Ephesians 3:11 (KJV)

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 fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by 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 with confidence by the faith of him.

Ephesians 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is 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.