It Starts Small

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. ¹⁶ I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, ¹⁷ and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, ¹⁹ and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-20

Paul fervently continues the thought process ignited in verse 1. He veers onto a captivating side point. He speaks about the profound mystery. This mystery is the beautiful uniting of Gentiles and Jews within the church. This isn’t just a casual mention; he has already delved into this awe-inspiring truth in chapter two. When he refers to “this reason,” he passionately highlights the transformative message from chapter two. Believers, once dead in sins, are now vibrantly alive in Christ! The Gentiles, who were once strangers and aliens, have now been embraced as fellow citizens of God’s glorious household!

Paul was filled with awe at God’s magnificent eternal purposes and flawless plan for both Jews and Gentiles. His heart overflowed with the desire to bow in fervent worship. God is utterly sovereign, crafting divine plans filled with goodness for His beloved people. This glorious truth compels us to humbly bow our knees before Him, praising Him with every beat of our hearts.

It is absolutely essential to immerse ourselves in the rich context of verse 15! Just like the rest of this powerful chapter, it speaks to the beautiful community of believers within the church. Unbelievers do not carry the glorious name of God. Only those who ardently follow Christ can claim that honor! In Christ, every devoted family is a treasured part of God’s own. It transcends all boundaries of ethnicity. It unites us in His divine love.

What does it truly mean that we draw our very name from God? We are not just Christians; we are fervent believers whose spirits are ignited by our divine connection! Our relationship with God is the very bedrock of our identity, shaping every thought and action. When the world gazes upon us, they should see the radiant light of God reflected in our lives! When we act with righteousness, we offer glory to His name. However, when we falter, it raises questions about the goodness of our God. Jesus Himself warned us that the world would despise us, for it first rejected Him. Our deeds are a direct outpouring of our relationship with Christ, eternally proclaiming His truth and love!

The rest of this section is a profound benediction. It serves as a powerful conclusion to the first half of the book of Ephesians. This conclusion comes before the transformative second half takes flight. The first half passionately reveals the essence of doctrine. The latter half boldly calls believers to live out that truth in their daily lives. Paul’s epistles are renowned for culminating in an uplifting benediction. This benediction extols God’s glory and passionately invokes His blessings. It urges the believers toward a deeper faith. It’s similar to a two-part sermon. The benediction serves as a stirring bridge. It ignites the heart for what is to come.

In verses 16-18, Paul is invoking God’s blessings on the Ephesians. We may not notice it, but we also invoke God’s blessings on others when we say things like:

“May God bless you.”
“God’s peace be with you.”
“May God comfort you during this time.”

When we engage in this profound act, we should lift up the person in prayer. This mirrors how Paul passionately interceded for the believers he taught. Paul’s heart’s desire is for them to be empowered. He wishes for their faith to flourish. He wants them to grasp the immeasurable depth of God’s love. In verses 20-21, he triumphantly concludes the benediction with a resounding praise for God. In verse 20, he boldly acknowledges that God has incredible power. God can accomplish far more than anything he could ever hope or dream to ask for.

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Cross Reference:

• Psalms 95:6
• Ephesians 1:10
• Ephesians 2:19
• Psalms 107:43
• Romans 11:33

Reflective Questions:

• Paul says, “for this reason I bow my knees…”. For what reason?
• What is the main point of 14-21?
• What does verse 15 mean?
• How can we or anyone derive their name from God?
• Is Paul praying starting in verse 16?
• If not, what is he doing?
• Comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of what?

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