The Immeasurable Greatness of God’s Power

Ephesians 3:20 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

Introduction to Ephesians 3:20

Ephesians 3:20 is a glorious doxology that marks the conclusion of a prayer in the third chapter of Ephesians. This passage serves as a powerful climax to Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians to be strengthened with power, to grasp the love of Christ, and to be filled with the fullness of God. This verse is both an expression of praise to God and a declaration of His ability to go beyond human understanding and imagination.

Detailed Commentary

1. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think:
   • Now to him who is able: This refers to God, the One who possesses all power and ability. There is an emphasis here on His omnipotence, and the language used underscores the boundless nature of His power.
   • Far more abundantly beyond: This string of superlatives emphasizes that God’s ability far exceeds anything we can imagine. It’s a powerful statement on the infinite nature of God’s power and willingness.
   • All that we ask or think: This is a comprehensive statement. God’s ability surpasses not only what we pray for but also what we can even conceive in our minds. It’s a limitless statement that captures both our expressed desires (ask) and our unspoken thoughts (think).
2. According to the power that works within us:
   • According to: This phrase links God’s ability to work beyond our asking or thinking with the power that is operative within believers. It’s not an abstract or distant power but a power that is at work in the lives of God’s people.
   • The power that works within us: This refers to the divine power, the Holy Spirit-inspired word, working within the lives of believers. It’s a biblically active, ongoing operation that empowers, transforms, and leads the children of God.

Thematic Insights and Application

• The Infinite Ability of God: This verse places the spotlight on God’s boundless ability. It’s not limited by human thoughts, expectations, or even prayers. It’s an ability that encompasses and transcends all human understanding.
• God’s Willingness to Act: The verse doesn’t just speak of God’s ability; it speaks of His willingness to act on behalf of His people. The use of superlatives emphasizes that He is not just willing but abundantly willing to act.
• The Power of Prayer: Though God can do beyond what we ask, the context includes a prayer, highlighting the importance and potency of prayer. It encourages believers to approach God in prayer with confidence and expectancy.
• The Indwelling Power: The power that works within us is not our own but God’s. It’s a powerful reminder of the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit-inspired Word in the life of a believer. This transformative power enables believers to live a life that honors God. There is no indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We are guided by the Spirit-inspired Word of God. The words translated “understand” in 1 Corinthians 2:12 and 14 are best understood as meaning something other than simply acquiring a correct mental grasp of meaning. They refer rather to embracing these biblical truths as true. It is probably best to see the expressions “does not accept,” “folly,” and “not able to understand” as referring to various ways in which the unbeliever critiques the divine revelation. 1 Corinthians 2:14 does not mean the unbeliever cannot understand the Bible without the Holy Spirit. It means the unbeliever sees it as foolish and rejects its truths.
• Encouragement in Trials: This passage offers great encouragement in times of difficulty or uncertainty. Knowing that God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine provides comfort and strength, particularly when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.
• Inspiration for Faith: Understanding God’s infinite ability should inspire faith and boldness. If God is for us and is able to do beyond what we can even conceive, what should we fear? It inspires trust in God’s plans and purposes.
• A Call to Humility: Recognizing that God’s ways and abilities are far beyond our comprehension calls us to humility. We don’t have all the answers, and we can’t see all that God is doing. We are called to trust Him even when we don’t understand.
• Glorifying God: Ultimately, this verse is a doxology, a word of praise to God. The recognition of God’s power and ability should lead us to worship. It’s not just about what He can do for us; it’s about who He is.

Conclusion

Ephesians 3:20 is a profound and powerful verse that exalts God’s limitless ability and willingness to work on behalf of His people. It’s not just a statement about what God can do; it’s a statement about who God is. His power is not an abstract concept but is actively at work within believers who are biblically-minded, possessing the mind of Christ, transforming them, and enabling them to live for His glory.

This verse encourages believers to pray with faith, live with confidence, and trust with humility. It challenges us to recognize that our God is not a limited God. He’s not confined by our requests, our thoughts, or our circumstances. He is infinitely able, and He is at work within us.

Moreover, Ephesians 3:20 calls us to a life of worship. Understanding God’s infinite power and grace should lead us to our knees in praise and adoration. It reminds us that we serve a God who is worthy of all glory and honor, not just for what He does but for who He is. This is a God who can be trusted, a God who loves immeasurably, and a God who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.

Bible Background

3:20. A Doxology of Praise: The Superabundance of God’s Power

The One Who Is Able to Do Far More (3:20).

