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NASB | Ephesians 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 3:1 For this reason [because I preach that you and believing Jews are joint heirs] I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles-- |
Bible Question: Why does Paul say he is "the prisoner of Christ Jesus" when he is a prisoner of Rome? |
Bible Answer: Hello Beverly, The Bible Knowledge Commentary gives a fairly concise answer: "The words 'I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles', refer to Paul’s imprisonment in Rome because of his service for Christ (cf. 4:1; 2 Tim. 1:8; Phile. 1, 9), and more particularly because of his ministry as the apostle to the Gentiles (2 Tim. 1:11-12). Because of his faithfulness to the stewardship God had given him among the Gentiles (Eph. 3:2) bitter Jewish opposition arose against him. This resulted in his being attacked in Jerusalem and put on trial in Caesarea and Rome." [John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary] Wuest adds, "He is the prisoner of “the Christ Jesus,” the definite article appearing before Christ. Paul’s thought is, “the prisoner of the Messiah, who is now called Jesus.” The words are in the genitive case, probably, the genitive of originating cause. Paul was one made prisoner by Christ Jesus (Expositors). He is a prisoner “on behalf of you the Gentiles.” The same authority explains, “Paul was called specially to be a minister of Christ to the Gentiles (Acts 21:21, 28 ; 22:21), and his preaching Christ as for the Gentiles equally with the Jews provoked that enmity of the Jews which led to his imprisonment. It was thus for the Gentiles that he was a prisoner; and there is probably also the further thought in the huper humon (on behalf of you) that Paul’s imprisonment was to be for their good, helpful to their Christian life, for the idea with which the paragraph closes is that his afflictions were their glory (v. 13)." I hope this helps, BradK |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Eph 3:1 | Author | ||
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mel dillon | ||
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Note | ||
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greatone | ||
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Beverly Runion | ||
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BradK |