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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ephesians/3-11.htm" title="Ephesians 3:11">◄</a> Ephesians 3:12 <a href="/ephesians/3-13.htm" title="Ephesians 3:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ephesians/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ephesians/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ephesians/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ephesians/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ephesians/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/ephesians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and access in confidence, by faith in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ephesians/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ephesians/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ephesians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ephesians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ephesians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ephesians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ephesians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him [that is, our faith gives us sufficient courage to freely and openly approach God through Christ].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ephesians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ephesians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In Him we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ephesians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ephesians/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Christ now gives us courage and confidence, so we can come to God by faith. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ephesians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ephesians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />We can go to God with bold confidence through faith in Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ephesians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />In union with Christ and through our faith in him we have the boldness to go into God's presence with all confidence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ephesians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and confident access through his faithfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ephesians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ephesians/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and confident access to God because of Christ's faithfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ephesians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ephesians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/ephesians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />in whom we have this bold and confident access through our faith in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ephesians/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />In him we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ephesians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />in whom we have the freedom and the access in confidence through the faith of Him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/ephesians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and access in confidence, by faith in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ephesians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> in whom we have the freedom and the access in confidence through the faith of him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ephesians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />In whom we have freedom of speech and access with confidence by his faith.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ephesians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ephesians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />In him we trust, and so we approach with confidence, through his faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ephesians/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ephesians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ephesians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />In whom we have freedom of access with confidence in his faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/ephesians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Him by whom we have boldness and access in the confidence of his faithfulness.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/ephesians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and access with confidence, through our faith in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/ephesians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through the faith of him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/ephesians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />in whom we have boldness and access with confidence to God by the faith of him.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/ephesians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />by whom we have freedom of access to God, with confidence, by faith in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/ephesians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />in whom we have this bold and confident access through our faith in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/ephesians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence through the faith of Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/ephesians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />by whom we have freedom and access with confidence through faith in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ephesians/3-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AfeSHen3sAQ?start=489" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ephesians/3.htm">The Mystery of the Gospel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">In</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hō (RelPro-DMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">Him</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">and through</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pisteōs (N-GFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faith</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">in Him</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echomen (V-PIA-1P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">we may</a> <a href="/greek/4318.htm" title="4318: prosagōgēn (N-AFS) -- Approach, access, admission. From prosago; admission.">enter God’s presence</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3954.htm" title="3954: parrēsian (N-AFS) -- From pas and a derivative of rheo; all out-spokenness, i.e. Frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance.">with boldness</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/4006.htm" title="4006: pepoithēsei (N-DFS) -- Confidence, trust, reliance. From the perfect of the alternate of pascho; reliance.">confidence.