Ephesians 3:14-21

As we discussed when we began the book, Ephesians divides nicely into two distinct sections. Chapters 1-3 are filled with indicatives (statements of fact) about salvation and the church. Based on this understanding, chapters 4-6 are imperatives (commands) of how the church should live.

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

There are at least three major points to be learned from these verses:

1) Paul picks up where he left off from verse 1 of chapter 3.

2) Paul bows his knees.

3) He bows to the Father.

15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

The Bible clearly portrays God as a father. It is not an accident that earthly fathers are similar to God. But we must be careful not to attempt to understand God in terms of our earthly fathers but rather we understand our earthly fathers in terms of the attributes of God.

16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

Paul's intercessory prayer for the Ephesians is that God would strengthen them. It is not a command to be strong but a request for God to strengthen them according to the riches of His glory.

Paul prays that God would do this by means of the Spirit in the inner man.

17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--

19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

A person who is strengthened in the inner man has the following characteristics:

1) Christ dwells in them through faith.

2) Rooted and grounded in love.

3) Able to comprehend the otherwise incomprehensible.

4) Knows the love of Christ which is otherwise unknowable.

5) Filled with the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (NKJ)

Paul concludes his prayer for the Ephesians with a doxology of praise to God. Note that to God belongs the glory in the church; the Church does not receive the glory. Also note that the glory comes by Jesus. Paul is saying that God is to be glorified for He has glorified Himself .