This chapter, unfolding the mystery, is a parenthesis between chapters 2 and 4.
Chapter 1 gives the counsels of God and sets up Christ in the highest place. In chapter 2 He quickens others with Him and forms the assembly of those risen in Christ, by grace, from Jews and Gentiles.
Chapter 3 is Paul's administration of the mystery. Paul gives evidence of his knowledge of the mystery by explaining it in this chapter. Paul was a prisoner for preaching his gospel to the Gentiles. This mystery was not known in past ages but is now revealed by the Spirit. God had made a division between Jew and Gentile but now has abolished it, making both one.
The Lord would have companions with Himself in His glory, members of His body living by Him.
The administration of the mystery is the bringing together of the assembly under Christ its Head. This mystery has been revealed by the establishing of the assembly on the earth. It in turn should be the means used in making known to the angels as well as men the manifold and all-various wisdom of God. The angels had seen the earth formed and God's ways of government and grace, but now they desire to look at this marvelous wonder-God's taking rebels and forming them into one body in Christ.
Here we see Christ as the center of God's ways; He is the Son of the Father, the heir of all things as the Creator-Son and the center of the counsels of God.
The apostle now addresses Himself to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every family is arranged under the name of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the assembly, angels, Jews, Gentiles, already in relation to the Father in a new way since the cross, but only the Church can call Him Father.
Christ, Who is the center of all glory and the One who fills all things, fills above all things our hearts, in the tenderest affections, being the strength of our hearts, the glory of Him whom we love. There is no limit; it is the fullness of God. In Christ God reveals Himself in all of His glory. We are filled to all the fullness of God, and it is in the assembly where He dwells for that purpose.
Here we learn the infinitude which God alone fills, length, breadth, height, and depth. The love is infinite as God Himself is infinite.
The desire of Paul is that glory may be unto God in the assembly throughout all ages by Jesus Christ.
In his prayer in chapter 1 Paul asked that we might know the power; in this prayer he asked that the power might work in us. Also He desired that we walk worthy of our calling; this calling is being one body in Christ.