Ephesians 3 16

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

Ephesians 3 16 meaning

Ephesians 3:16 reveals Paul's fervent prayer for believers, requesting that God the Father, in keeping with the inexhaustible abundance of His divine excellence, would empower them internally. This strengthening is to occur with forceful ability, and it is facilitated specifically by the indwelling Holy Spirit, transforming and fortifying the deepest core of their being. It emphasizes a supernatural, spiritual strengthening rooted in God's character and provided by His Spirit.

Ephesians 3 16 Context

Ephesians chapter 3 builds upon Paul's profound revelation of the "mystery" mentioned in chapter 2: that through Christ, Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise with Israel. Paul himself was entrusted with making this mystery known, a calling he humbly accepted despite suffering for it as a prisoner for Christ Jesus. Immediately following this grand declaration of unity and his personal role, Paul bows his knees in prayer to God the Father. This prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19 is deeply intertwined with the preceding theological truths, seeking to empower the believers to live out this glorious reality. The spiritual strength requested in verse 16 is essential for them to comprehend (v. 18) and be rooted in (v. 17) the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ's love, enabling them to be filled with all the fullness of God (v. 19). It acknowledges that intellectual assent alone is insufficient; internal, divine empowerment is crucial for grasping and experiencing the spiritual truths revealed.

Ephesians 3 16 Word analysis

• that He would grant you (ἵνα δῴη ὑμῖν - hina doē hymin):
  • "Grant" (δῴη - doē) is in the optative mood, signifying a wish or prayer, emphasizing Paul's earnest supplication for the Ephesian believers. It implies a free, divine giving.
  • Highlights God as the ultimate giver of this spiritual blessing.
• according to the riches (κατὰ τὸν πλοῦτον - kata ton plouton):
  • "According to" signifies proportionality and the source of the gift. It means "in proportion to" or "commensurate with," rather than "from a small part of."
  • "Riches" (πλοῦτον - plouton) denotes abundance, vast wealth, and inexhaustible supply. It implies not just enough, but lavish provision.
  • Significance: God's supply is not limited by our need or merit but by His boundless capacity.
• of His glory (τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ - tēs doxēs autou):
  • "Glory" (δόξης - doxēs) refers to the manifest excellence, honor, splendor, and inherent perfect nature of God. It's His attributes and very being put on display.
  • Significance: The power given is intrinsically linked to who God is in His full magnificence. It flows from His divine character, which is infinitely abundant and perfect.
  • Group: "the riches of His glory" emphasizes that God's infinite wealth lies in His very nature, not merely His possessions. It points to the immensity and boundlessness of the divine power available.
• to be strengthened (δυνάμει κραταιωθῆναι - dynamei krataiōthēnai):
  • "Strengthened" (κραταιωθῆναι - krataiōthēnai) is a passive infinitive, meaning "to be made strong, to be invigorated." The action is done to them, indicating divine agency.
  • "Might" (δυνάμει - dynamei) denotes inherent power, dynamic ability, enabling force. This is the means by which they are strengthened.
  • Significance: True spiritual strengthening is not self-generated but is a work of God upon the believer. It's an infusion of divine capability.
• through His Spirit (διὰ τοῦ Πνεύματος αὐτοῦ - dia tou Pneumatos autou):
  • "Through" (διὰ - dia) denotes the instrumental cause or agency. The Holy Spirit is the direct agent by whom this divine strength is imparted.
  • "His Spirit" clearly identifies the Third Person of the Trinity.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the crucial and direct role of the Holy Spirit in applying God's power to the believer's life. No spiritual strengthening happens apart from the Spirit's work.
• in the inner man (εἰς τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον - eis ton esō anthrōpon):
  • "Inner man" (ἔσω ἄνθρωπον - esō anthrōpon) refers to the spiritual, moral, and intellectual core of a person—the seat of one's consciousness, character, and spiritual life, as opposed to the outward physical body.
  • Significance: This strengthening is profound and goes to the deepest part of one's being, influencing character, will, and spiritual discernment, rather than merely external appearance or physical prowess. It is where spiritual transformation and understanding truly take root.
  • Group: "strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man" signifies that the Spirit-empowered strength penetrates to the core of one's being, revitalizing the spirit, mind, and will, enabling spiritual resilience and growth. This is vital for comprehending Christ's love (as mentioned in subsequent verses).

Ephesians 3 16 Bonus section

This verse implies a profound Trinitarian dynamic in salvation and sanctification: the prayer is directed to the Father, the source of all glory and riches; the empowerment flows through the Holy Spirit; and the ultimate purpose, as revealed in the subsequent verses, is to know Christ and be filled with God's fullness, emphasizing the role of the Son. The "divine passive" (to be strengthened) is critical, showing that this spiritual might is entirely a gift from God, not something human beings can achieve by their own will or effort. It challenges any notion of self-sufficiency in the spiritual life, redirecting dependence squarely upon God's generous provision and the active work of His indwelling Spirit.

Ephesians 3 16 Commentary

Ephesians 3:16 captures the essence of Paul's prayer for spiritual empowerment, essential for believers to truly live out the magnificent reality of being united in Christ. This strength is not carnal or superficial; it is an internal, Spirit-wrought transformation. It flows from God's boundless, glorious nature, meaning the supply is inexhaustible and perfectly suited to His divine character. The focus on the "inner man" highlights that true Christian maturity and resilience begin at the core of one's being—the spirit and character—where the Holy Spirit works to infuse dynamic power. This empowerment is fundamental for comprehending the vastness of Christ's love and being progressively filled with God's fullness, transcending mere intellectual knowledge into experiential reality.

Examples for practical usage:

• When facing spiritual attacks or temptation, we pray for the Spirit to strengthen our inner resolve.
• In times of doubt or fear, we ask God to renew our minds and strengthen our faith through His Spirit.
• To love difficult people or serve humbly, we rely on inner strength imparted by the Holy Spirit.