Ephesians 3:12 (ASV)

Passage

in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.

Nearby Context

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.

Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "faith", "boldness", "access", "confidence", and "through". It is saying that salvation is received as God's gift through faith, so boasting is pushed out by the wording itself.

The nearby context moves from verse 11's "according to the eternal purpose which he..." into verse 13's "Wherefore I ask that ye may not...", so "faith" and "boldness" 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 "faith" and "boldness" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.