Ephesians 3:16 kjv

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

Ephesians 3:16 nkjv

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

Ephesians 3:16 niv

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Ephesians 3:16 esv

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Ephesians 3:16 nlt

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.

Ephesians 3 verses

MeaningEphesians 3:16 expresses a profound prayer by Paul, seeking for believers to be supernaturally strengthened in their inner spiritual being. This strength, derived from the boundless riches of God’s glory, is directly applied by His Holy Spirit. It targets the "inner man," the core spiritual identity and capacity for divine knowledge and living, empowering them to withstand challenges, live according to God's will, and comprehend the spiritual realities revealed through Christ.

Cross References

ContextEphesians 3:16 is part of Paul's profound prayer for the Ephesian believers, immediately following his personal interlude explaining the mystery of the Gentiles being co-heirs with Israel in Christ (Eph 3:1-13). This prayer (Eph 3:14-21) serves as a climax to the doctrinal section of the epistle (Chapters 1-3). Paul had just revealed the incredible truth of their inclusion in God's plan and now prays for them to be spiritually equipped to fully grasp and live in light of this revelation. The historical context for the Ephesians was a bustling Greco-Roman city with significant pagan worship, particularly of Artemis (Diana), whose cult emphasized outward rituals and mystical experiences. Paul's prayer for "inner man" strength and divine "glory" provides a powerful counterpoint, emphasizing internal transformation by the true God through His Spirit, rather than external displays or superficial religious fervor.

Word analysis

• ἵνα δῴη (hina doē) - "that He would grant/give": This phrase signifies purpose. Paul's prayer is directed toward God as the active giver of this spiritual enablement. It's a divine initiative.
• ὑμῖν (hymin) - "you" (plural): Refers to the Ephesian believers, but by extension, to all Christians.
• κατὰ τὸν πλοῦτον (kata ton plouton) - "according to the riches": Implies a boundless, overflowing source, not a meager portion. It’s an unlimited supply from God's character.
• τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ (tēs doxēs autou) - "of His glory": God's manifest splendor, majesty, and inherent perfection. This "glory" is not merely abstract but the source and measure of the power granted. It ties into God's very being.
• δυνάμει κραταιωθῆναι (dynamei krataiōthēnai) - "to be strengthened with power":
  • δύναμις (dynamis): Refers to inherent power, especially miraculous, working, or enabling power; a dynamic ability. It’s not static strength but the active capacity to achieve something.
  • κραταιωθῆναι (krataiōthēnai): "to be made strong," "to be empowered." This is an aorist passive infinitive, indicating that this strengthening is something received, something God does to them, not something they generate themselves.
• διὰ τοῦ Πνεύματος αὐτοῦ (dia tou Pneumatos autou) - "through His Spirit": Identifies the agent of this strengthening. The Holy Spirit is the conduit or instrument through whom God’s glorious power is applied to the believer. This highlights the Spirit’s vital role in empowering believers for Christ-like living.
• εἰς τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον (eis ton esō anthrōpon) - "into the inner man": Refers to the true self, the spiritual core of a person, distinct from the physical body or external life. It encompasses the mind, will, emotions, and conscience, the deepest seat of one’s identity where spiritual transformation takes place. This strength is not superficial but penetrates to the very essence of their being.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "according to the riches of His glory": This phrase establishes the immense, inexhaustible reservoir from which God dispenses strength. It underlines His magnificent abundance, far beyond human need or capacity to comprehend, underscoring His transcendent majesty and goodness.
  • "to be strengthened with power through His Spirit": This reveals both the nature of the empowerment (dynamic, supernatural power) and its divine source and channel (the Holy Spirit). It means this is not self-help or human resolve, but a divine work, empowering the believer for spiritual warfare, obedience, and endurance.
  • "into the inner man": This specifies the recipient and target of the divine power. It highlights that the transformation is internal, addressing the spiritual and moral core rather than just outward behavior. This internal strengthening enables believers to walk in newness of life, making their will and desires align more with God's.

CommentaryEphesians 3:16 encapsulates a foundational truth of Christian living: authentic spiritual strength is not self-generated but divinely bestowed. Paul prays that believers receive power in their inner person, emphasizing that God’s glorious abundance is the source. This is not for a fleeting emotion, but a profound, ongoing transformation enabled by the Holy Spirit. This inner strengthening prepares believers to comprehend God's love and fill their spiritual capacity with His fullness, laying the groundwork for the moral and relational directives given in later chapters. It enables believers to stand firm against worldly pressures, spiritual opposition, and fleshly desires, providing the spiritual stamina needed for genuine discipleship. For example, when facing discouragement, this prayer asks God to provide an internal resolve that triumphs over despair, empowered by His Spirit. Similarly, when tempted, this divine strengthening grants the inner resilience to choose righteousness over sin.

Bonus section

• The "inner man" concept (ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος) is contrasted with the "outer man" (ὁ ἔξω ἄνθρωπος) in 2 Corinthians 4:16, emphasizing the spiritual, eternal dimension of human identity as opposed to the physical, temporal body. This internal strength is therefore not primarily about physical prowess or outward accomplishments, but spiritual vitality and resilience.
• Paul's emphasis on God's "riches of glory" echoes a strong Old Testament theme of God's abundant provision and manifest presence, here extended to an overflowing supply for the spiritual needs of His people in Christ. It's a vast reservoir from which the Holy Spirit continually draws.
• This verse directly sets the stage for the profound prayer concerning Christ dwelling in their hearts through faith and understanding the immeasurable love of Christ, demonstrating that inner spiritual strength is foundational for grasping the depths of God's revealed truth and experiencing a full relationship with Him. It allows the spiritual "roots" to go deep.