3:1 For {1} this cause I Paul, {a} the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
(1) He maintains his apostleship against the offence of the cross, upon which he also makes an argument to confirm himself, affirming that he was not only appointed an apostle by the mercy of God, but was also appointed particularly to the Gentiles. And this was to call them everywhere to salvation, because God had so determined this from the beginning, although he deferred a great while the manifestation of his counsel.
(a) These words, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, are taken passively, that is to say, I, Paul, am cast into prison for maintaining the glory of Christ.
3:1 Paul's Office As Apostle to the Gentiles
SUMMARY OF EPHESIANS 3:
The Hidden Mystery Revealed to the Apostle. The Gentiles to Be Fellow-Heirs. Paul's Mission to the Gentiles. The Prayer in Behalf of Gentile Christians. That They May Know the Surpassing Love of Christ.
For this cause. This refers to the glorious work of the cross in making peace and bringing the Gentiles nigh (Eph 2:17).
I, Paul. The verb of which I, Paul, is the subject, is not given until Eph 3:14 is reached. There Paul repeats the first clause of this verse, and then gives the verb. The intervening verses are parenthetic.
The prisoner of Jesus Christ. A prisoner at Rome when this was written, on account of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
For you Gentiles. It was the hatred of the Jews towards him, on account of his apostleship to the Gentiles, which caused his seizure. See Ac 21:33 28:17,20.
3:1 For this cause - That ye may be so built together, I am a prisoner for you gentiles - For your advantage, and for asserting your right to these blessings. This it was which so enraged the Jews against him.
3:1-7 For having preached the doctrine of truth, the apostle was a prisoner, but a prisoner of Jesus Christ; the object of special protection and care, while thus suffering for him. All the gracious offers of the gospel, and the joyful tidings it contains, come from the rich grace of God; it is the great means by which the Spirit works grace in the souls of men. The mystery, is that secret, hidden purpose of salvation through Christ. This was not so fully and clearly shown in the ages before Christ, as unto the prophets of the New Testament. This was the great truth made known to the apostle, that God would call the Gentiles to salvation by faith in Christ. An effectual working of Divine power attends the gifts of Divine grace. As God appointed Paul to the office, so he qualified him for it.
