Ephesians 3 · Verse 12

Ephesians 3:12

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Ephesians 3:12, King James Version

Ephesians 3:12 in other translations

BSBIn Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.
WEBIn him we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.
ASVin whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.
YLTin whom we have the freedom and the access in confidence through the faith of him,
DARBYin whom we have boldness and access in confidence by the faith of him.
BBEBy whom we come near to God without fear through faith in him.
WebsterIn whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him,

What does Ephesians 3:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. Translate, "our boldness and our access (Ep 2:18) in confidence through our faith in Him." Alford quotes as an instance, Ro 8:38, &c. "THE access" (Greek) implies the formal introduction into the presence of a monarch.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 12. We have boldness. The word here used--παρρησιαν--means, properly, boldness of speaking, 2Cor 7:4, Jn 7:26, Acts 4:13,29,31. Here it seems to mean, "freedom of utterance;" and the idea is, that we may come to God now in prayer with confidence through the Lord Jesus. See Heb 4:16.

And access. Eph 2:18.

By the faith of him. By faith in him. The sense is, that we may now come confidently and boldly to the throne of grace for mercy in the name of the Redeemer. Boldness is not rashness, and faith is not presumption; but we may come without hesitating, and with an assurance that our prayers will be heard.

(d) "boldness" Heb 4:16 (*) "boldness" "freedom of speech"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 12 In whom we have boldness - By whom we, Gentiles, have την παρῥησιαν, this liberty of speech; so that we may say any thing by prayer and supplication, and την προσαγωγην, this introduction, into the Divine presence by faith in Christ. It is only in his name we can pray to God, and it is only by him that we can come to God; none can give us an introduction but Christ Jesus, and it is only for his sake that God will either hear or save us. It is on the ground of such scriptures as these that we conclude all our prayers in the name, and for the sake, of Jesus Christ our Lord.

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 3:12 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.

ἐνeninG1722
ᾧhōwhomG3739
ἔχομενechomenwe haveG2192
τὴνtēn<the>G3588
παρρησίανparrēsianboldnessG3954
καὶkaiandG2532
προσαγωγὴνprosagōgēnaccessG4318
ἐνeninG1722
πεποιθήσειpepoithēseiconfidenceG4006
διὰdiathroughG1223
τῆςtēstheG3588
πίστεωςpisteōsfaithG4102
αὐτοῦ.autoufrom Him.G846

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

Cross references for Ephesians 3:12

  • Ephesians 2:18

    For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

  • Romans 5:2

    By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

  • Hebrews 4:14-16

    Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

  • Hebrews 10:19-22

    Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

  • John 14:6

    Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:4

    And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2:18; Joh 14:6; Ro 5:2; Heb 4:14-16; 10:19-22

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

Context

  • Ephesians 3:11

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

  • Ephesians 3:12

    In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

  • Ephesians 3:13

    Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

Read all of Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		En el cual tenemos seguridad y entrada con confianza por la fe de él.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		en qui nous avons hardiesse et accès en confiance, par la foi en lui.
German
Elberfelder 1871		in welchem wir die Freimütigkeit haben und den Zugang in Zuversicht durch den Glauben an ihn.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		in quo habemus fiduciam, et accessum in confidentia per fidem ejus.