Prayer and Praise by Paul

Word Pictures in the New Testament Ephesians 3:14

I bow my knees (καμπτω τα γονατα μου [kamptō ta gonata mou]). He now prays whether he had at first intended to do so at 3:1 or not. Calvin supposes that Paul knelt as he dictated this prayer, but this is not necessary. This was a common attitude in prayer (Luke 22:41; Acts 7:40; 20:36; 21:5), though standing is also frequent (Mark 11:25; Luke 18:11, 13).

Ephesians 3:15

Our Text: (KJV 1900)

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Strengthened Love (3:14–21)

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Strengthened Love (3:14–21)

The Approach to Prayer (3:14–15)

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

The Appeal in Prayer (3:16–19)

The Ascription of Praise (3:20–21

Paul's Prayer of Intercession for His Readers (vv. 14–19)

Paul now returned to the prayer he began in verse 1 and prayed that his readers would experience strength through the Holy Spirit and grasp the depth of God's love for them. Obviously, his vision of God's grand grace and the blessings of Christ moved Paul to an attitude of humility and prayer.

Paul again referred to God's “glorious riches.” From such vast resources God can supply all the needs of His people. These are resources which His people may draw upon in prayer. Having defined this resource, Paul went on to ask for several blessings from these riches to be given to his readers. Paul made five requests for his readers: