Ephesians 3 - 2.24.26

SCRIPTURE:  EPHESIANS 3:14 - 21

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

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.”

OBSERVATION

I love how Paul goes into this scripture by kneeling – in reverence and worship – to God. He begins with prayer for the Ephesians that God, out of his riches, to strengthen with power in the Spirit, in our inner being, that Christ will dwell within us. He then moves to praying the Ephesians will be rooted and established in love, to have the power to understand the love of Christ. It’s not just to have the basic understanding of his love, but to fully grasp “how wide and long and high and deep” is the love of Christ. To me these words paint a picture of the cross that Christ endured to save us from our sins. His sacrifice on the cross was wide, long, high and deep. His love and sacrifice transcend all dimensions, heaven and earth, all people – Jews and Gentiles. Paul wants us to be “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Praise God!!

According to Expositor's Bible Commentary there is another understanding on the meaning of  “how wide and long and high and deep”:

“It is "wide" enough to reach the whole world and beyond (1:9-10, 20 Ephesians 1:20 NIV he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly...).  

It is "long" enough to stretch from eternity to eternity (1:4-6, 18; 3:9).  

It is "high" enough to raise both Gentiles and Jews to heavenly places in Christ Jesus (1:13; 2:6).

It is "deep" enough to rescue people from sin's degradation and even from the grip of Satan himself (2:1-5; 6:11-12). The love of Christ is the love he has for the church as a united body (5:25, 29-30) and for those who trust in him as individuals (3:17).

Paul ends his prayer giving God all the glory – highlighting that God can do immeasurably more than we ask or think. God’s ways are above anything we could ever imagine. The best part is it’s all  “according to his power that is at work within us.” God has completely equipped us with the power that we need to understand and live in the Spirit.

APPLICATION

It’s important to always begin prayer like Paul, in submission and worship to God. Kneeling is noted in this scripture but any posture of reverence (bowing your head, open hands up to God, etc.) is an important part of prayer.

This scripture highlights that we can pray for strength in the power of his Spirit to dwell in our hearts. We can also pray for power to grasp His great love. Our minds can’t really wrap around the depth of God’s love. It takes Godly power to really understand all aspects of His love. This scripture says his love  “surpasses knowledge” yet we can pray to “be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” I say YES to His love and to being filled of all the fullness of God.

Imagine for a moment that any thought or prayer that you ask, God can do immeasurably more. It’s all from the “power that is at work within us.” Positionally, God can do anything!  Recognizing and worshiping God for what he can do through us can take us to a different level of faith.

PRAYER

Lord, I bow down before your throne. You are the one and only God. You alone are worthy of all honor and praise. Thank you for this wonderful scripture and prayer from Paul to the Ephesians. You alone provide glorious riches, strengthen us with power through the Spirit, all to worship you, strengthen our faith, and truly understand your great love for us through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Lord, fill us all with the fullness of God. Help us to live in your Spriit always. In Jesus name. Amen!

- Mary Oberg