ephesians-3:16-17

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:13-19

13-19 The apostle seems to be more anxious lest the believers should be discouraged and faint upon his tribulations, than for what he himself had to bear. He asks for spiritual blessings, which are the best blessings. Strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man; strength in the soul; the strength of faith, to serve God, and to do our duty. If the law of Christ is written in our hearts, and the love of Christ is shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. Where his Spirit dwells, there he... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Ephesians 3:1-99

Ephesians 3 HAVING PRESENTED US with this great unfolding of truth, Paul commences to exhort us to walk in a way that shall be worthy of such an exalted vocation. This may be seen if the first verses of chapters 3 and 4 are read together. The whole of chapter 3 excepting verse Eph_3:1 , is a parenthesis, in which he points out how definitely the Lord had entrusted to him the ministry of all this truth which he calls, “the mystery” and in which he again puts on record that which he prayed for... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Ephesians 3:14-19

The apostle's petition for the Church, which includes an exhortation: v. 14. for this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, v. 15. of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, v. 16. that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His spirit in the inner man; v. 17. that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, v. 18. may be able to comprehend with all... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Ephesians 3:14-19

2. The Apostle’s petition with an exhortation for the church(Ephesians 3:14-19)14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ [omit 15of our Lord Jesus Christ],33 Of [From] whom the whole [every] family in heaven and [on] earth is named, 16That he would grant34 you, according to the riches35 of his glory, to be strengthened with might by [through] his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by [through] faith; that ye, being rooted 18and... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - Ephesians 3:16

EPHESIANS STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT Eph_3:16 In no part of Paul’s letters does he rise to a higher level than in his prayers, and none of his prayers are fuller of fervour than this wonderful series of petitions. They open out one into the other like some majestic suite of apartments in a great palace-temple, each leading into a loftier and more spacious hall, each drawing nearer the presence-chamber, until at last we stand there. Roughly speaking, the prayer is divided into four petitions,... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - Ephesians 3:17

EPHESIANS THE INDWELLING CHRIST Eph_3:17 We have here the second step of the great staircase by which Paul’s fervent desires for his Ephesian friends climbed towards that wonderful summit of his prayers-which is ever approached, never reached,-’that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.’ Two remarks of an expository character will prepare the way for the lessons of these verses. The first is as to the relation of this clause to the preceding. It might appear at first sight to be... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Ephesians 3:14-21

the Greatest of All Desires Ephesians 3:14-21 The kernel of this prayer is in the clause that Christ may make His home in the believer’s heart through faith. The previous petitions lead up to this. Note the Apostle’s attitude-with bended knee; his plea with God-that He is the Father from whom all family love emanates; his measure-the wealth of God’s glorious perfection; the necessary preliminary to Christ’s indwelling-the penetration of our inmost being with the strength of the Holy Spirit.... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 3:1-21

God's dwelling in the Church is not finality. It is equipment for the fulfillment of the divine purpose. The apostle claims a stewardship in the mystery of the Church, and declares the astounding fact that "unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the Church the manifold wisdom of God." In his Corinthian letter the apostle showed that the Word of the Cross is the wisdom of God. Therefore, through the Church is to come the proclamation to the... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 3:17

LOVE BASED ON KNOWLEDGE‘Rooted and grounded in love.’ Ephesians 3:17 Sentimental love is seldom the genuine article, since those who feel most say the least. And the idea that religion should be grounded on sentiment, and reserved for those who ‘have a genius for it,’ is utterly false. It was intended for all men, not merely to gratify natural tastes and aptitudes. It should act at first on the heart as a strong remedy, not as a soporific to lull it into false security. It is hardly a paradox... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 3:14-17

‘For this reason I bow my knees to the Father from whom every Fatherhood in Heaven and on earth is named, that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.’ Paul now feels constrained to express his prayer on their behalf. Prison gave much time for praying and Paul used it to the full. Aware of the future they faced he prayed for their divine empowering without... read more