Ephesians 3:14 kjv

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 3:14 nkjv

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 3:14 niv

For this reason I kneel before the Father,

Ephesians 3:14 esv

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

Ephesians 3:14 nlt

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,

Ephesians 3 verses

Ephesians 3 14 Meaning

Ephesians 3:14 introduces Paul's fervent prayer for the Ephesian believers, stemming directly from the profound theological truths he has just explained. The phrase "For this reason" explicitly links the prayer to the preceding revelation concerning God's mysterious plan to unite Jews and Gentiles as co-heirs in Christ Jesus. Paul's physical act of "bow[ing] my knees" signifies deep humility, reverence, and earnestness before God. He addresses his petition to "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," acknowledging the intimate and authoritative relationship God holds, specifically through His Son, Jesus. This verse sets the stage for the substance of Paul's prayer for the believers' inner strength and comprehension of Christ's love.

Ephesians 3 14 Context

Ephesians Chapter 3 unfolds Paul's special revelation of the "mystery" previously hidden: that Gentiles are now co-heirs, fellow members of the body of Christ, and partakers of His promise through the gospel. Paul, an apostle uniquely commissioned to preach this unsearchable richness of Christ to the Gentiles (Eph 3:8-9), emphasizes that this divine plan includes uniting all things in Christ, whether Jewish or Gentile. Verse 13 transitions from Paul's apostolic suffering on their behalf to the culmination of this section—a prayer. Ephesians 3:14 therefore initiates a profound prayer of intercession, grounded in the majestic truths of God's redemptive work explained in the first half of the letter, especially Chapters 1 and 2, and solidified by the revelation of the Gentile inclusion in Christ's body. The prayer (Eph 3:14-21) flows directly from the preceding doctrinal foundation, seeking to empower the believers to apprehend these spiritual realities.

Ephesians 3 14 Word analysis

• "For this reason" (χάριν τούτου - charin toutou):

  • Literally "because of this."
  • Directly connects the subsequent prayer to the glorious revelation described in Eph 3:1-13, particularly the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family through Christ.
  • Highlights that Paul's intercession is not an isolated act but a logical and spiritual response to profound theological truth.

• "I bow" (κάμπτω - kamptō):

  • Means to bend, literally "to cause to bend."
  • Describes a physical posture of bowing or kneeling.
  • In the Greco-Roman world, it symbolized respect, homage, and often submission to a superior or deity.

• "my knees" (τὰ γόνατά μου - ta gonata mou):

  • Refers to the physical joints, emphasizing the concrete action of kneeling.
  • This physical act reflects the internal attitude of humility and complete surrender to God's sovereignty. It is a posture of profound reverence and dependence.

• "to the Father" (πρὸς τὸν Πατέρα - pros ton Patera):

  • "Father" is the primary New Testament title for God in relation to believers, denoting an intimate and relational bond rather than a distant deity.
  • Paul consistently prays to the Father, often through or in the name of the Son.
  • Emphasizes the loving and authoritative head of the divine family to whom prayer is addressed.

• "of our Lord Jesus Christ" (τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ - tou Kyriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou):

  • Specifically identifies "the Father" as the Father uniquely revealed through and intimately related to Jesus Christ.
  • Reinforces the Trinitarian nature of Christian prayer: addressed to the Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ, as often enabled by the Spirit (though not explicit in this verse).
  • Highlights the centrality of Christ as the means of access to God the Father. It is only in Christ that Gentiles can truly call God 'Father.'

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "I bow my knees": This phrase emphasizes deep humility and reverence. It's not a casual act but a deeply intentional posture, signifying solemnity and earnestness in prayer before the divine authority. While physical kneeling is not strictly necessary for effective prayer, it underscores a spiritual attitude of submission and dependence that should always accompany our petitions.
  • "to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ": This precise identification of God highlights the uniquely Christian understanding of the Father. It's not a generic deity but the specific Father who sent and revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus. This establishes the very foundation for the believer's access to God – through relationship with Jesus, a point powerfully established throughout Ephesians (e.g., Eph 2:18).

Ephesians 3 14 Bonus section

The theological term for God's fatherhood as presented in this verse, where He is primarily known as the Father of Jesus Christ, is a crucial aspect of Trinitarian theology. It reinforces that our sonship (adoption) flows directly from God's eternal relationship with His Son. Furthermore, while the emphasis is on Paul's specific action, the broader concept of kneeling in prayer appears frequently in scripture as a sign of worship, supplication, and humble reverence before God or authority, not just for Paul but also for figures like Solomon, Daniel, Jesus, and Stephen, indicating its widespread significance as a posture reflecting profound inner devotion. The shift from doxology in Ephesians 3:13 to petition in Ephesians 3:14 marks a significant transition from intellectual apprehension of truth to experiential appropriation of that truth through prayer.

Ephesians 3 14 Commentary

Ephesians 3:14 acts as the prelude to one of Paul's most profound intercessory prayers, revealing the deep humility and spiritual earnestness required for effective communion with God. The act of "bowing my knees" is more than a mere physical gesture; it embodies a spiritual posture of absolute submission, reverence, and desperate reliance upon the Almighty. This prayer posture contrasts sharply with human pride and self-sufficiency, indicating Paul's recognition of God's absolute sovereignty and grace. His addressing of "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" establishes the very basis of Christian access to God: through a filial relationship made possible only through Christ Jesus. The preceding verses explain why Paul prays, specifically the profound mystery of Gentile inclusion into the Body of Christ. Therefore, this prayer is a logical, heartfelt response to theological truth, aiming to strengthen believers inwardly to fully grasp and experience the vastness of God's love. It is a powerful example for believers today, illustrating that genuine prayer flows from a deep understanding of who God is and what He has done, particularly through Christ, fostering humility and dependency.