


Ephesians 3:13
Bible Versions
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
So I ask you not to be discouraged by the troubles I endure on your behalf — it is all for your glory.
So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.
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2 Thessalonians 3:13
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. -
Colossians 1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: -
2 Corinthians 1:6
And whether we be afflicted, [it is] for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, [it is] for your consolation and salvation. -
Isaiah 40:30
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: -
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint. -
Ephesians 3:1
¶ For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, -
Philippians 1:12
¶ But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
In Ephesians 3:13, the Apostle Paul offers a profound encouragement to the Gentile believers in Ephesus, urging them not to be disheartened by his imprisonment and suffering. He frames his personal tribulations not as a cause for despair, but as a source of honor and affirmation for their faith.
Context
This verse comes after Paul's revelation of the "mystery of Christ," which is that Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of God's promise in Christ through the gospel (Ephesians 3:6). Paul, writing from prison, emphasizes his calling as the apostle to the Gentiles, for which he is suffering. His imprisonment could easily be misconstrued as a sign of God's disapproval or a weakness in the Gospel message. However, Paul reinterprets it, asserting that his afflictions are precisely "for you" – for their benefit and validation.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
Ephesians 3:13 offers timeless encouragement for believers facing challenges related to their faith. It reminds us that:
This verse encourages us to see suffering not as a setback, but as a potential pathway for God to display His power and bring honor to His people and His message.