Ephesians 3:12-21

Ephesians 3:12-13

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Only through Jesus and faith in Jesus can we approach God. This idea of approaching God can be more accurately described as “a bringing to” or “access”. We have been brought near to God through Jesus’ acts on the cross but it is our faith in Jesus that we have access to God the Father and we can do so with boldness or freedom. The confidence or trust we have comes from faith in Jesus. 

Ephesians 3:14-15

For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

Paul is now going to pray for the Ephesians because of all that has been done for them and Gentiles alike through the promise of Christ. This is also due to what he has just said about being able to approach God and that is through the avenue of prayer. Paul then gives a praise to God the Father, that every family in heaven and earth gets its name. What is Paul referring to here? 

The phrase for “derives its name” can also be rendered “to name” or to “be called”. Given the context of unity of Gentiles and Jews, it is most fitting that Paul is referring to every human dead or alive or at the very least those whom God has called to be part of His people. 

Ephesians 3:16-17a

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 

Paul prays for two things in his prayer. The first is strength. Out of God’s riches, He can give them power through the Spirit so Jesus can be in their hearts through the faith they have in him. Elsewhere Paul refers to the power of the resurrection living within us. The strength comes from the Spirit and we have the Spirit by having faith in Jesus. When we have the Spirit, we have Jesus living in us because of our faith.  

Ephesians 3:17b-19

“Power”- better word would be “comprehend” or “grasp”- katalambanō– lay hold of, seize, take possession. 

Continuing his prayer Paul mentions the second thing he prays for. He not only prays for strength but for them to have understanding. This understanding is a result of them being rooted in Christ Jesus and love. This understanding is shared with all of those who belong to Jesus. This was for a purpose, however. That purpose is to better understand the love of Jesus. There’s a lot going on in this one phrase. Paul is praying that since they have a foundation of love, they can receive understanding. This is a shared power among all Jesus followers and it is not for control or violence or oppression. Rather this power is to understand, its a power of wisdom of Christ’s love and all that he did. Paul has just mentioned a really big impact of the love of Jesus in bringing two hostile groups together. 

This power is not just to know the extent of Chrost’s love but also to know this love surpasses or is above all knowledge. The end result is that believers are filled with God and His Spirit. 

Ephesians 3:20-21

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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Paul wants God to receive glory in the church and through Jesus through all peoples for all time. His descriptive quality of God is an immense one to say the least. What Paul is saying here is that God can do more than we could even think up. What is even more intriguing is how does God do this, by what power can he do these extraordinary things? The answer he gives next…the power that works in us. Yes, the same Spirit working in us is how God does these incredible things. We are a part of God’s plan and we have a role to fill. We have God’s working power in us and that is how God can and does work. Through his church, through Jesus, the Gentiles have been included in God’s family and all who come to Jesus continue to be saved.