Ephesians 3:20 - 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,

Generated Verse: Ephesians 3:20

What does "Ephesians 3:20" mean?


Ephesians 3:20 is a powerful and encouraging verse that speaks to the limitless potential of God's power and grace. Let's break it down:

"Now to him...": This emphasizes that what follows is a doxology, a statement of praise and glory to God.

"...who is able to do...": This highlights God's capability and potential. He is able – He possesses the power and resources to act.

"...exceedingly abundantly above...": This is the core of the verse and conveys the limitless nature of God's power. It means that God can do far, far more than anything we could ever ask or even imagine. It's not just a little more, but exponentially, immeasurably more. Think of it as "beyond all measure," or "beyond comprehension."

"...all that we ask or think...": This covers both our spoken requests (our prayers) and our internal hopes and dreams. It means God isn't limited by our vision or our understanding of what's possible. Our prayers might be small, and our dreams limited, but God's ability to answer them is not bound by those limitations. He can do more than we ask for and more than we can even conceive in our minds.

"...according to the power that works in us...": This is a crucial qualifier. God's power is not something external and detached from us. It is a power that is already at work within us, in believers. This refers to the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers, empowering them for spiritual growth, service, and witness. The Holy Spirit enables the believer to become more Christ-like, minister to others, and fulfill God's purpose for their lives. It means His power flows through us, enabling us to participate in His work and experience His abundant blessings. It doesn't limit God's power, but rather clarifies how He manifests that power in our lives – through the Holy Spirit who indwells believers.

In essence, the verse means:

We give glory to God because He is capable of doing far more than we can ever request in prayer or even imagine in our thoughts, and He does this through the power of the Holy Spirit that is at work within us, believers.

Implications:

Encouragement: This verse encourages us to have bold faith and to pray big prayers. Don't limit God by your own small thinking.
Humility: While God works through us, it's important to remember that it's His power, not our own. We should give Him all the glory.
Hope: This verse gives us hope even in the midst of difficult circumstances, knowing that God can work in ways we cannot foresee.
Responsibility: Knowing that God's power works in us also means we have a responsibility to yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work through us for His purposes.
Perspective: It reminds us that our understanding is finite, and God's ways are often beyond our comprehension.

In conclusion, Ephesians 3:20 is a powerful reminder of God's limitless ability and His active presence in the lives of believers, giving us hope, encouragement, and a call to bold faith.