Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the 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, UNTO HIM - contrasted with ourselves and our needs. Translate, 'that is able to do beyond all things exceeding abundantly above what we ask or (even) think.' Thought takes a wider range than prayers. [ Huper (G5228), above, occurs thrice as often in Paul's writings as in all the rest of the New Testament, showing the warm exuberance of Paul's spirit.] ACCORDING TO THE POWER - the indwelling Spirit (Romans 8:26). He appeals to their and his experience....

20._Now to him. _He now breaks out into thanksgiving, which serves the additional purpose of exhorting the Ephesians to maintain “good hope through grace,” (2 Thessalonians 2:16,) and to endeavor constantly to obtain more and more adequate conceptions of the value of the grace of God. _Who is able. _(137) This refers to the future, and agrees with what we are taught concerning hope; and indeed we cannot offer to God proper or sincere thanksgivings for favors received, unless we are convinced that his goodness to us will be without end. When he says that God is _able, _he does not mean power viewed apart, as the phrase is, from the act, but power which is exerted, and which we actually feel. Believers ought always to connect it with the work, when the promises made to them, and their own salvation, form the subject of inquiry. Whateve

20,21 It is proper always to end prayers with praises. Let us expect more, and ask for more, encouraged by what Christ has already done for our souls, being assured that the conversion of sinners, and the comfort of believers, will be to his glory, for ever and ever....

Verse 20. _NOW UNTO HIM_] Having finished his short, but most wonderfully comprehensive and energetic _prayer_, the apostle brings in his _doxology_, giving praise to Him from whom all blessings come, and to whom all thanks are due. _THAT IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY_] It is impossible to express the full meaning of these words, God is _omnipotent_, therefore he is able to do all things, and able to do υπερ εκ περισσου, _superabundantly above the greatest abundance_. And who can doubt this, who has any rational or Scriptural views of his power or his love? _ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK_] We can _ask_ every good of which we have heard, every good which God has promised in his word; and we can _think_ of, or _imagine_, goods and blessings beyond all that we have either _read_ of or _seen_: yea, we can _imagine_ good things to which it is impossible for us to g

NOW UNTO HIM - It is not uncommon for Paul to utter an ascription of praise in the midst of an argument; see Romans 9:5; Romans 11:36; Galatians 1:5. Here his mind is full of the subject; and in view of the fact that God communicates to his people such blessings - that they may become filled with all his fulness, he desires that praise should be given to him. THAT IS ABLE TO DO - see the notes, Romans 16:25. EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY - The compound word used here occurs only in this place, and in 1Th 3:10

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

NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY,.... This is the conclusion of the apostle's prayer, in which the power of God is celebrated, a perfection which is essential unto God, and is very large and extensive; it reaches to all things, to every thing that he wills, which is his actual or ordinative power; and to more things than he has willed, which is his absolute power; and to all things that have been, are, or shall be, and to things impossible with men; though there are some things which God cannot do, such as are contrary to his nature, inconsistent with his will, his decrees and purposes, which imply a contradiction, and are foreign to truth, which to do would be to deny himself: but then he can do ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK; he can do more than men ask for, as he did for Solomon: God knows what we want before we ask, and he has made provisions for his people befor...

EPHESIANS 3:20 u`pe,r {A} Because of its apparent redundancy several witnesses (î46 D E F G itd, g vg Ambrosiaster) omit u`pe,r....

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