Ephesians 3:14–21 - 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 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, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
What does today’s passage say?
In today’s passage, Paul prays that God would empower believers inwardly (vv. 14-16). He asks for spiritual strength to comprehend Christ’s love. Paul wants them rooted in God’s affection demonstrated through Jesus which supports and stabilizes followers. He petitions for them to understand the breadth of divine love securing them in every dimension even when they fail. Paul seeks for the Ephesians to be filled with God’s fullness living within, which transforms them (vv. 17-19). Lastly, Paul praises the Lord who shows His might and mercy through believers, accomplishing more than our minds conceive. He concludes by glorifying God for His endless grace and power that allow the church to bear lasting spiritual fruit (vv. 20-21).
How can I apply Ephesians 3:14-21 to my life?
What empowers us to truly thrive as followers of Jesus during trials and seasons of mundane routine? In these verses, Paul provides an inspired prayer demonstrating how gripping the love of Christ fuels our daily walk regardless of circumstances or age. Through dependent prayer and fixing ourselves before God’s compassion flowing through Christ, we gain inward renewal and access supernatural resources to flourish. By examining this profound prayer, we gain principles for replenishing our spiritual vitality through an upward focus. Paul redirects our gaze to the endless power and dimensions of God’s love that transform willing hearts. These same spiritual dynamics enable ordinary believers to participate in the miraculous. By applying the truths in these verses, we can be and do far more for the Lord than we ever thought possible. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Humbly Pray for Spiritual Strength from the Father (vv. 14-16): As Paul exhorts us to bow before God the Father, we are reminded of our dependence on Him for spiritual strength and growth. By coming to God in humility through prayer, we open ourselves to receiving His empowering grace. We must continuously seek to be strengthened in our inner being by the Holy Spirit in order to withstand life's trials and grow in spiritual maturity. Going to God the Father is not a one-time event, but rather a continuous posture we take before Him. Making prayer the steady rhythm of our days keeps our focus on the infinite power available to us through Christ. We limit what God wants to do in our lives when prayer becomes an afterthought instead of a foundation. Approaching God with humble and honest requests ushers His presence and strength into our circumstances. Asking to be strengthened by God's Spirit reflects a reliance on Him, not ourselves. We admit our need for His supernatural work to transform us when our human strength falls short. Positioning ourselves before God as humble children opens the door for the Father to answer us according to His will and supply what is best for our growth. As we bring our requests to Him, we make ourselves available for His strength to impact lives around us (Romans 12:3; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:6-7).
Food for Thought: What areas of your spiritual growth require God's strengthening power right now? What prayers are you in need of deepening regarding your walk with God?
2. Let the Breadth and Depth of Christ’s Love Dwell Richly Within You (vv. 17-19): As Paul prays for divine empowerment, he seeks for believers to grasp the full magnitude of Christ’s affection. Comprehending but a portion of this multidimensional love fuels spiritual renewal from within. When grounded in the breadth, length, height, and depth of such perfect love wrapping around every side, we grow in stability and ability to extend grace. These verses urge us to repeatedly expose ourselves to the vast range of God’s compassion through studying His Word, heartfelt worship, and time alone with Him. Exploring the heights Christ exalts us to as adopted sons and daughters, the depths He plunged Himself to redeem every facet of our fallen state, and the endless expanse His love traverses to embrace humanity cultivates awe and wonder towards our Savior. As divine revelation takes deeper root, it bears fruit and our lives become a means through which His affection transforms others. Comprehending but a fraction of the fullness of God’s love ushers renewal in us to glorify God as vessels overflowing with grace for others (Psalm 103:11-12; Romans 5:2-5; 1 John 3:1).
Food for thought: What prayers can you incorporate regarding the different dimensions of Christ’s love? How can God’s multidimensional affection shape your relationships?
3. Give God All Glory for His Limitless Power at Work Through Us (vv. 20-21): As Paul reaches the climax of this prayer in praise, we are reminded that the Lord working in and through us accomplishes more than our minds can conceive. The core message of these verses focuses on magnifying the God who shows His might and mercy through dependent vessels. When we position ourselves as willing conduits of His love, the outflow of spiritual fruit will always surpass human means and imagination. Our weakness, obedience, and availability converge as platforms for God's strength. Through the humble and faithful means that we have, He completes the work of revival, redemption, healing, and hope. As the Holy Spirit empowers us beyond expectation, let our lives point back to the source – bringing glory to the One able to do far more than we ask or think. Instead of showcasing our efforts, we must lift our gaze to glimpse more of the impossible made possible by God’s ceaseless power and grace (Psalm 115:1; Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31).
Food for Thought: What does it look like for you to make God's glory the focus instead of your impact? How can you praise Him for His work through you this week?
Through this passionate prayer, Paul maps out how accessing divine power fuels our mission. First, we gain strength and renewal by consistently turning our hearts to God in prayer. Second, recognizing how far Christ's love reaches in every direction helps us become rooted to share that grace. Third, the Holy Spirit empowers us beyond our means as conduits pointing to God’s glory. These principles realign our center of gravity around dependence on the infinite spiritual resources found in Christ. Regardless of age or maturity, clinging to Him as the source floods our inner being with enabling strength. By fixing our affections on God’s compassion demonstrated through Jesus, we become rooted conduits through which resurrection power flows. As we apply these truths, the Spirit will further enlighten us to comprehend the vast love enveloping us in every direction and dimension. May our lives through speech and action increasingly reflect the glorious God who relentlessly works through dependent believers.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would fill me with awe at the depth and breadth of Christ’s love for me. Help me make prayer with You a regular priority, not just a last resort as it too often is. I pray that You would open my eyes to Your love that impacts every aspect of my life and surrounds me fully. Shape my heart to pour out that same kindness and grace to others, even when it’s hard. Thank You that Your power can work miracles through my small acts of faith and obedience. Transform me to give You praise for every good thing You bring about through my life.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Ephesians 3:19 – “and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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