Ephesians 3:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 3:20-21

Doxology. I. HOW GOD IS GLORIFIED . "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." We adore God as able to do for us in answer to our prayers. It is expected of us that we ask , that is, actually desire the blessing, and express the desire. But, beyond all that we ask, there is what we think, that is, what comes into our mind as to what we should desire and express. Now, God is able to do above... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 3:20-21

Exultant praise. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." The passage leads us to consider the subject of exultant praise . Worship is praise ; it is a higher service than prayer. It is in truth the highest end and. the completest answer to prayer. In the preceding verses Paul prays ; here he ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him - It is not uncommon for Paul to utter an ascription of praise in the midst of an argument; see Romans 9:5; Romans 11:36; Galatians 1:5. Here his mind is full of the subject; and in view of the fact that God communicates to his people such blessings - that they may become filled with all his fulness, he desires that praise should be given to him.That is able to do - see the notes, Romans 16:25.Exceeding abundantly - The compound word used here occurs only in this place, and in 1Th... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ephesians 3:20-21

Ephesians 3:20-21. Now unto him, &c. This doxology is admirably adapted to strengthen our faith, that we may not stagger at the great things the apostle has been praying for, as if they were too much for God to give, or for us to expect to receive from him. Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, &c. Here is a most beautiful gradation. When God has given us abundant, yea, exceeding abundant blessings, still we may ask for more, and he is able to give, or do for us,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ephesians 3:1-21

God’s wisdom and love displayed (3:1-21)It was because Paul had taken the gospel to the Gentiles that he was imprisoned in the first place (Acts 21:27-36). Yet he feels humbled to think that God should graciously choose him for such a noble work (3:1-2). As a Jew he was once proud of his belief that only Jews were God’s people. Even if some of the ‘far off’ Gentiles believed in God, they were still not God’s covenant people in the sense that Jews were. Now God’s special revelation shows Paul... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ephesians 3:20

That = Who. exceeding abundantly . Literally beyond (Greek. huper) of (Greek. ek) abundance = infinitely. above . Greek. huper. App-104 . all = all things. power . Same as "might" Ephesians 3:16 . worketh . See Ephesians 1:11 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.THE DOXOLOGYExceeding abundantly ... As Bruce said, "This is another one of Paul's "super-superlatives," coined to express God's capacity to transcend all that we ask or think."[44] As Paul concluded the prayer, it never occurred to him that in asking God to make the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 3:20

20. unto him—contrasted with ourselves and our needs. Translate, "that is able above all things (what is above all things) to do exceeding abundantly above what we ask or (even) think": thought takes a wider range than prayers. The word, above, occurs thrice as often in Paul's writings, as in all the rest of the New Testament, showing the warm exuberance of Paul's spirit. according to the power—the indwelling Spirit (Romans 8:26). He appeals to their and his experience. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 3:3-21

II. THE CHRISTIAN’S CALLING 1:3-3:21". . . the first three chapters are one long prayer, culminating in the great doxology at the end of chapter 3. There is in fact nothing like this in all Paul’s letters. This is the language of lyrical prayer, not the language of argument, and controversy, and rebuke." [Note: William Barclay, The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, p. 76.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 3:20-21

C. Doxology 3:20-21"The doxology is plainly the climax of the first half of Ephesians; it may be regarded as the climax of the whole letter, which rises to a spiritual peak at this point and then concentrates on practical outworkings." [Note: Wood, pp. 52-53.] ". . . doctrine leads to doxology as well as to duty." [Note: Stott, p. 45.] The basis for Paul’s confidence that God is able to do far beyond what he had prayed for or could even imagine was God’s bringing Jews and Gentiles together in... read more

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