Ephesians 3:8 kjv

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Ephesians 3:8 nkjv

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Ephesians 3:8 niv

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,

Ephesians 3:8 esv

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Ephesians 3:8 nlt

Though I am the least deserving of all God's people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.

Ephesians 3 verses

Ephesians 3 8 Meaning

In Ephesians 3:8, the Apostle Paul declares that despite his profound personal unworthiness, the unmerited favor of God has been uniquely extended to him. This divine favor has specifically empowered and commissioned him to proclaim the Gospel—the good news of salvation—to the non-Jewish nations, the Gentiles. The content of his message is characterized as the "unsearchable riches of Christ," emphasizing the immeasurable, incomprehensible, and inexhaustible blessings, wisdom, and benefits found solely in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3 8 Context

Ephesians Chapter 3 delves deeper into the profound "mystery of Christ" first introduced in Chapter 1. Specifically, it reveals that the long-hidden secret of God's redemptive plan is the full inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant community of God, on equal standing with believing Jews, all through Christ Jesus. This chapter primarily concerns Paul's apostolic commission as the "apostle to the Gentiles" (Rom 11:13). He highlights his suffering for their sake (v. 1), recounts the revelation of this mystery (v. 3-6), and then in verse 8, expresses his deep humility and awe that he, of all people, was chosen to preach this glorious truth. Historically, first-century Judaism generally viewed Gentiles as outside the covenant and unclean. Paul's message directly challenged this deeply ingrained ethnocentric barrier, emphasizing that through Christ, the dividing wall (as described in Eph 2) has been broken down, making both Jew and Gentile "fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (Eph 3:6). This verse serves as a personal affirmation of Paul's specific calling within this grand theological unfolding.

Ephesians 3 8 Word analysis

• Unto me / To me: This emphatic opening immediately centers the verse on Paul's personal experience and commissioning. It underscores the unique nature of God's direct call upon him.
• who am less than the least / though I am the very least: Greek: elachistoteros (ἐλαχιστότερος). This is a unique and emphatic comparative/superlative formed from elachistos (least, smallest). It's a "double superlative," indicating Paul's profound and radical humility. This self-assessment is rooted in his past as a persecutor of the Church (1 Cor 15:9) and murderer of believers (Acts 8:1; 26:10-11), recognizing the vast disparity between his former actions and God's immense grace toward him. It signifies an intense personal unworthiness.
• of all saints: This phrase expands the scope of Paul's humility, contrasting his self-perception with the broader body of God's redeemed people. He considers himself not merely least among apostles, but least among all who are set apart for God.
• is this grace given / this grace was given: Greek: charis (χάρις), meaning unmerited favor or divine enablement. This highlights that Paul's ministry and commission were not earned but freely bestowed by God. It is the empowering grace that allows him to fulfill such a weighty task, despite his unworthiness.
• that I should preach / to preach: Greek: euangelizō (εὐαγγελίζω), meaning to evangelize, to proclaim good news. This term defines the primary task entrusted to Paul—to deliver the Gospel message. It signifies a public and authoritative declaration.
• among the Gentiles: Greek: tois ethnesin (τοῖς ἔθνεσιν), meaning to the nations, referring to non-Jews. This specifies the unique target audience of Paul's apostleship, setting him apart as the primary apostle for those outside the Jewish covenant. This emphasis underlines the universal scope of the Gospel message.
• the unsearchable riches: Greek: anexichniasta (ἀνεξιχνίαστα), literally "not able to be tracked out" or "untraceable," thus "uninvestigable," "incomprehensible," "boundless," "inexhaustible." It conveys a depth and breadth that cannot be fully explored or measured by human intellect. Ploutos (πλοῦτος), meaning "riches" or "abundance." This denotes a wealth of spiritual blessings and divine truths that are vast beyond human comprehension.
• of Christ: This specifies the source, substance, and owner of these immeasurable riches. All the blessings, wisdom, mercy, grace, peace, forgiveness, and redemption are found in Christ alone. He is the ultimate treasure and the sum of God's blessings to humanity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints...": This opening powerfully establishes the paradox of God's grace. It is an expression of deep humility, revealing that God often chooses the unlikely, those who feel most undeserving, for His greatest purposes. This principle counters human ideas of merit.
• "...this grace was given, to preach...": This phrase connects divine enablement (grace) directly to Paul's ministry (preaching). His ability and authority come solely from God's undeserved favor, not from any personal qualifications. It underscores that all true Gospel ministry is grace-driven.
• "...to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ": This defines the unique recipient of the message (Gentiles) and the immeasurable content of the message itself (the limitless spiritual blessings and profound nature of Christ). The message for the world is Christ Himself, in all His inexhaustible fullness. It encompasses salvation, reconciliation, wisdom, eternal life, and every spiritual blessing.

Ephesians 3 8 Bonus section

• The profound humility expressed by Paul here (elachistoteros) is foundational to authentic Christian leadership. It highlights that one's personal failings and past opposition to God can be a catalyst for deeper understanding of grace and more fervent service, rather than a disqualification.
• This verse perfectly encapsulates the core theme of Ephesians 2 and 3: the "mystery" that the Gentiles are made fellow heirs with Israel through the cross of Christ, united in one body. Paul is the chosen vehicle for revealing and proclaiming this grand truth.
• The concept of "unsearchable riches" extends beyond mere material wealth. It includes the boundless wisdom, grace, love, power, and mercy that characterize Christ and His work. It implies an ongoing revelation, a never-ending exploration of the depths of God's character and provision in Christ.
• Paul's personal testimony in this verse serves as a pattern: understanding one's profound unworthiness alongside God's magnificent grace should lead to a fervent desire to proclaim Christ's inexhaustible worth to others.

Ephesians 3 8 Commentary

Ephesians 3:8 serves as a pivotal statement of Paul's profound understanding of his apostolic identity and mission. His self-designation as "less than the least of all saints" is not false modesty but a genuine recognition of his past persecution of believers and God's incredible, sovereign choice to redeem and commission him. This paradox underscores a fundamental principle of God's economy: He does not choose the outwardly strong or deserving by human standards, but often the weak and those profoundly aware of their unworthiness, precisely so that the power and glory belong to Him alone (2 Cor 12:9-10).

The grace given to Paul was not merely forgiveness, but a divine empowerment and appointment to a specific task: to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. This commission was revolutionary in the first-century context, dismantling centuries of ethnic and religious segregation. The content of his message—the "unsearchable riches of Christ"—emphasizes that the Gospel is not merely a moral code or a philosophical system, but the boundless Person of Christ Himself. These "riches" include all that Christ is and all He provides: forgiveness of sins, redemption, reconciliation with God, the wisdom and knowledge of God, spiritual blessings, and eternal life. They are "unsearchable" because they are infinite and inexhaustible, always revealing more depth and wonder as one grows in understanding of Christ. Paul’s mission, therefore, was to introduce a lost world to an infinite and all-sufficient Savior, revealing a plan of inclusion and blessing far beyond human expectation. This truth encourages all believers today that God uses humble instruments and that the salvation and blessings in Christ are boundless and available to all.