Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 3:8

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;" — Ephesians 3:8 (ASV)

“Given me” forms a link with v.7 (cf. v.2). “Less than the least” is a unique combination of comparative and superlative. Literally it is “more least.” Perhaps there is a playful allusion here to Paul’s own name (v.1), meaning “little.” In 2 Corinthians 12:11 Paul acknowledges that in himself he is a nobody, while at the same time recognizing that God has made him a somebody. Such humility is an essential qualification for effective service. Paul’s God-given commission is “to preach [lit., to announce the good news; GK 2294] to the Gentiles.” In doing so, he is continuing Christ’s own ministry (see 2:17, where the same verb is used). “Unsearchable” is that which cannot be traced out; the accent lies on the boundless treasury of riches in Christ.