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">13</span>So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-16.htm">Hebrews 4:16</a></span><br />Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-2.htm">Romans 5:2</a></span><br />through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-19.htm">Hebrews 10:19-22</a></span><br />Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, / by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, / and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-12.htm">2 Corinthians 3:12</a></span><br />Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/1-20.htm">Philippians 1:20</a></span><br />I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-27.htm">Colossians 1:27</a></span><br />To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-17.htm">1 John 4:17</a></span><br />In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15</a></span><br />For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-6.htm">Galatians 4:6</a></span><br />And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-21.htm">1 John 3:21-22</a></span><br />Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God, / and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-13.htm">Acts 4:13</a></span><br />When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/1-7.htm">2 Timothy 1:7</a></span><br />For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-17.htm">Isaiah 32:17</a></span><br />The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-7.htm">Jeremiah 17:7</a></span><br />But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/2-18.htm">Ephesians 2:18</a></b></br> For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a></b></br> Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/5-2.htm">Romans 5:2</a></b></br> By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ephesians/2-18.htm">Access</a> <a href="/acts/8-29.htm">Approach</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-21.htm">Bold</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-2.htm">Boldness</a> <a href="/galatians/5-10.htm">Confidence</a> <a href="/galatians/5-10.htm">Confident</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/galatians/4-11.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Freedom</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">Him</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/10-19.htm">Access</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-16.htm">Approach</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-20.htm">Bold</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-19.htm">Boldness</a> <a href="/philippians/1-7.htm">Confidence</a> <a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Confident</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-17.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-21.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-19.htm">Freedom</a> <a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Him</a><div class="vheading2">Ephesians 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/3-1.htm">The hidden mystery that the Gentiles should be saved was made known to Paul by revelation;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/3-8.htm">and to him was that grace given, that he should preach it.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/3-13.htm">He desires them not to be discouraged over his tribulation;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/3-14.htm">and prays that they may perceive the great love of Christ toward them.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/ephesians/3.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>In Him</b><br />The phrase "In Him" refers to our union with Christ, a central theme in Pauline theology. The Greek preposition "ἐν" (en) signifies a fixed position in place, time, or state, indicating that our relationship with Christ is foundational and secure. This union is not merely positional but relational, emphasizing that all spiritual blessings and privileges, including access to God, are found in Christ alone. Historically, this reflects the early Christian understanding that Jesus is the mediator between God and humanity, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies of a coming Messiah who would restore the broken relationship between God and His people.<p><b>through faith in Him</b><br />The Greek word for "faith" is "πίστις" (pistis), which implies trust, belief, and reliance. This faith is not a mere intellectual assent but a deep-seated trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The phrase underscores that it is not by our works or merits that we approach God, but solely through faith in Jesus. This aligns with the Reformation principle of "sola fide" (faith alone), which emphasizes that justification and access to God are granted through faith, not by human effort. Historically, this was a radical departure from the Jewish law-based approach to righteousness, highlighting the transformative power of the Gospel.<p><b>we may enter God’s presence</b><br />The concept of entering "God’s presence" is rooted in the Old Testament, where access to God was restricted to the high priest once a year in the Holy of Holies. The Greek word "προσαγωγή" (prosagōgē) means access or approach, signifying a privilege once reserved for a select few. Through Christ, this access is now available to all believers, symbolizing the tearing of the temple veil at Christ's crucifixion, which opened the way for direct communion with God. This reflects the new covenant reality where believers are invited into an intimate relationship with God, a profound shift from the distant and mediated relationship under the old covenant.<p><b>with boldness</b><br />The term "boldness" is translated from the Greek "παρρησία" (parrēsia), which conveys the idea of freedom in speaking, openness, and confidence. This boldness is not arrogance but a confident assurance rooted in the finished work of Christ. It reflects the believer's newfound status as a child of God, who can approach the Father without fear of rejection or condemnation. Historically, this boldness contrasts with the fear and trepidation associated with approaching a holy God under the old covenant, highlighting the transformative impact of Christ's atoning sacrifice.