal scheme, which, amidst manifold varieties of dispensation, is one in its end.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 10. To the intent. Greek, "that"--ινα. The sense is, that it was with this design, or that this was the purpose for which all things were made. One grand purpose in the creation of the universe was, that the wisdom of God might be clearly shown by the church. It was not enough to evince it by the formation of the sun, the stars, the earth, the seas, the mountains, the floods. It was not enough to show it by the creation of intelligent beings, the formation of immortal minds on earth, and the various ranks of the angelic world. There were views of the Divine character which could be obtained only in connexion with the redemption of the world. Hence the universe was created, and man was made upon the earth, not merely to illustrate the Divine perfections in the work of creation, but in a still more illustrious manner in the work of redemption. And hence the deep interest which the angelic hosts have ever evinced in the salvation of man.

That now. The word now--νυν--is wanting in the Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic; and is omitted by many of the Fathers. See Koppe. If it is to be retained, it means that this display is to be made under the gospel. "Now, since the Messiah is come; now, under the Christian dispensation, this revelation is to be made to distant worlds."

Unto the principalities and powers. To the angelic hosts--the intelligent beings that surround the throne of God. Eph 1:21.

By the Church. By the incarnation of the Redeemer to save it; by the mercy shown to it; by the wise arrangement made to recover his people from the fall; and by all the graces and beauties which that redeemed church will evince on earth and in heaven.

The manifold wisdom of God. Literally, much-variegated. It means the greatly-diversified wisdom. It does not mean merely that there was great wisdom, but that the wisdom shown was diversified and varied; like changing, variegated colours. There was a "beautiful and well-ordered variety of dispensations" towards that church, all of which tended to evince the wisdom of God. It is like a landscape, or a panoramic view passing before the mind, with a great variety of phases and aspects, all tending to excite admiration. In the redemption of the church, there is not merely one form or one phase of wisdom. It is wisdom, ever-varying, ever-beautiful. There was wisdom manifested when the plan was formed; wisdom in the selection of the Redeemer; wisdom in the incarnation; wisdom in the atonement; wisdom in the means of renewing the heart, and sanctifying the soul; wisdom in the various dispensations by which the Church is sanctified, guided, and brought to glory. The wisdom thus shown is like the ever-varying beauty of changing clouds, when the sun is reflected on them at evening. Each aspect is full of beauty. One bright cloud differs in appearance from others; yet all tend to fill the mind with elevated views of God.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 10 That now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places - Who are these principalities and powers? Some think evil angels are intended, because they are thus denominated, Eph 6:12. Others think good angels are meant; for as these heavenly beings are curious to investigate the wondrous economy of the Gospel, though they are not its immediate objects, see 1Pet 1:12, it is quite consistent with the goodness of God to give them that satisfaction which they require. And in this discovery of the Gospel plan of salvation, which reconciles things in heaven and things on earth - both men and angels, these pure spirits are greatly interested, and their praises to the Divine Being rendered much more abundant. Others imagine the Jewish rulers and rabbins are intended, particularly those of them who were converted to Christianity, and who had now learned from the preaching of the Gospel what, as Jews, they could never have known. I have had several opportunities of showing that this sort of phraseology is frequent among the Jews, and indeed not seldom used in the New Testament. Dr. Macknight, whose mode of arguing against this opinion is not well chosen, supposes that "the different orders of angels in heaven are intended, whose knowledge of God's dispensations must be as gradual as the dispensations themselves; consequently their knowledge of the manifold wisdom of God must have been greatly increased by the constitution of the Christian Church." Of this there can be no doubt, whether the terms in the text refer to them or not. By the Church - That is, by the Christians and by the wonderful things done in the Church; and by the apostles, who were its pastors. The manifold wisdom of God - Ἡ πολυποικιλος σοφια· That multifarious and greatly diversified wisdom of God; laying great and infinite plans, and accomplishing them by endless means, through the whole lapse of ages; making every occurrence subservient to the purposes of his infinite mercy and goodness. God's gracious design to save a lost world by Jesus Christ, could not be defeated by any cunning skill or malice of man or devils: whatever hinderances are thrown in the way, his wisdom and power can remove; and his infinite wisdom can never want ways or means to effect its gracious designs.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 3:8-12

Those whom God advances to honourable employments, he makes low in their own eyes; and where God gives grace to be humble, there he gives all other needful grace. How highly he speaks of Jesus Christ; the unsearchable riches of Christ! Though many are not enriched with these riches; yet how great a favour to have them preached among us, and to have an offer of them! And if we are not enriched with them it is our own…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 3:8-12 →

Ephesians 3:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἵναinaso thatG2443

γνωρισθῇgnōristhēamay be made knownG1107

νῦνnunnowG3568

ταῖςtaisto theG3588

ἀρχαῖςarchaisrulersG746

καὶkaiandG2532

ταῖςtaisto theG3588

ἐξουσίαιςexousiaisauthoritiesG1849

ἐνeninG1722

τοῖςtoistheG3588

ἐπουρανίοιςepouranioisheavenly realmsG2032

διὰdiathroughG1223

τῆςtēstheG3588

ἐκκλησίαςekklēsiaschurchG1577

ἡhētheG3588

πολυποίκιλοςpolupoikilosmanifoldG4182

σοφίαsophiawisdomG4678

τοῦtou<the>G3588

θεοῦtheouof GodG2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 3:10

1 Peter 1:12
Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
1 Corinthians 2:7
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Romans 11:33
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Ephesians 1:21
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
1 Corinthians 1:24
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1 Peter 3:22
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Matthew 11:25-27
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Revelation 5:9-14
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. …
Psalms 104:24
O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

intent.
Ex 25:17-22; Ps 103:20; 148:1,2; Isa 6:2-4; Eze 3:12; 1Pe 1:12
Re 5:9-14
principalities.
1:21; Ro 8:38; Col 1:16; 1Pe 3:22
in.
1:3
manifold.
1:8; Ps 104:24; Mt 11:25-27; Ro 11:33; 1Co 1:24; 2:7; 1Ti 3:16
Re 5:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Ephesians 3:9
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 3:10
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Ephesians 3:11
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Read all of Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3:10 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Para que la multiforme sabiduría de Dios sea ahora notificada por la iglesia á los principados y potestades en los cielos,
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	afin que la sagesse si diverse de Dieu soit maintenant donnée à connaître aux principautés et aux autorités dans les lieux célestes, par l’assemblée,
German Elberfelder 1871	auf daß jetzt den Fürstentümern und den Gewalten in den himmlischen Örtern durch die Versammlung kundgetan werde die gar mannigfaltige Weisheit Gottes,
Latin Clementine Vulgate	ut innotescat principatibus et potestatibus in cælestibus per Ecclesiam, multiformis sapientia Dei,