Rooted in Love

Paul's prayer for the Ephesian believers.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-21

“For this reason I kneel before the Father,”

Paul’s opening phrase connects back to the beginning of the chapter, specifically to his discussion of the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:1-13). "For this reason," refers to the grace given to the Gentiles and the unifying work of Christ in bringing together Jew and Gentiles into one body. Paul prays on his knees, revealing his deep reverence for God and his humility in entering into prayer. We also see how earnest and sincere he is in praying for the Ephesian believers.

“from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,”

Paul acknowledges that God is the Father of all, the source of every family, both spiritual (in heaven) and here on earth. The phrase highlights God’s sovereignty and the unity of all believers under one Father. Here's the thing, in this context, "family" can also mean a spiritual lineage, indicating that all who are in Christ are part of the same family, regardless of ethnic or cultural background. (Brothers and Sisters in Christ, literally!)

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”

Paul prays that God grants the Ephesian believers strength, but this strength is not physical; rather it’s an inner, spiritual strength, that comes from the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live out their faith. The phrase “according to the riches of his glory” signifies that God’s resources are beyond measure, capable of providing abundant strength to His people.

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,”

Paul’s prayer continues with a petition that Christ dwells in their hearts through faith. "Dwell" suggests that Christ has taken-up residence and His presence is not a temporary visit. This indwelling of Christ is essential for our spiritual life. Being "rooted and grounded in love" mixes metaphors a bit (one horticultural and the other architectural) to emphasise stability and a deep foundation build in/on the love of Christ. Here Christ's love is the soil and the foundation in which we grow and are built-up.

“may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God

Paul desires that the Ephesians would be able to grasp the full dimensions of Christ's love. He uses four physical dimensions (breadth, length, height, depth) to symbolise the vastness and completeness of Christ's love. This love is so immense that it "surpasses knowledge," meaning it has to be experienced to be known, even if we cannot fully understand it intellectually. The goal of our understanding is to be "filled with the fullness of God," which implies being completely satisfied and enriched by God's presence and character.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Anyone who is Anglican will readily recognise this verse as it is often used as a prayer of blessing. Paul frequently ends his prayer with a doxology (a hymn of praise), praising God’s ability to do far beyond what believers can ask or imagine. The "power at work within us" refers to the Holy Spirit's activity in us. Paul gives all glory to God, as we can claim no glory for anything, stressing that God's work in the church and through Christ will endure for all generations. This doxology reminds us that God is omnipotent and faithful.

Paul's prayer for the Ephesian believers comes straight from the heart as he prays seeking God to empower them spiritually. On bended knee he prays asking the Holy Spirit to spiritually strengthen them and that Christ would dwell within them, so they experience the vastness of Christ’s love and a taste of the fullness of God. The passage ends with a short hymn, a doxology acknowledging God's omnipotence and glory. Above all Paul’s prayer highlights the depth of God's love, the importance of spiritual strength, and our deep desire to be filled with God's presence.

Have a super week, and God Bless,

Trev.

PS: remember to pray for those who need it, (we could all do with some prayer!)