In this climactic doxology, Paul focuses on the overwhelming and limitless nature of God’s power. It’s a reminder of God’s incomparable ability to exceed all human expectations or understanding. This emphasis reflects a profound theological perspective on God’s nature and works. The language of abundance, of going beyond all that we ask or even conceive, elevates God’s power to an extraordinary level.

This praise is particularly significant when considering the context in which the Ephesian believers lived. Ephesus was a city steeped in various religious and mystical practices, including magic, worship of underworld deities, and astrology. The prevalence of these spiritual practices likely contributed to the Ephesians’ concerns about the evil principalities and powers that opposed them.

By underscoring God’s unparalleled power, Paul seeks to reassure the believers that no hostile spiritual forces can surpass the might of God. His language is designed to instill confidence in the face of spiritual opposition and to encourage reliance on the strength that comes from God.

The Power Working Within Us.

Paul does not merely speak of God’s power as an abstract concept. He emphasizes that this same superabundant power is at work within the believers themselves. This idea ties back to the broader themes of the epistle, where the power of the Holy Spirit is a recurrent focus.

The power that works within believers is not their own; it’s God’s power, directed and activated by His will. It’s a source of empowerment that equips them to live the Christian life, to overcome challenges, and to stand firm against spiritual opposition.

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit does not indwell unbelievers. Instead, we are guided by the Spirit-inspired Word of God. The words “understand” in 1 Corinthians 2:12 and 14 do not refer to simply having a correct mental grasp of meaning. They refer to embracing these biblical truths as true. Unbelievers, on the other hand, do not accept these truths. They see them as foolish and reject them.

In other words, unbelievers are not able to understand the Bible in the same way that believers can. This is not because they lack the mental capacity to understand it. It is because they have rejected the truth of the Bible and do not want to believe it.

This passage from 1 Corinthians is a reminder that we should not expect unbelievers to understand the Bible in the same way that we do. They do not have the same spiritual insight that we do, and they are not open to the truth of the Bible. However, we can still share the Bible with them and pray that they will come to know the truth.

Ephesians 3:20 serves as a powerful reminder of the limitless nature of God’s power, both in the abstract and in its practical application in the lives of believers. It’s a statement that resonates deeply within the context of the spiritual climate in Ephesus and the wider region of Asia Minor. The assurance of God’s superabundant power, working within His people stands as a beacon of hope and encouragement, reinforcing the truth that no spiritual forces, however hostile, can surpass the might of God.

By focusing on the absolute sovereignty and might of God, Paul brings the prayer to a triumphant conclusion, encouraging believers to trust in the One who can do immeasurably more than they could ever ask or imagine. It’s a call to faith and reliance on God’s power, affirming His supremacy over all other spiritual influences and forces.

Answering Our Prayers According to God’s Will and Purposes

Ephesians 3:20 is a powerful verse that speaks to the unlimited capabilities and sovereign power of God. However, it does not mean that God is like a genie that will fulfill a person’s every wish or desire. A closer look at the context and proper Biblical interpretation reveals the true meaning.

1. Context of Ephesians: The entire letter to the Ephesians is deeply theological and focuses on the spiritual blessings, unity, and purpose of the Church in Christ. Ephesians 3:14-21 is a prayer of Paul for the Ephesians that they might grasp the love of Christ and be filled with the fullness of God. This prayer is not for personal or material gain but spiritual wisdom and understanding.
2. God’s Sovereign Will: The Bible consistently teaches that God’s will and purposes are paramount. 1 John 5:14 makes it clear that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. God’s will often transcends human understanding, and His purposes are higher than our desires (Isaiah 55:8-9).
3. The Nature of Prayer: The primary purpose of prayer is not to get what we want but to align ourselves with God’s will. It’s a means of communion with God, where we seek His guidance, wisdom, and presence. Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39) models this when He prays, “Not as I will, but as you will.”
4. The Power at Work Within Us: Ephesians 3:20 specifically refers to the “power at work within us.” This power is not human ability but the work of God in the believer’s life. It’s an acknowledgment that God’s power can accomplish spiritual growth, transformation, and alignment with His purposes far beyond what we can even imagine.
5. Focus on Spiritual, Not Material: The context of Ephesians and the broader teaching of Scripture emphasizes spiritual growth, maturity, and alignment with God’s purposes rather than personal or material gain.

Ephesians 3:20 is not a promise that God will grant any wish or desire but a profound statement of God’s ability to accomplish His purposes in and through us. It’s a call to trust in His power and align our lives and prayers with His sovereign and perfect will.

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