Abundantly beyond (huperekperissou from huper = above + ek = intensifies meaning, adding idea of exhaustlessness + perissos = exceeding some number or measure, over and above, more than necessary) means means surpassing, superabundantly, surpassingly, beyond measure, exceedingly, quite beyond all measure, overwhelming, over and above, more than enough. It describes an extraordinary degree, involving a considerable excess over what would be expected. As F F Bruce has said here we encounter another "one of Paul’s coined ‘super-superlatives'". Huperekperissou is the the highest form of comparison imaginable and so means immeasurably more than, quite beyond all measure, infinitely more than. Vincent writes that this is... One of the numerous compounds of huper - beyond, over and above, of which Paul is fond. Of 28 words compounded with this preposition in the New Testament, Paul alone uses 20. Huperekperissou is found only 3 times in all the Bible (Eph. 3:20; 1 Thess. 3:10; 5:13) For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly (huperekperissou - praying with extreme earnestness, pray as earnestly as possible) that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith? (1Thes 3:9-10) But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly (huperekperissou) in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. (1Thes 5:12-13) Exceeding abundantly beyond all that you could ask or think is the potential of God in every believer's life! This ascription of praise to God’s ability expresses our assurance of answered prayer. Why should we hesitate to offer our deepest petitions? David said “my cup overflows” (Ps 23:5) Believers can say “He brought me to the banquet hall and His banner over me is love” (Song 2:4) Constable writes that... 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 one body. With God’s provision of love, both groups could function harmoniously together in the church. Glory would come to God in the church for uniting these two previously irreconcilable groups and for enabling them to love and to work together as fellow members of the same body. This praise will continue forever. (Expository Notes) Wuest comments that the compound word huperekperissou is a superlative of superlatives in force. It speaks of the ability of God to do something, that ability having more than enough potential power, this power exhaustless, and then some on top of that. Thus, Paul says that God is able to do super-abundantly above and beyond what we ask or think, and then some on top of that. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans) Ask (154) (aiteo) means to ask for something to be given with a sense of urgency and even to the point of demanding. Aiteo reflects a request of one's will means to ask for, with a claim on receipt of an answer. Note the use middle voice which conveys the idea of asking for one’s self or in one’s own interest. Our highest aspirations are not beyond God’s power to grant. Jowett said something like this... What I have asked for is as nothing compared to the ability of my God to give. I’ve asked for a cupful, and the ocean remains. I’ve asked for a sunbeam, and the sun abides. My best asking falls immeasurably short of my Father’s giving. It’s beyond all that we can ask. Arthur T. Pierson once said that there is a sevenfold measure of the power of God is Paul's benediction. First, God’s able to do first what we ask. Second, He is able to do all that we ask. Third, He is able to do what we think. Fourth, He is able to do all that we think. Fifth, He is able to do above all that we ask or think. Sixth, He is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think. And seventh, He is able to do exceeding, abundant above all that we could ask or think. Now what do we need? Hallelujah and Amen is all that's left to say! O'Brien has an insightful note writing that... The apostle Paul was accustomed to asking God for extravagant blessings on behalf of his Christian readers (see notes Philippians 1:9; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:9; 1:10; 1:11; 1:12; 1:13; 1:14; 1Thess. 3:12; 2 Thes 1:3; cf. 1Cor 1:5). Here he has just petitioned the Father for spiritual blessings of extraordinary value, including the request that they might be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God. Armitage Robinson writes of this petition: No prayer that has ever been framed has uttered a bolder request. Has the apostle, then, gone over the top? No, for it is impossible to ask for too much since the Fathers giving exceeds their capacity for asking or even imagining. (O'Brien, P. T. The Letter to the Ephesians. W. B. Eerdmans. 1999 or computer version) Boice comments that... When Paul says “we” he includes himself. He is saying that even he, the great apostle, cannot fully understand or even imagine all that God is going to do for us. But Paul does know that God can do it. And not only is God able to do it, he is able to do it “immeasurably,” which means indefinitely. (Boice, J. M.: Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary) John Eadie writes that... God is able to do far “above what we ask,” for our asking is limited and feeble. John 16:24 ("Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full."). But there may be thoughts too sweeping for expression, there may be unutterable groanings prompted by the Spirit (See note Romans 8:26 -- "And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words"). And yet above and beyond our widest conceptions and most daring expectations is God “able to do.” God's ability to answer prayer transcends not only our spoken petitions, but far surpasses even such thoughts as are too big for words, and too deep for utterance. And still those desires which are dumb from their very vastness, and amazing from their very boldness, are insignificant requests compared with the power of God. For we know so little of His promises, and so weak is our faith in them, that we ask not, as we should, for their universal fulfilment; and though we did understand their depth and power, our loftiest imaginations of possible blessing would come infinitely short of the power and resources of the Hearer of prayer. (Ephesians 3:14 Commentary - Online) Think (3539) (noieo from noús = the mind) denotes clear perception, full understanding, and careful consideration. It means to perceive with thought coming into consciousness as distinct from the perception of senses. Exceeding abundantly above all that we ask - An Illustration: A preacher once lamented to the renowned preacher C H Spurgeon... “Mr. Spurgeon, I am seeing very few people saved.” To which Spurgeon replied with a question “Do you expect to see folk saved every time you preach?” The preacher answered “Why, no”. To which Spurgeon wisely quipped “That’s why you don’t!” ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKS WITHIN US: kata ten dunamin ten energoumenen (PMPFSA) en hemin: (Ep 3:7; 1:19; Col 1:29) According to (2596) (kata) means in proportion to ones largess! Not stingily. Not just a portion but a proportion! If I am a billionaire and I give you ten dollars, I have given you a portion (very small portion at that) out of my riches. But if I give you ten million dollars, I have given to you according to or more proportionate to my true wealth. The first giver would take it out of His riches and would be like Mr. Rockefeller who used to give his caddy a dime. God is not like Mr. Rockefeller, in either his wealth or generosity! Expositor's writes that... God's capacity to meet his people's spiritual needs far exceeds anything they can either request in prayer or conceive by way of anticipation (Philippians 4:7). It is actualized through his power (dynamis), which continually operates (energoumenen) within the lives of believers. (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary 6-Volume New Testament. Zondervan Publishing)