14Because of this I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [3:15] from whom every lineage in the heavens and on earth is named, [3:16] that he may give you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner man, [3:17] for Christ to dwell through faith in your hearts — rooted and founded in love — [3:18] so that you may be fully able to grasp with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, [3:19] and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God. [3:20] Now to the One being able to do super overexcessively above all that we ask or think, according to the power that is working in us, [3:21] to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all the generations of the age of the ages. Amen.
EPH 3:14-21
Paulʼs Prayer for the Ephesians
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, the term (patria) evoked the idea of a lineage or clan, often tied to ancestral identity and honor. For Paulʼs audience, this would resonate with the Jewish understanding of tribes and families, as well as the Roman emphasis on familial lineage and patronage. The prayerʼs focus on being 'rooted and founded' in love would evoke agricultural imagery familiar to both Jewish and Gentile listeners, suggesting stability and deep nourishment. The request for strength 'through the Spirit' aligns with Jewish expectations of divine empowerment, while the emphasis on Christ dwelling in their hearts would challenge Greco-Roman notions of divine presence, which were often tied to temples or sacred spaces. The expansive language of 'breadth, length, height, and depth' reflects Stoic and Platonic ideas of cosmic order, yet Paul redirects this to the surpassing knowledge of Christ, transcending both Jewish and pagan frameworks.
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How other translations render this
EPH 3:14
- KJV
- For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
- BSB
- ... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
- Koinōnos
- Because of this I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
EPH 3:15
- KJV
- Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
- BSB
- from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
- Koinōnos
- from whom every lineage in the heavens and on earth is named,
EPH 3:16
- KJV
- That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
- BSB
- I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,
- Koinōnos
- that he may give you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner man,
EPH 3:17
- KJV
- That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
- BSB
- so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love,
- Koinōnos
- for Christ to dwell through faith in your hearts — rooted and founded in love —
EPH 3:18
- KJV
- May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
- BSB
- will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth
- Koinōnos
- so that you may be fully able to grasp with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
EPH 3:19
- KJV
- And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
- BSB
- of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
- Koinōnos
- and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God.
EPH 3:20
- KJV
- 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,
- BSB
- Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,
- Koinōnos
- Now to the One being able to do super overexcessively above all that we ask or think, according to the power that is working in us,
EPH 3:21
- KJV
- Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
- BSB
- to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
- Koinōnos
- to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all the generations of the age of the ages. Amen.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
EPH 3:15
- family:The word translated 'family' here refers to a lineage or clan, emphasizing descent from a common ancestor, rather than just the immediate household.
EPH 3:16
- to be strengthened:The term used here for 'to be strengthened' implies an inner reinforcement, a robust and enduring power, not just a temporary boost.
EPH 3:17
- rooted:The word translated 'rooted' evokes the image of a plant with deep, firm roots, suggesting stability, security, and a strong foundation.
EPH 3:20
- super overexcessively:The word translated 'super overexcessively' is a compound term that intensifies the idea of abundance, meaning far beyond what is expected or imagined.