Ephesians 3:8

3:8 To me – less than the least of all the saints ¹  – this grace was given, ²  to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ

Ephesians 3:16

3:16 I pray that ³  according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person,

¹ sn In Pauline writings saints means any true believer. Thus for Paul to view himself as less than the least of all the saints is to view himself as the most unworthy object of Christ’s redemption.

² sn The parallel phrases to proclaim and to enlighten which follow indicate why God’s grace was manifested to Paul. Grace was not something just to be received, but to be shared with others (cf. Acts 13:47).

³ tn Grk “that.” In Greek v. 16 is a subordinate clause to vv. 14-15.