Ephesians 3:7

a minister Diâconos, a worker, helper. Cp. Colossians 1:23. The word implies activity and subordination. "I" here is not emphatic.

according to the gift, &c. See above on Ephesians 3:2. The "gift" includes the commission and the inspiration. His "ministry," both in field and in effect, was "according to" this great gift.

given I.e. (by the best attested reading) the gracewhich was given. So R.V. "the gift of that grace which was given."

by the effectual working&c. Read certainly, according to the working, &c. For similar phrases cp. Ephesians 1:19; Philippians 3:21; and esp. Colossians 1:29, where, as here, he speaks of working "according to" a power experienced by himself. A comma should be read before this second "according to." The statement is that he "became a minister, according to," in a way explained by, two things, a Divine Gift, and a Divine working Power. Observe the recognition, at once restful and energizing, that the actual movements of the power of God were the force behind all his apostolic activity. "By Him he moves, in Him he lives." Cp. besides Colossians 1:29 just cited, 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2Co 3:5; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:11.