Ephesians 3:14-21

Introduction:

Ephesians 3 records the second of two prayers Paul offers for the church.

In the first prayer (1:15–23), the emphasis is enlightenment—that believers would know what God has already given them in Christ.

But in this prayer, the emphasis shifts to enablement—that believers would live out those spiritual realities with strength and power.

Paul writes these words while imprisoned, yet he urges the church, “Do not lose heart at my tribulations for you.”Despite his suffering, Paul’s concern is not for himself.

His heart is fixed on the spiritual well-being of others. He is not focused on his chains, his circumstances, or his comfort—but on their growth in Christ.

This prayer also challenges the way we often pray. Too many of our prayers are focused on physical and material needs and fail to lay hold of the deeper, inner needs of the heart.

Paul does not pray for changed circumstances, but for changed people—strengthened in the inner man by the Spirit, rooted in love, and filled with the fullness of God.

This passage teaches us that the greatest need of the church is not external relief, but internal power.

1. (V14) For this reason I bow my knees

1. Strengthened by the Spirit (vv. 14–16)

a) For this reason

What reason?

(V16) The inner man would be strengthened

Paul doesn’t complain about his circumstances, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t suffering

He understands the people who read this epistle will suffer

He doesn’t pray for the physical blessings, he prays that God would meet the spiritual need

He understands the power in prayer, and the need for strength

We can effectively pray for our children because we understand their challenges and potential struggles that lie ahead, and that is Pauls heart for them

b) Bow my knees

In those days, Paul would have been handcuffed to a Roman guard, so here Paul is bowing down

To the Father, through the Son, and in the Holy Spirit

c) Position of Humility

The Bible doesn’t command certain positions in prayer..

Abraham stood before the Lord when he prayed for Sodom

Solomon was standing as he dedicate the temple

King David sat before the Lord and prayed

Jesus fell on His face at Gethsemane and prayed

Paul prays from a posture of humility and dependence.

He bows his heart and will to the Lord and asks him for what we need

d) Intercession

Paul interceding on their behalf

That they might be strengthened according to His power

We have intercession prayer every Sunday morning and its a time of bowing our knees as we intercede on behalf of others

1.1 (V15) From whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named

a) God is Father of both Jew and Gentile.

As a creator, God is the Father over each man, but as a savior, He is only the Father over those who believe

Jew and Gentile believers in unity within the body of Christ

1.2 (V16) He would grant you according to the riches of His glory

a) Riches of His glory

According to the riches of His glory

God’s abundant grace is part of the riches of His glory.

His unsearchable riches

That he might grant to you for the purpose that you may be strengthened

Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

1.3 To be strengthened with His might through the Spirit in the inner man

According to His riches, may the inner man be strengthened

a) Strengthen the inner man

Why does Paul pray for strength?

We are promised tribulations

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.””

Paul understands this well as he is sitting in prison

Paul can effectively pray because he knows the types of trials believers will suffer

He doesn’t pray that they will be removed from the trail, but that they will be strengthened

b) Strengthened with his might

The strength Paul prays for does not come from within ourselves—it comes from the Holy Spirit.

This is dynamis power, God’s enabling strength, at work in the believer’s inner life.

Jesus promised this power in Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…”

The apostles were effective in ministry not because of their education, experience, or natural abilities.

They were fishermen and tax collectors—but they were empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Their impact came from God’s power working through yielded lives.

c) The Holy Spirit strengthens believers by:

Empowering the inner life

Shaping Christlike character

Enabling victory over sin

Anchoring us in truth

Assuring us of our identity in Christ

Sustaining us in prayer

Empowering obedience and faithful witness

However, this strengthening is not automatic. We must yield to the Holy Spirit and be continually renewed through the Word, prayer, and holy living. Paul prays for strength in the inner man because we are engaged in a real spiritual battle—one that cannot be won with human strength alone.

Paul’s prayer for inner strength leads us naturally to the arena where that strength is constantly required—the battlefield of the mind.

d) The battle of the mind

Here are 5 biblical principles that will help overcome the battle of the mind…

1. Take your thoughts captive

-Every thought must be examined and brought under Christ’s authority.

-Truth exposes false narratives about God, self, and circumstances.

Ask: Is this thought true according to God’s Word—or is it a lie I’m agreeing with?

2. Renew the Mind Daily

Key Text: Romans 12:2

-Be transformed by the renewing of your mind

-The Word of God reshapes how we think, desire, and respond.

