Ephesians 3:14-21 - A Prayer for the Readers
Ephesians 3:14) For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15) from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16) I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17) and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18) I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19) and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20) Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21) to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
What is an Epistle? Twenty of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament are called Epistles. Epistles are simply letters written by one or more leaders of the early Christian movement to instruct and encourage the new, and often struggling, churches in and around the Mediterranean basin. A number of the letters, for example I and II Corinthians, deal with specific problems that had arisen in the churches. These early conflicts posed a great threat to the consolidation and expansion of the Gospel and had to be dealt with forthrightly. Others of the letters are more general in tone and were often circulated in the house churches and read almost as a sermon.
What about Ephesians? This letter has been described in many ways. William Barclay calls it “the Queen of Epistles”. Others have called it “the Switzerland of the New Testament” and the “divinest composition of man”. It is general in tone, although probably originally intended to begin its circulation in Ephesus, a beautiful seaport town in what is now Turkey. Ephesians is closely related to Colossians and contains many of the same themes. Some scholars believe that Ephesians is actually a careful commentary on the letter to the Colossians.
What is the major point? Ephesians describes the reconciling work of God in Christ Jesus that unifies all of the people of earth, subdues the hostile cosmic powers and through which a new humanity and new society are created. It is a letter about enemies becoming friends in the power of Christ. It is especially poignant to be reading from Ephesians in the midst of Israel and Palestine war, and so many violent divisions in the USA and around the world. The passage before us today is often called “the gem of the Epistle.” It is the author’s fervent prayer for the people. He knows that it is only through the power of God at work in us in Jesus that there can be any hope of reconciliation, in individual lives, families, between enemies and throughout the whole created order. It is the strength of that power, found in the love of God, that the author passionately asks God to establish in the people so that they can face the challenges of their time as brand new creatures.
Word Study
Vs. 14 – For this reason – This phrase refers back in the letter and lets us know the reason for the author’s prayer. He knows that only God can make a new body (the Church) out of old enemies (Jews and Gentiles).
I bow my knees – typically, Jews stood when they prayed. In times of great distress they might kneel or lie on their faces the way Jesus did in Gethesemane.
Vs. 15 - Father/family – there is a beautiful play on words here in Greek. The point is that all creatures (both on earth and the orders and families of angels) belong to God.
Name – in the early centuries naming was much more significant than merely labeling one child from another. To be named was to be given a new identity and purpose. To be called by God’s name is to be put under God’s power and protection.
Vs. 16 – glory – both God’s power and inexhaustible radiance that allows us to see truth.
Strengthened – fortified, invigorated.
Inner being – the deepest part of a human personality where a person’s true essence lies. The Greeks thought that there were three parts to the inner being: reason – by which one discerns right from wrong; conscience – as a result of which one strives for purity and holiness; and will – from which is derived the ability to do what one knows is right. It is through the inner being that God is experienced.
Vs. 17 – dwell – there are two words in Greek that can describe “taking up residence.” One means “to inhabit a place as a stranger.” The other means “to settle down.” It implies permanent residency, not a visit. That is the word used here. Jesus has come to stay.
Faith – trust in Jesus. Trust makes one open for the indwelling of Christ.
Rooted – anchored firmly
Grounded – set solidly on a foundation
Love – agape – selfless giving to others regardless of how one feels
Vs. 18 – power – a very important word in the New Testament. It is the ability to accomplish God’s desired ends. Our writer recognizes that a Christian needs this power even to comprehend the love of Christ.
With all the saints – the holy ones. The point is that Christ’s love can not be comprehended in isolation. We are to be a body, a community.
Breadth/length/height/depth – the sheer magnitude of God’s love
Vs. 19 – surpasses knowledge – humans can not fully grasp the greatness of God’s love
The fullness of God – the very perfection of God
Vs. 20 – The power at work within us – within individuals and the body as a whole
Abundantly far more – the author coins his own word. It is a super superlative.
Questions for Reflection
- Over what situations do you feel powerless? Are their relationships that seem irreconcilable to you? Ask God to fill you up with Christ’s love, remembering that reconciliation does not require remaining in danger or subverting one’s own unique power. It means to find a way to come to view no one as enemy completely separate from the self.
- In what kind of shape are your roots? Spongy and weak? Strong and reaching out? Ask God to strengthen your roots by showing Love to you in concrete ways.
- How do you exhibit God’s love in your daily life? Could you do a better job? Ask God to speak Love through you into the world.
- How do these words speak to you in times of division and uncertainty? What does it mean to you to be rooted in chaotic times?