Understanding Ephesians 3:14-20
In Ephesians 3:14-20, the Apostle Paul offers a powerful and heartfelt prayer for the believers in Ephesus. He prays that they would be strengthened spiritually, grow in their understanding of Christ's love, and experience the fullness of God in their lives. This passage invites us to reflect on the deep and transformative power of God’s love and His ability to do more than we could ever imagine. Let’s walk through these verses and unpack the spiritual riches Paul desires for all believers.
Verse 14: “For this reason I bend my knees before the Father.”
Paul begins with a posture of humility, bowing before God in prayer. This act of kneeling symbolizes surrender and reverence to the Father, acknowledging that He alone is sovereign. Throughout Scripture, we see this same attitude of submission in prayer. For example, Daniel 6:10 says, “Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.” Like Paul and Daniel, we, too, are called to approach God with humility and dependence, recognizing Him as our source of strength and guidance.
Verses 15-16: “From whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self.”
Paul reminds us that every family on earth, including those in heaven, derives its name from the Father. This means that God is not only Creator, but also the source of identity and belonging for all. The phrase "according to the riches of His glory" emphasizes that God's resources are unlimited, and He desires to empower us with His strength. Paul prays for this strength to come through the Holy Spirit in the "inner self," the very core of our being.
Isaiah 40:31 echoes this theme: “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” God's power, available through His Spirit, renews and sustains us in ways beyond our natural abilities.
Verse 17: “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love.”
Here, Paul expresses his desire for Christ to dwell in the hearts of believers through faith. This is not just about Jesus residing in us temporarily, but Him making His home in us, transforming our hearts. The imagery of being "rooted and grounded in love" speaks of stability and depth. Just as trees need deep roots to grow strong, believers need to be firmly planted in the love of Christ.
John 15:5 captures this relationship beautifully: “I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” When we are rooted in Christ's love, we are able to thrive spiritually and produce fruit in our lives.
Verses 18-19: “May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.”
Paul now prays that believers would grasp the vastness of Christ's love, which cannot be fully understood by human knowledge. The dimensions Paul speaks of—width, length, height, and depth—emphasize the limitless nature of Christ's love for us. It is wide enough to cover all people, long enough to last for eternity, high enough to reach the heavens, and deep enough to save the worst sinner.
Romans 8:38-39 powerfully supports this idea: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” No matter what, God's love remains inseparable from us, filling us with His fullness and presence.
Verse 20: “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”
Paul concludes this section with a short expression of praise to God, praising His ability to do far more than we could ever ask or even imagine. God's power is not limited by human understanding or our circumstances. His power is already at work within us, accomplishing His purposes. This reminds us that when we pray, God is able to answer in ways far beyond what we expect.
1 Corinthians 2:9 reflects this same truth: “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the human heart, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” God's plans and blessings for us are beyond our imagination, and His power is at work even in ways we cannot fully comprehend.
Verse 21: “To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
Paul ends with praise, giving all glory to God. He acknowledges that God’s glory is displayed in the church and in Christ, not just for the current generation, but for all generations to come. This prayer reflects the eternal nature of God’s work and His desire for His people to reflect His glory forever.
Psalm 115:1 captures the essence of this verse: “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.” All glory belongs to God, and through our lives, we have the privilege of displaying His grace and truth to the world.
Conclusion
In these verses, Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers calls us to a deeper understanding of Christ's love and a greater dependence on the power of God. We are reminded that God’s resources are limitless, His love is immeasurable, and His power is at work within us. As we meditate on this passage, may we be encouraged to open our hearts to the fullness of God, allowing His love and strength to transform us and bring Him glory.
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