Ephesians 3:17-19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 3:14-21

We now come to the second part of this chapter, which contains Paul's devout and affectionate prayer to God for his beloved Ephesians.?For this cause. This may be referred either to the immediately Eph. 3:13; That you faint not, etc., or, rather, the apostle is here resuming what he began at the Eph. 3:1; from which he digressed in those which are interposed. Observe, I. To whom he prays?to God, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of which see Eph. 1:3. II. His outward posture in prayer,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 3:14-21

3:14-21 It is for this cause that I bow my knees in prayer before the Father, of whose fatherhood all heavenly and earthly fatherhood is a copy, that, according to the wealth of his glory. he may grant to you to be strengthened in the inner man, so that Christ through faith may take up his permanent residence in your hearts. I pray that you may have your root and your foundation in love, so that, with all God's consecrated people, you may have the strength fully to grasp the meaning of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 3:17

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith ,.... This is another petition put up by the apostle for the Ephesians, which is for the inhabitation of Christ in them: the inhabitant Christ is he who dwells in the highest heavens, who dwells in the Father, and the Father in him, in whom all fulness dwells, the fulness of the Godhead, and the fulness of grace; so that those in whose hearts he dwells cannot want any good thing, must be in the greatest safety, and enjoy the greatest comfort and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 3:18

May be able to comprehend with all saints ,.... This is the end of their being rooted and grounded in love, that they, together with the rest of the saints interested in it, might have a larger and more comprehensive view of what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height ; not of God himself, who is incomprehensible by finite minds, and is not to be found out to perfection; see Job 11:7 but either of the great mystery of salvation, particularly the mystery of the calling of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 3:19

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge ,.... The love of Christ to his own, to his church and people, is special and peculiar; free and Sovereign; as early as his Father's love, and is durable and unchangeable; the greatest love that ever was heard of; it is matchless and unparalleled; it is exceeding strong and affectionate, and is wonderful and surprising: the instances of it are, his engaging as a surety for them; his espousing both their persons and their cause; his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:17

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith - In this as well as in many other passages, and particularly that in Ephesians 2:21 ; (note), the apostle compares the body or Church of true believers to a temple, which, like that of Solomon, is built up to be a habitation of God through the Spirit. Here, as Solomon did at the dedication of the temple at Jerusalem, 2 Chronicles 6:1 , etc., Paul, having considered the Church at Ephesus completely formed, as to every external thing, prays... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:18

May be able to comprehend with all saints - Ἱνα εξισχυσητε καταλαβεσθαι . These words are so exceedingly nervous and full of meaning, that it is almost impossible to translate them. The first word, εξισχυσητε , from εξ , intensive, and ισχυω , to be strong, signifies that they might be thoroughly able, by having been strengthened with might, by God's power. The second word καταλαβεσθαι , from κατα , intensive, and λαμβανω , to take, catch, or seize on, may be translated, that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:19

To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge - It is only by the love of Christ that we can know the love of God: the love of God to man induced him to give Christ for his redemption; Christ's love to man induced him to give his life's blood for his salvation. The gift of Christ to man is the measure of God's love; the death of Christ for man is the measure of Christ's love. God so loved the world, etc. Christ loved us, and gave himself for us. But how can the love of Christ, which... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:17

Verse 17 17.That Christ may dwell. He explains what is meant by “the strength of the inner man.” As “it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell,” (Colossians 1:19,) so he who has Christ dwelling in him can want nothing. It is a mistake to imagine that the Spirit can be obtained without obtaining Christ; and it is equally foolish and absurd to dream that we can receive Christ without the Spirit. Both doctrines must be believed. We are partakers of the Holy Spirit, in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:18

Verse 18 18.May be able to comprehend. The second fruit is, that the Ephesians should perceive the greatness of Christ’s love to men. Such an apprehension or knowledge springs from faith. By desiring that they should comprehend it with all saints, he shows that it is the most excellent blessing which they can obtain in the present life; that it is the highest wisdom, to which all the children of God aspire. What follows is sufficiently clear in itself, but has hitherto been darkened by a... read more

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