Ephesians.8

Doxology

Exceeding Expectations: A Doxology of Hope

Bible Passage: Ephesians 3:20–21

Summary: This passage expresses Paul’s confident prayer that God is capable of doing immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, and it emphasizes God's glory in the church through Christ Jesus.

1. Omnipotent God

Ephesians 3:20a “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”

The Attribute of Divine Power (3:20a)

This week we examine the ending of Paul’s prayer of Ephesians 3 with a prolonged look at the Father, the power behind all prayer. Paul identifies Him as the One who is “able”. This initial portion of verse 20 highlights the nature of God not merely as a distant creator, but as an active, potent force capable of intervening in the lives of His creation. It then shifts the focus from the human sphere described in the previous petitions to the foundational reality of divine providence, omnipotence.

He is Able

We see Paul uses the Greek root δυναμαι dunamai twice in this verse, here as the verb “able” and later as a noun “power”. It speaks of God having the divine ability with unlimited resources and strength to accomplish anything.

When we approach the throne of grace, we ask and are only seeing the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we could possibly ask for, and what our God is capable of doing. We are told to come with confidence, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:16). “Boldly” is παρρησία parresia in Greek, and it speaks of “a use of speech that conceals nothing and passes over nothing… a state of courage, confidence, boldness, and fearlessness, especially in the presence of persons of high rank, in this case the God of the universe. (definition from BDAG).

Our confidence will not insult the One who is able, but it is the thing He looks for.

2. Power Beyond Perception

Ephesians 3:20b “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”

The Scope of Divine Action (3:20b) God is Willing and Able

Paul asserts here that God is able to not just meet our needs but go way beyond. This portion of Ep 3:20 addresses the limitations of human imagination in prayer and compares it to God’s potential for intervention and blessing that far surpasses the horizons of human desire, intellectual capacity, or even the most profound spiritual requests one could formulate. God is willing and able.

Paul describes God's capacity to do 'exceedingly abundantly above all’. This is a wonderful construction in Greek, “δυναμένῳ ὑπὲρ πάντα ποιῆσαι ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ” which when expressed in plain English means, “He is divinely able above and beyond all things to do super abundantly, surpassing, and exceeding what we pray or could even conceive.” That’s incredibly what Paul put into that sentence.

Our understanding of God's capabilities can limit or expand our faith and expectations. This acknowledgment should inspire us to dream bigger in our prayers and rely on God's supernatural power, which far surpasses our meager human limitations.

Consider the story of William Wilberforce's fight to end the slave trade in Britain as a powerful narrative of depending on God for an exceedingly abundant answer in the face of overwhelming challenges. For decades, he faced ridicule and resistance from influential politicians and businessmen. However, through unwavering faith and tireless advocacy, the tide turned, and in 1807, Parliament passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. Wilberforce's story illustrates how a omnipotent God can empower individuals to bring about monumental societal change, exceeding what seemed humanly possible at the time.

What’s your monumental prayer for our omnipotent God?

3. Internal Empowerment

Ephesians 3:20c “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”

The Mechanism of Divine Operation (3:20c)

The power described is specifically “according to the power that works in us.” This is a crucial distinction in a doxology; it anchors God’s divine and overflowing ability within the center of the believer’s own life! It signifies that the same resurrection and reconciling power (discussed in chapters 1 and 2) is the active power behind God’s continued work within us and the church.

In Joshua chapter 6, the walls of Jericho stood impenetrable, a fortress deemed unconquerable. The Israelites felt hopeless, yet God gave them an unusual strategy: to march and blow trumpets. Against all odds, the walls fell. This story exemplifies “the power that works in us”. It reveals that God’s intervention often defies our understanding. He can take a seemingly impossible situation and turn it into a powerful testimony. He can take a person that is weak and empower them to do great things. Above all we could ask or think He enables us; and thou He uses us, it is His power that works in us.

4. Generational Glory

Ephesians 3:21a “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

The Context of Eternal Glory (3:21a)

Paul moves from the individual and corporate experience of power to the overarching goal: “to Him be glory in the church.” In this doxology, the ultimate end of all divine action is the manifestation of God’s radiance. Here, the church is established as the primary spectacle where the glory of God is displayed, acknowledged, and returned to Him.

One purpose behind prayer’s power is that the Church through it would reveal His glory. Do we think of it that way? Or is it just a checkbook that we can use to fill out blank checks?

Glory Through The Church

The church, as Christ bride, is positioned to reflect God's glory across generations. The timelessness of God's glory should lead us to trust in His divine promises and maintain faithfulness to our calling. This should encourage long-term commitment to discipleship and inspire older believers to invest in the spiritual development of the younger generation, ensuring the glorification of God continues perpetually. Do not dabble in divine things, glorify God in them.

5. Hope-Filled Praise

Ephesians 3:21b “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

The Temporal and Perpetual Scope (3:21b)

The final section of Paul’s doxology addresses the timeless nature of God’s glory, “by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” This concludes the doxology by placing the church’s witness within the context of history and eternity. The church expresses the glory to every generation. Its witness, as the bride, spans both time past and the age to come.

Let’s conclude this week with what makes a doxology? Why are they in Scripture? Paul ends his prayer in a doxology, should we?

Pauline Doxologies

Paul’s doxologies appear throughout his epistles, functioning as spontaneous eruptions of praise (think of the “Selah” that is so common in the Psalms - sit, meditate and respond to what was just sung). These moments punctuate theological reflection (solid Bible teaching) and pastoral exhortation (a preacher at his pulpit). These reflections occur in various contexts within Paul’s letters; in salutations, opening thanksgivings, final exhortations, and closing remarks. Here are a few examples.

Pauline Doxologies:

Galatians 1:5

Romans 11:33–36

Romans 16:25–27

Ephesians 3:20–21

Philippians 4:20

1 Timothy 1:17

1 Timothy 6:15–16

2 Timothy 4:18

Purpose and Function of Doxologies

Paul’s doxologies often facilitate a shift from a doctrinal statement to worship, they emerge naturally to focus on God’s richness. Rather than serving as mere literary flourishes, these expressions embody Paul’s conviction that authentic worship follows doctrine and finds its proper expression in doxology. We are to be struck with awe when contemplating God’s word.

The doxologies also serve a transitional function. They mark the conclusion of theological sections while introducing ethical instruction, this suggests that worship extends beyond verbal praise to encompass obedient living empowered by the Spirit’s strength. Teaching tells us what is expected, preaching encourages us to do that, and discipleship is the daily extension of Sunday. The doxology lifts up our eyes to the Source of life.

The “Amen” that concludes each doxology functions as an acknowledgment that eternal glory belongs to God regardless of our human circumstances.