Scripture should shape your thinking

3. Guard What Enters the Mind

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

-The mind is shaped by what it consumes.

-God commands intentional focus on what is true, pure, and praiseworthy.

4. Pray Continually

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray without ceasing,”

Philippians 4:6–7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

-Prayer replaces anxiety with peace that guards the mind.

-God’s peace stands watch over our thoughts when we pray.

Deliberately redirect your thoughts toward Christ, especially in moments of temptation or fear.

5. Put on the Armor God

Key Text: Ephesians 6:10–18

Helmet of salvation protects the mind from doubt and condemnation.

Belt of truth holds everything together.

Sword of the Spirit (the Word) is both defensive and offensive.

Practice: Fight lies with Scripture the way Jesus did (Matt. 4:1–11).

Colossians 1:11 “strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;”

1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

2. (V17) That Christ might dwell in your heart through faith

2. Rooted in Christ’s Love (vv. 17–19a)

a) Christ dwells in our heart through faith

The word dwell in Greek refers to a permanent home.

Jesus wants to settle down in your heart, not just visit as a stranger.

It’s faith that invites Christ into your heart

2.1 Being rooted and grounded in love

a) Rooted like a plant and grounded like a building

Paul uses two images to describe the believer’s foundation…

To be rooted speaks of a plant drawing life and nourishment from the soil.

To be grounded speaks of a building resting securely on a firm foundation.

In both cases, Paul is pointing us to the same truth: our lives are sustained and stabilized by love.

In context, Paul is speaking of the Jews and Gentiles coming together being rooted and grounded in love

They have many differences, yet God calls them and us to be rooted and grounded in our love for Christ and one another

b) The evidence of faith is your love

The evidence of genuine faith is love—not only love for God, but love for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Loving those who are kind and easy to be around comes naturally.

The true test of spiritual maturity is how we love when others rub us the wrong way.

When people criticize, talk badly about you, do things to hurt you

Loving them is not responding in a similar way, but rather praying for them and allowing yourself to be wronged for the sake of love

Loving others is not optional; it is commanded.

1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins

Romans 13:8 “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

b) The enemy would like nothing better than to divide the church

The enemy would like nothing better than to divide the church. He knows that when love erodes, unity weakens, witness suffers, and spiritual power is diminished.

But when believers remain rooted and grounded in Christ’s love, division loses its power, and the church stands firm.

2.2 (V18) That you may be able to comprehend

a) Completely comprehend His love

Paul is praying that completely comprehend width, length, and height of the love of Christ

Ephesians 1:18 “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,”

2.3 (V19) To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge

a) More than intellectual knowledge—experiential knowledge

When Paul prays that we would know the love of Christ, he is not speaking of mere intellectual awareness.

This is not simply knowing facts about Christ, doctrines about love, or verses we have memorized.

Paul is praying that we would experience Christ’s love personally and deeply.

At Calvary we are rich in the Word of God, with verse by verse teaching, multiple Bible studies throughout the week, and we memorize scripture

The trap we can fall into is to know a lot and apply none of it

This knowledge is relational, lived out, and transformative.

Paul prays not that we would simply understand Christ’s love, but that we would live in it—and be changed by it.

b) When Jewish and Gentile believers experienced God’s moral excellence and perfect love in Christ, barriers were broken down.

Experiencing Christ’s love transformed hostility into unity and enabled believers to love one another across deep divisions.

3. (V20) He is able to do more than we ask or think, according to His power that work in us

3.Filled With God’s Fullness for God’s Glory (vv. 20–21)

a) God’s Power at Work Within Us

God is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine—not by our strength, but through His power already at work within us.

Jew and Gentile in one body

Colossians 1:29 “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”

3.2 (V21) To Him be the glory in the church

a) To Christ be the glory, it has nothing to do with man, other than he’s the vessel God chose to use

In conclusion:

Paul bows his knees not because life is easy, but because God is faithful.

From prison, he prays for what believers need most—not changed circumstances, but strengthened hearts.

He knows the Spirit gives power for the inner life, Christ’s love keeps us steady, and God’s glory is revealed as His power works within His people.

This prayer reminds us that real spiritual strength comes through humility, dependence, and a life rooted in Christ’s love.

When we yield to the Holy Spirit, God does more than we could ever ask or imagine—for His glory in the church.

Question for Response:

Where do you need to stop relying on your own strength and trust God to work beyond what you can ask or imagine?