Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Notes
The end of the third chapter of Ephesians is a doxology, an expression of praise to God celebrating both His awe-inspiring power and revering the mysteries of God, one of which is revealed in this chapter. The reason for this praise is not for material gain but to recognize the gift of salvation that is offered to Jews and Gentiles alike in the embodiment of the mystery found in the purpose of the church.
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the administration of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before briefly. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.
Ephesians 3:1-7
Ephesians three begins with an explanation of the mystery of God, that Jews and Gentiles are to be brought together in one body and both heirs to the Kingdom. Those new to the promises and covenant of God with His people can go before Him with confidence and assurance. Gentile believers are now part of God’s universal plan of salvation with all its privileges and blessings and they can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their Jewish counterparts. Paul also shares that his calling and purpose to share this revealing solely because go God’s grace. He was lost and the Lord found him and transformed from the inside out.
To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; so that the multifaceted wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Therefore I ask you not to become discouraged about my tribulations in your behalf, since they are your glory.
Ephesians 3:8-13
With God’s mystery revealed the scripture continues with the purpose of the mystery and the reason that Jews and Gentiles are one under God. Paul goes further in revealing that his purpose is to preach the gospel specifically to Gentiles and to help explain the mystery in a way that can be understood. Meanwhile, we who are Gentiles begin to understand that the mystery of one body in Christ manifested before the creation of the world. The mystery was kept for so long because God in his immeasurable wisdom wanted the church to be the instrument of this truth and its unveiling. The church is the center of God’s plan through Christ’s work of redemption that provides the conduit for people to reach Him. We no longer fear Him as a king or a judge but recognize an awaiting relationship with God the Father.
For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, 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, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 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.
Ephesians 3:14-19
The appreciation of the mystery revealed is shown by Paul coming before God on his knees in a sign of reverence and adoration, unlike his fellow Jews who did not kneel during prayer. He humbles himself before the Father showing his intimate relationship with the most high God as well as understanding the grace and mercy that allowed him to be in his position. The truth of the matter is that we all who name Jesus as our Lord and Savior are a part of God’s whole family in heaven and on earth.
Paul prays for a myriad of requests but he is specific in his petition and each build from one to the next. Much like a pyramid, the first request is the lower layer of stonework and as the prayer builds so does the acceleration towards the ultimate praise.
Request No. 1 – To be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self
The blessing we should seek is spiritual power not material and not power in the performative attempt to bring the attention back to ourselves. Instead, we should strive for the spiritual vitality and strength needed to be steady, mature and intelligent Christians. This vitality is found through power imparted to us by the Holy Spirit and is experienced internally, in the spiritual part of our nature for the inner self is renewed day by day even if the outward self continues to decay.
Request No. 2 – So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith
If Christ is to take up residence in our inner self, he needs access to all of our being. Even with the thoughts and secrets we feel may grieve him. He wants to not just live within us, but he wants to be at home, welcome and comfortable in our hearts. Our attitude can be like the old Christian mantra, ‘What Would Jesus Do,’ instead we should be challenged by the idea ‘Because Christ lives within me and has shown me great mercy, what am I yearning to do in His name?’
Request No. 3 – Being rooted and grounded in love
A root provides nourishment, support and the foundation needed for growth. To be rooted and grounded in love is to demonstrate love as a way of life. Kindness, selflessness, humility and forbearance are manifestations of the life of Christ expressed within a true believer.
Request No. 4 – May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth
- The width refers to the wideness of God’s grace throughout the world by accepting both Jews and Gentiles in the Church (John 3:16).
- The length extends from eternity to eternity (1 Corinthians 13:8).
- The depth regards the sinking pit of sin and corruption that we find ourselves in and that Christ delved into the muck to die on our behalf (Philippians 2:8).
- The height references our position as heirs, enthroned in Him in the heavens to share in His glory (1 John 3:1-2).
Request No. 5 – To know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God
This is an encouragement toward knowledge through experience that we learn more about the love of Christ each and every day. This final request also magnifies the essence of being filled with the fullness of God, or at least as full as one can in our mortal being. The fullness of God is found more and more with the indwelling of Christ upon our hearts and in our faith in Him.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
As previously stated, when the above verses tend to be mentioned, particularly vs 20, it has been in terms of earthly and temporal providence. The verse becomes a support for earthly gain rather than a reflection on the wonder and amazing power of a God who pulled us out of the pit of destruction and crowned us with gold that will not tarnish, to live with him in a house that will not decay and be an heir to a kingdom that will never fade away.
God answers our prayer according to his power that is at work within us indicates the Holy Spirit at work, endeavoring to produce Christlike character, not media-worthy excess. The more we yield to the draw of God through the Spirit the more effective our conformation in Christ becomes.
Endless glory will be given to God by the church where Christ is the Head and believers the Body. As a redeemed community of believers, we are an eternal witness to God’s immeasurable and marvelous grace. For the unchurched, this is a reminder of the purpose and importance of church community and that although there is pain and hurt and disappointment, we are called to join other believers in the community to extol eternal praise unto our blessed savior. As for the church, the focus is not on weekly attendance, political power, monetary gain or building a life of comfort and ease. There is a calling of the church to give glory to His name through praise, in the uncorrupted lives of its members, in the global proclamation of the Gospel and in ministering to the needs and distress of the poor and oppressed.
Praise be to a God who brings together the divided to make a new whole, who knows the mysteries of this world before its existence and long after its termination, who commands and controls the universe and yet cares when a sparrow falls. Our requests to God should surpass the material and the temporal, we should look beyond and eternally ask for more than we could ever imagine knowing that our destiny is not death, but instead redemption and a seat in the heavenly realm. ‘May it be so’
MEMORY VERses
Henry Fuseli. Aided by Eeriboia, Hermes Carries Off the Exhausted Ares from the Sleeping Sons of Aloeus (recto); Sketch of One of the Sleeping Sons of Aloeus (verso), 1819. The Art Institute of Chicago
Related Verses
More verses about the immeasurable power of God
Prayer Invitation
“But the power of God cannot be so determined and measured, for it is uncircumscribed and immeasurable, beyond and above all that is or may be. On the other hand, it must be essentially present at all places, even in the tiniest tree leaf.“
— Martin Luther
MANÁ 
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