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14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,(A) 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love,(B) 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth,(C) 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.(D)

20 Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us,(E) 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:14–15 Every family: in the Greek there is wordplay on the word for the Father (patria, patēr). The phrase could also mean “God’s whole family” (cf. Eph 2:21).

Prayer for the Readers

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.

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The Love of Christ

14 For this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name. 16 I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, 17 and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, 18 (A)so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love. 19 Yes, may you come to know his love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.

20 To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of: 21 to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen.

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14 For this reason I (A)bend my knees before the Father, 15 from whom [a]every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to (B)the riches of His glory, to be (C)strengthened with power through His Spirit in (D)the inner [b]self, 17 so that (E)Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being (F)rooted and (G)grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with (H)all the [c]saints what is (I)the width and length and height and depth, 19 and to know (J)the love of Christ which (K)surpasses knowledge, that you may be (L)filled to all the (M)fullness of God.

20 (N)Now to Him who is (O)able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, (P)according to the power that works within us, 21 (Q)to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations [d]forever and ever. Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 3:15 Or the whole
  2. Ephesians 3:16 Lit person
  3. Ephesians 3:18 See note v 8
  4. Ephesians 3:21 Lit of the age of the ages

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel(A) before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches(B) he may strengthen you with power(C) through his Spirit in your inner being,(D) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts(E) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted(F) and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,(G) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep(H) is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge(I)—that you may be filled(J) to the measure of all the fullness of God.(K)

20 Now to him who is able(L) to do immeasurably more than all we ask(M) or imagine, according to his power(N) that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.(O)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).