Eph 3:14-20

Eph 3:14-20

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 

For this reason– Therefore…

bow my knees- The first prayer in 1:15 is about us knowing, this prayer is about us doing.  It focuses on the spiritual not the physical.  This term is one of humbleness, not pride or position. 

Father- This points to multiple aspects of God, first, the trinity, second it is the fact that God is the father of everything.  He is the original. 

whole family As creator is God but as those who trust in Christ he is our heavenly father. 

heaven and earth-He is the father of everything ever created, he is all powerful, all knowing, all everything. 

16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 

grant you-give you, free of cost

according to the riches of His glory- Not based on anything but what he has already told us we have.

Part 1

strengthened with might-overcome resistance

His Spirit- Not our power but God working in us

the inner man- this is a spirit issue, not a physical.  We need Gods power to conquer our inner man. We are controlled by God not our sin.

dwell in your hearts through faith- This is only possible for those who are believers.  But the idea of dwell is to be at home in, comfortable. 

Part 2 based on part one being done

being rooted- Like a plant

and grounded in love- Sturdy. This is the foundation of the Christian life, love. 

Part 3 based on part 2

18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Comprehend- To grasp and hold onto by yourself

all the saints – All believers, not just a select group

width, length, depth, height- greatness

love of Christ- How he loves us

passes knowledge-  we will never be able to understand how great gods love for us is! Phil 4:13

            –yet Paul’s wants us to!—

—Part 4 is what part 1-3 leads to

fullness of God-  This means that we are filled with the holy spirit and it is the width, length and depth and height of God.

So, then, Paul is praying for strength, depth, apprehension, and fullness[1]

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

is able to- Paul Knows God can do what is being asked

we ask or think- He gives more then we ever could imagine

power- 3:7

Him be glory- Why does God do this?  For his glory

This passage is about our foundation and knowing God

Paul wants us to know the foundation of our Christian life is love, he wants to be filled with the Love of God and know the power of the love of God and allow that power to work in us and he will and that power will be able to do what is in chapter 4. 

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 31). Victor Books.