By The Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read Ephesians 3:13-21

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 3:14)

The Rev. Ron Purkey

You will recall that the two prayers in Ephesians (here and in Ephesians 1:15-23) complement each other. The first is a prayer for enlightenment; the second is for enablement.

Paul wants the Ephesians to learn all they have in Christ and then live what they have learned. He prays for God’s family in heaven and earth, for that is where his family is; none are “under the earth” (see Philippians 2:10).

This means there is no purgatory where people are being prepared for heaven. He prays the inner person might know spiritual strength. How carelessly some Christians treat the inner person! The Holy Spirit empowers us from within through the word of God and prayer.

In verses 20-21, Paul points out as we pray, God’s Spirit goes to work in us; and 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (along with Colossians 3:16) teaches God empowers us through his word. The early saints gave themselves to “prayer and the word of God” (Acts 6:4), and God worked mightily in them and through them.

Paul wanted Christ to “feel at home” (verse 17) in their hearts. Christ feels at home in our hearts when he finds faith and love. “Rooted” (verse 17) suggests a steady position, a habit of faith and love, like a tree rooted in the soil. Too many Christians want the fruits of the Spirit without being rooted in spiritual things.

“Comprehend” in verse 18 is better translated be “apprehend — lay hold of.” Paul has already prayed they might understand; now he prays they might lay their hands on these wonderful blessings and grasp them for themselves. By faith we lay hold of God’s promises. Paul especially wants them to lay hold of God’s immeasurable love, a love that fills all things. Far too many Christians think of God as an angry judge or a stern master instead of a loving father.

“Filled with all the fullness of God” (verse 19): this is God’s ultimate purpose for our lives. Read carefully John 1:16 and Colossians 2:9-10. “You are complete in him” states Colossians 2:10. Why live like paupers when God has given us his fullness? An empty life is disappointing and dangerous; if the Holy Spirit of God does not fill us, then the spirit of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2) goes to work and we fall into sin.

Ephesians 3:20-21 declare a thrilling benediction, closing this first section of the letter. God works in us! God works through us! God is glorified in us! What a wonderful salvation we have!

This power works in us as we open our hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ, cultivate this abiding fellowship, pray, and submit to the word. There is no reason for us believers to be “down in the dumps” when we are seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6) and filled with God’s fullness.

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.