“The utter uniqueness of our Christian faith is that it begins with the love of God, a love that has no motive other than . . . love. As…John Owen puts it, ‘The greatest sorrow and burden you can lay on the Father, the greatest unkindness you can do to him is not to believe that he loves you.’” (William Edgar, “Theological Reflections on the True Nature of Friendship,” in Theology for Ministry, p.556)
In response to the Father’s great reconciling grace, Paul asks Him to strengthen us to be able to experience–along with all the saints–the incomprehensible love of Christ for us, and then to express that same love toward one another.
I. THE INTRODUCTION TO PAUL’S PRAYER (3:14-16a)
II. PAUL’S PRAYER (3:16b-19)
A. Rooted and Grounded (vv.16b-17).
“These Christians are to be rooted and grounded, or to have ‘deep roots and firm foundations’(NEB). Thus Paul likens them first to a well-rooted tree, and then to a well-built house. In both cases the unseen cause of their stability will be the same: love. Love is to be the soil in which their life is to be rooted; love is to be the foundation on which their life is built.” (John Stott, Ephesians, 136)
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B. Growing in Knowing (vv.18-19a)
“[T]he deep things of God are more likely to be apprehended by his children in fellowship one with another than in isolation. The idea that spiritual illumination is most likely to be received by followers of the solitary life has been widely held: Paul does not appear to have favored it either for himself or for his Christian friends.” (F.F. Bruce, NICNT, Ephesians, p.328)
“You are more wicked than you ever dared believe, and yet you are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than you ever dared hope.” ― Timothy Keller
C. Filled with Infinite Fullness (v.19b)
III…PAUL’S DOXOLOGY (3:20-21)
“The infinite ability of God to work beyond our prayers, thoughts and dreams is by the power at work within us, within us individually (Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith) and within us as a people (who are the dwelling place of God by his Spirit). It is the power of the resurrection, the power which raised Christ from the dead, enthroned him in the heavenlies, and then raised and enthroned us there with him. That is the power which is at work within the Christian and the church.” (John Stott, Ephesians, 140)
“It is impossible to ask God for too much. His capacity for giving far exceeds his people’s capacity for asking – or even imagining.” (F.F. Bruce, NICNT, Ephesians, 330)
APPLICATION:
1. Knowing and experiencing God’s love for us personally.
2. Loving our brothers and sisters with the same love we have received from God.
“When I become bitter or unforgiving toward others, I’m assuming that the sins of others are more serious than my sins against God. The cross transforms my perspective. Through the cross I realize that no sin committed against me will ever be as serious as the innumerable sins I’ve committed against God.” (C.J. Mahaney, Living the Cross Centered Life, p.154)