Charles Ellicott Commentary Ephesians 3:7

"whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power." — Ephesians 3:7 (ASV)

According to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effectual working of His power.—The words “given by” should be rendered given according to. The working of God’s power is described, not as the means, but as the measure of the gift of His grace. In fact, what is a “gift” in its source is “effectual working” in its actual nature.

On the phrase “effectual working of power”—a divine force in the soul, not latent but energetic—see Ephesians 1:19. In this entire passage, however, the chief emphasis is placed not on the spiritual power, but on the freedom of God’s gift to the Apostle of this high privilege of preaching the mystery of the gospel.