Ephesians 3:11 (ASV)

Passage

according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Nearby Context

Ephesians 3:9 and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;

Ephesians 3:10 to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly [places] might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Ephesians 3:11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.

Ephesians 3:13 Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "purpose", "eternal", "purposed", "christ", "jesus", and "lord". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "purpose" and "eternal", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 10's "to the intent that now unto the..." into verse 12's "in whom we have boldness and access...", so "purpose" and "eternal" belong inside that flow. In Ephesians context, the local focus is grace, union with Christ, the church, and new creation.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "purpose" and "eternal" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.