Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul emphasizes that his apostleship wasn't a matter of personal achievement or even just a received gift, but was actively empowered by God's working force. This "in-working of His power" transformed him and made the Gospel effective through his ministry.
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining his divine appointment as an apostle to the Gentiles, emphasizing that this role wasn't earned but a gift from God's grace. He grounds his ministry not in his own ability but in God's powerful work, which transformed him from a persecutor to a herald of the gospel. This declaration sets the stage for his deeper explanation of the mystery of God's plan to unite all people in Christ.
Ever feel like your past disqualifies you from God's plan? Paul grapples with this, but reframes his calling not by his own merit, but by God's sovereign grace.
Paul emphasizes that his role as a minister of the gospel wasn't earned or sought after by him. It was a divine appointment, a 'gift of God’s grace.' This wasn't just a passive reception; it was enabled by the 'working of His power.'
Grace as the Source
Power as the Enabler
Paul highlights two key elements of his ministry: a bestowed gift and an active power. What's the relationship between them?
The verse presents a beautiful paradox: Paul's ministry is both a passive reception of a gift and an active demonstration of divine power.
The Gifted Role
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The In-working Power
Understand the original words
diakonos · Greek Noun
One who serves, specifically an appointed servant of the gospel or the church, emphasizing humble service under the authority of Christ.
charis · Greek Noun
The unmerited, gracious favor of God, whereby He bestows blessings and salvation upon those who deserve judgment.
Paul's declaration of being made a minister by God's grace and power directly counters his former identity as a persecutor, highlighting the radical, divinely-powered transformation central to the gospel he preached.
c. AD 33-35— this verse
Saul's Conversion
Saul of Tarsus, a zealous persecutor of the early Christian church, has a dramatic encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus. This event radically transforms him into a fervent believer and apostle.
c. AD 35-47
Paul's Early Ministry and Training
Following his conversion, Paul spends time in Arabia and Damascus, then journeys to Jerusalem and Tarsus. During this period, he receives divine instruction and begins to grasp the scope of his calling to the Gentiles.
c. AD 46-48
First Missionary Journey
Barnabas and Paul travel to Cyprus and throughout southern Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), preaching the gospel to both Jewish and Gentile communities and establishing churches.
c. AD 50
Jerusalem Council
A pivotal council addresses whether Gentile converts must follow Jewish Law. The apostles, including Paul, affirm that salvation comes by grace through faith, not by adherence to the Law, solidifying Paul's Gentile mission.
c. AD 50-52
Second Missionary Journey
Paul, accompanied by Silas and later Timothy, travels extensively through Asia Minor and into Greece, strengthening churches and facing opposition. He establishes significant communities in Corinth and Thessalonica.
c. AD 52-56
Third Missionary Journey
Paul spends a lengthy period in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor, confronting false teachings and powerfully advancing the gospel. He continues to oversee and encourage churches throughout the region.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Paul is imprisoned in Rome, awaiting trial. From his confinement, he continues to write letters to various churches, including Ephesians, offering profound theological insights and encouragement.
Paul reflects on his unworthiness and how God's grace and power transformed him into an apostle, mirroring the theme of God's power working through a gifted minister.
Galatians 1:15-16This passage highlights Paul's direct commissioning by God and the revelation of His Son in him, emphasizing that his ministry was not from human authority but from divine enablement, similar to the 'gift of God's grace' mentioned in Ephesians.
Colossians 1:25-29Paul describes his ministry as a stewardship entrusted to him by God, involving a spiritual struggle and God's power working within him to present everyone mature in Christ. This parallels the idea of being made a minister by God's 'effectual working of His power'.
2 Corinthians 4:7This verse states, 'We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this extremely great power comes from God, not from us,' which directly supports the concept of God's power working through humble human vessels like Paul.
cambridgeEphesians 3:7: "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power."
7 . a minister ] Diâconos , a worker, helper. Cp. Colossians 1:23 . The word implies activity and subordination.—“I” here is not emphatic. according to the gift , &c.] See above on Ephesians 3:2 . The “gift” includes the commission and the inspiration. His “ministry,” both in field and in effect, was “according to” this great gift. given ] I.e. (by the b…
vincentEphesians 3:7: "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power."
Gift of the graceThe gift in which the grace of God consisted, the apostleship to the Gentiles.By the effectual working of His power (κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ)Rev., better, according to the working, etc. The gift was bestowed in accordance with that efficiency which could transform Saul the persecutor into Paul the apostle to the Gen…
Paul emphasizes that his apostleship wasn't a matter of personal achievement or even just a received gift, but was actively empowered by God's working force. This "in-working of His power" transformed him and made the Gospel effective through his ministry.
Paul is explaining his divine appointment as an apostle to the Gentiles, emphasizing that this role wasn't earned but a gift from God's grace. He grounds his ministry not in his own ability but in God's powerful work, which transformed him from a persecutor to a herald of the gospel. This declaration sets the stage for his deeper explanation of the mystery of God's plan to unite all people in Christ.
Paul is explaining his divine appointment as an apostle to the Gentiles, emphasizing that this role wasn't earned but a gift from God's grace. He grounds his ministry not in his own ability but in God's powerful work, which transformed him from a persecutor to a herald of the gospel. This declaration sets the stage for his deeper explanation of the mystery of God's plan to unite all people in Christ.
"Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power." — Paul emphasizes that his apostleship wasn't a matter of personal achievement or even just a received gift, but was actively empowered by God's working force. This "in-working of His power" transforme…
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Last reviewed October 2026