Ephesians 3:14-21
14 “For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and 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 height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.N ow to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
For this reason: Paul is praying to God that the church in Ephesus would marvel at God’s grace in including the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:8-13). This inclusion is the expression of Christ’s love. So, it is no surprise that Paul prayed that the Ephesians believers would know this love. This love is the power that can strengthen believers. If Christ’s love is known, believers will be filled with the fullness of God. Knowing Christ’s love is what it means to be filled with the fullness of God. So, being filled with the Spirit is not about performing certain religious tasks: It’s about knowing God’s love. When we know His love, we find rest and relaxation in Him and are consequently influenced by Him.
Beyond all that we ask: Paul is not speaking about name and claim theology, or prosperity theology. He has in focus God’s working within His children (Ephesians 3:14-19).
