Ephesians 3:18

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; MAY BE ABLE - even still further: [ exischuseete (G1840)] 'May be fully able.' BREADTH, AND LENGTH, AND DEPTH, AND HEIGHT - namely, the full dimensions of the spiritual temple, answering to "the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19), to which the Church, according to its capacity, ought to correspond (cf. Ephesians 4:10; Ephesians 4:13 as to "the fullness of Christ"). The "breadth" implies Christ's worldwide love, embracing all men; the "length," its extension through all...

18._May be able to comprehend. _The second fruit is, that the Ephesians should perceive the greatness of Christ’s love to men. Such an apprehension or knowledge springs from faith. By desiring that they should comprehend it _with all saints, _he shows that it is the most excellent blessing which they can obtain in the present life; that it is the highest wisdom, to which all the children of God aspire. What follows is sufficiently clear in itself, but has hitherto been darkened by a variety of interpretations. Augustine is quite delighted with his own acuteness, which throws no light on the subject. Endeavouring to discover some kind of mysterious allusion to the figure of the cross, he makes the _breadth _to be love, — the _height, _hope, — the _length, _patience, and the _depth, _humility. This is very ingenious and entertaining: but what has it to do with Paul’s meaning? Not more, cer...

13-19 The apostle seems to be more anxious lest the believers should be discouraged and faint upon his tribulations, than for what he himself had to bear. He asks for spiritual blessings, which are the best blessings. Strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man; strength in the soul; the strength of faith, to serve God, and to do our duty. If the law of Christ is written in our hearts, and the love of Christ is shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. Where his Spirit dwells, there he dwells. We should desire that good affections may be fixed in us. And how desirable to have a fixed sense of the love of God in Christ to our souls! How powerfully the apostle speaks of the love of Christ! The breadth shows its extent to all nations and ranks; the length, that it continues from everlasting to everlasting; the depth, its saving those who are sunk into the depths of sin and misery;...

Verse 18. _MAY BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND WITH ALL SAINTS_] ινα εξισχυσητε καταλαβεσθαι. These words are so exceedingly nervous and full of meaning, that it is almost impossible to translate them. The first word, εξισχυσητε, from εξ, _intensive_, and ισχυω, _to be strong_, signifies that they might be _thoroughly able,_ by having been _strengthened with might_, by God's _power_. The second word καταλαβεσθαι, from κατα, _intensive_, and λαμβανω, to _take, catch_, or _seize on_, may be translated, _that ye may fully_ _catch, take in_, and _comprehend this wonderful mystery of God_. The mind must be rendered apt, and the soul invigorated, to take in and _comprehend_ these mysteries. _WHAT_ IS _THE BREADTH, AND LENGTH, AND DEPTH, AND HEIGHT_] Here the apostle still keeps up the metaphor, comparing the Church of God to a building; and as, in order to rear a proper buil

MAY BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND WITH ALL SAINTS - That all others with you may be able to understand this. It was his desire that others, as well as they, might appreciate the wonders of redemption. WHAT IS THE BREADTH, AND LENGTH, ... - It has been doubted to what this refers. Locke says it refers to the mystery of calling the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Chandler supposes there is an allusion in all this to the temple at Ephesus. It was one of the wonders of the world - exciting admiration by its length, and height, and dimensions in every way, as well as by its extraordinary riches and splendor. In allusion to this, the object of so much admiration and pride to the Ephesians, he supposes that Paul desires that they should become fully acquainted with the extent and beauty of the spiritual temple. But I do not see that there is clear evidence that there is allusion here to the temple at Eph...

EXPOSITION EPHESIANS 3:1 DIGRESSION ON THE ADMISSION OF THE GENTILES TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. EPHESIANS 3:1 FOR THIS CAUSE. The reference is not merely to the last statement or illustration, but to the whole view of the purpose of God toward the Gentiles unfolded in Ephesians it. The apodosis does not come in till verse 14, at the beginning of which this conjunctive clause is repeated. I PAUL, THE PRISONER OF CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU GENTILES. He introduces himself in order to make known the feelings which w

MAY BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND WITH ALL SAINTS,.... This is the end of their being rooted and grounded in love, that they, together with the rest of the saints interested in it, might have a larger and more comprehensive view of WHAT IS THE BREADTH, AND LENGTH, AND DEPTH, AND HEIGHT; not of God himself, who is incomprehensible by finite minds, and is not to be found out to perfection; see Job 11:7 but either of the great mystery of salvation, particularly the mystery of the calling of the Gentiles mentioned in the beginning of the chapter; or of the spiritual building, the church, the dimensions of which are given, Revelation 21:15 or rather of the love of God, which in its length reaches from one eternity to another; in its breadth to all the elect, in all ages, places, and natio

3. THE MYSTERY MADE KNOWN Chapter S 2:11-3:21 _ 1. The condition of the Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11)_ 2. But now in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:13) 3. The new and great relationship (Ephesians 2:19) 4. The Mystery made known and Paul's ministry (Ephesians 3:1) 5. The prayer (Ephesians 3:14) 6. The doxology (Ephesians 3:20) With the eleventh verse of the second chapter we reach a new divisio

THE WRITER'S PRAYER FOR HIS READERS. Kneeling, in a very ecstasy of prayer, before the Father who is the source and prototype of all fatherly relationship whether on earth or in heaven, the writer prays that, in a degree commensurate with the wealth of the Divine glory, his readers may be granted power and strength through the Spirit unto inner spiritual growth; that the indwelling of Christ in their hearts may through faith be realised; that Christian love may come to be the very root and foundation of their being; and that so they may be given strength to share with all God's holy people the comprehension of the length and breadth and height and depth (of God's glorious purpose) and the knowledge of that love of Christ which is beyond all knowledge, and be made spiritually full unto the measure of the fulness of God Himself (Ephesians 3:14). God can do that and more: His power the po

PRISON AND PRIVILEGES (Ephesians 3:1-13) To understand the connection of thought in this passage it has to be noted that Ephesians 3:2-13 are one long parenthesis. The for this cause of Ephesians 3:14 takes up again and resumes the for this cause of Ephesians 3:1. Someone has spoken of Paul's habit of "going off at a word." A single word or idea can send his thoughts off at a tangent. When he speaks of himself as "the prisoner of Christ," it makes him think of the universal love of God and of his part in bringing that love to the Gentiles. In...