<p><b>and confidence</b><br />The word "confidence" comes from the Greek "πεποίθησις" (pepoithēsis), meaning trust or reliance. This confidence is a result of the believer's faith in Christ and the assurance of His promises. It speaks to the security and certainty that believers have in their relationship with God, knowing that they are accepted and loved. This confidence is not self-derived but is a gift of grace, reflecting the believer's trust in God's faithfulness and the sufficiency of Christ's work. In a historical context, this confidence would have been a source of great encouragement to the early Christians facing persecution, reminding them of their secure standing before God despite external circumstances.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ephesians/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) This verse returns to the idea of <a href="/ephesians/2-18.htm" title="For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.">Ephesians 2:18</a>, as though St. Paul, after the wide sweep of thought far beyond the earth in <a href="/context/ephesians/3-10.htm" title="To the intent that now to the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,">Ephesians 3:10-11</a>, desired, as usual, to bring his readers back to the practical and personal aspects of their Christianity.<p><span class= "bld">In whom we have</span> (<span class= "ital">our</span>) <span class= "bld">boldness and</span> (<span class= "ital">our</span>) <span class= "bld">access with confidence.</span>--"Boldness" is, properly, <span class= "ital">boldness of speech</span> (as in <a href="/ephesians/6-19.htm" title="And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,">Ephesians 6:19</a>), though used in a derivative sense for confidence and frankness generally. Probably here it is suggested in its original sense by the reference in the preceding verse to the charge of proclaiming the mystery of God, and accordingly means that boldness of thought and utterance before men and angels which Christians, in virtue of that charge, ought to assume. The "access (see <a href="/ephesians/2-18.htm" title="For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.">Ephesians 2:18</a>) in confidence" is, on the other hand, that confidence before God, as presented to Him in the Lord Jesus Christ, which belongs to Christians as no longer servants but sons. (On this confidence see <a href="/context/2_corinthians/3-4.htm" title="And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:">2Corinthians 3:4-6</a>.) Both these gifts depend on "faith in Him:" in the one case, faith in His teaching and grace; in the other, faith in His atonement and His gift of the new life. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ephesians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">In whom we have our boldness and access.</span> <span class="greek">Παῥῤησία</span> literally means "boldness" or "freedom <span class="accented">of speech</span>," but is used here in a more ample sense for want of restraint, ease of feeling, comfortable self-possession, in our access to God. Contrast with Adam hiding himself among the trees of the garden, and the lost calling on the mountains to fall on them, and the rocks to cover them. The "we" in this verse includes both Jews and Gentiles. The "access," or introduction (see <a href="/ephesians/2-18.htm">Ephesians 2:18</a>), is like that of the high priest into the holy of holies - we have boldness to enter into the holiest of all (<span class="accented">Hebrews</span> 10:19). <span class="cmt_word">In confidence through the faith of him.</span> The confidence of being welcomed and accepted when we go into God's presence springs from our faith in him. We believe in him as the Propitiation, as our Peace, as the Reconciler, and we go before God with confidence. The clause, "through faith in him," influences the whole verse. And, as before, we have at the beginning of the verse, "in whom" - an express-ion denoting generally our union with Christ, and at the end, "through the faith of him" - a specification of the instrument by which flint union is formed and by which it operates. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ephesians/3-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">In</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Him</span><br /><span class="grk">ᾧ</span> <span class="translit">(hō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] through</span><br /><span class="grk">διὰ</span> <span class="translit">(dia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">faith</span><br /><span class="grk">πίστεως</span> <span class="translit">(pisteōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> </span><span class="str2">Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Him</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(autou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we may</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔχομεν</span> <span class="translit">(echomen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">enter [ God’s ] presence</span><br /><span class="grk">προσαγωγὴν</span> <span class="translit">(prosagōgēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4318.htm">Strong's 4318: </a> </span><span class="str2">Approach, access, admission. From prosago; admission.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with boldness</span><br /><span class="grk">παρρησίαν</span> <span class="translit">(parrēsian)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3954.htm">Strong's 3954: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pas and a derivative of rheo; all out-spokenness, i.e. Frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">confidence.</span><br /><span class="grk">πεποιθήσει</span> <span class="translit">(pepoithēsei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4006.htm">Strong's 4006: </a> </span><span class="str2">Confidence, trust, reliance. From the perfect of the alternate of pascho; reliance.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ephesians/3-12.htm">Ephesians 3:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ephesians/3-12.htm">Ephesians 3:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ephesians/3-12.htm">Ephesians 3:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ephesians/3-12.htm">Ephesians 3:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ephesians/3-12.htm">Ephesians 3:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ephesians/3-12.htm">Ephesians 3:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ephesians/3-12.htm">Ephesians 3:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ephesians/3-12.htm">Ephesians 3:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ephesians/3-12.htm">Ephesians 3:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ephesians/3-12.htm">Ephesians 3:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ephesians/3-12.htm">NT Letters: Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access (Ephes. 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