Ephesians 3:19 kjv

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

Ephesians 3:19 nkjv

to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:19 niv

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge?that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:19 esv

and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:19 nlt

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Ephesians 3 verses

Ephesians 3 19 Meaning

Ephesians 3:19 signifies the pinnacle of Paul's prayer for believers: that they might come to intimately and experientially know the self-sacrificing, divine love of Christ. This love is so profound and infinite that it transcends all human intellectual capacity and understanding. The purpose of this experiential knowledge is for believers to be thoroughly permeated and brought to completion, filled entirely with the very nature, attributes, and perfection that characterize God Himself. It speaks to a deep, transformative spiritual communion, leading to a life lived in the overflow of God's character.

Ephesians 3 19 Context

Ephesians chapter 3 builds upon Paul's profound theological insights from chapters 1 and 2, specifically regarding God's eternal plan and the inclusion of Gentiles into the body of Christ. Prior to verse 19, Paul describes himself as a "prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles" (Eph 3:1), and reveals the "mystery of Christ"—that Gentiles are fellow heirs and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Eph 3:6). He emphasizes his divine commission to preach "the unfathomable riches of Christ" (Eph 3:8) and to bring to light God's multifaceted wisdom (Eph 3:10).

Verses 14-19 constitute Paul's passionate prayer for the believers. He bows his knees to the Father (Eph 3:14), asking for strength in their inner being through the Spirit (Eph 3:16), that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith (Eph 3:17a), and that they would be "rooted and grounded in love" (Eph 3:17b). This comprehensive grounding in love is the prerequisite for comprehending "what is the breadth and length and height and depth" (Eph 3:18) of Christ's love. Verse 19 serves as the climax of this prayer, pushing beyond mere comprehension of love's dimensions to an experiential "knowing" that leads to being utterly filled by God Himself. This verse is not just an intellectual request, but a fervent plea for spiritual transformation and union with the Divine, culminating in the fulfillment of God's redemptive purpose for humanity.

Ephesians 3 19 Word analysis

• and to know (καὶ γνῶναι - kai gnōnai):

  • Gnōnai is an aorist infinitive of ginōskō, implying an experiential, relational knowledge rather than mere intellectual apprehension (which would be oida or gnōsis noun). It denotes a deep, intimate, personal understanding, akin to the knowing between husband and wife (Gen 4:1 LXX).
  • Significance: Paul prays for a lived experience of Christ's love, a truth transformed into personal reality.

• the love (τὴν ἀγάπην - tēn agapēn):

  • Agapē is divine, unconditional, self-giving love, originating from God. It's distinct from human love like philia (brotherly affection) or eros (romantic desire).
  • Significance: It's the highest form of love, foundational to God's nature and actions.

• of Christ (τοῦ Χριστοῦ - tou Christou):

  • The possessive genitive indicates Christ as the source, recipient, and ultimate expression of this divine love. Christ's love is not just a concept, but a living reality exemplified in His sacrifice.
  • Significance: Connects the profound love directly to the person and work of Jesus Christ.

• which surpasses (τὴν ὑπερβάλλουσαν - tēn hyperballousan):

  • Hyperballousan means "to throw beyond," "to exceed," "to surpass," "to transcend." It emphasizes the immeasurable, incomparable, and overwhelming nature of Christ's love.
  • Significance: Highlights the vastness and infinitude of divine love, which goes beyond any human expectation or capacity to measure.

• knowledge, (τῆς γνώσεως - tēs gnōseōs):

  • Gnōseōs (noun form) here refers to intellectual knowledge, factual understanding, or cognitive comprehension.
  • Significance: Creates a deliberate paradox. One is prayed to know (experientially, gnōnai) that which surpasses knowledge (intellectually, gnōsis). This means Christ's love cannot be fully grasped by the mind alone; it requires spiritual revelation and intimate experience.

• that you may be filled up (ἵνα πληρωθῆτε - hina plērōthēte):

  • Hina introduces a purpose clause. Plērōthēte is an aorist passive subjunctive of plēroō, meaning "to fill completely," "to make full," "to fulfill." The passive voice implies God is the agent of this filling.
  • Significance: The ultimate goal of knowing Christ's love is complete divine infilling and transformation, not merely intellectual ascent.

• to all (εἰς πᾶν - eis pan):

  • Eis pan indicates totality, wholeness, absolute completion.
  • Significance: Emphasizes that this filling is not partial but complete, touching every aspect of a believer's being.

• the fullness (τὸ πλήρωμα - to plērōma):

  • Plērōma signifies "that which fills," "fullness," "completeness," "totality," "sum total." In a theological sense, it refers to the complete divine essence or nature.
  • Significance: It speaks of being made whole, embodying God's completeness, reaching the full measure of God's divine character and attributes.

• of God (τοῦ Θεοῦ - tou Theou):

  • Possessive genitive, referring to God's inherent perfection, His divine essence, His very nature.
  • Significance: The final destination and purpose: to reflect God's own perfect character and being.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge": This phrase highlights a profound theological paradox. It distinguishes between an intellectual comprehension of Christ's love (gnosis) which is finite, and an experiential, relational understanding of it (gnōnai) which allows one to grasp something truly infinite. This emphasizes that divine truth requires more than mere mental assent; it demands deep spiritual engagement and revelation by the Holy Spirit. It's a knowing that goes beyond definition and measurement.
  • "that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God": This climax presents the extraordinary result of truly knowing Christ's immeasurable love. Being "filled up" by God is an active, ongoing process of spiritual saturation and transformation. "The fullness of God" refers not to receiving all of God in a quantitative sense (as He is infinite), but to receiving a complete measure of His divine nature, character, and spiritual attributes (e.g., love, joy, peace, holiness) to reflect Him completely. It speaks of spiritual maturity and complete conformity to Christ's image.

Ephesians 3 19 Bonus section

The "you" in Ephesians 3:19 is plural ("you may be filled"), indicating that Paul is praying not just for individual believers, but for the entire Christian community, the body of Christ. The collective fulfillment of the church is a key theme in Ephesians, as the church itself is described as the "fullness of Him who fills all in all" (Eph 1:23). Thus, the corporate body is also intended to collectively reflect the totality of God's nature. This suggests a journey towards collective spiritual maturity and completeness as the church grows in unity and understanding, increasingly displaying the comprehensive love of Christ to the world. The eschatological dimension is also implicit; while the process of being filled begins now, its complete manifestation aligns with our glorification in eternity, where we will fully reflect the image of God.

Ephesians 3 19 Commentary

Ephesians 3:19 stands as a soaring summit in Paul's theological landscape, expressing the ultimate spiritual aspiration for the believer. It is the culmination of his heartfelt prayer for the Ephesian Christians, transitioning from understanding Christ's indwelling to grasping the very breadth of His love, finally desiring complete divine indwelling.

The paradox of "knowing that which surpasses knowledge" is central. It underlines that Christ's agape love is not confined by human intellectual boundaries. While our minds can study and categorize theological truths, the transformative power of God's love requires a deep, personal encounter. This "knowing" is not detached information, but an intimate relationship, forged through faith and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Eph 3:16-17).

The goal of this knowledge is not mere personal enlightenment but complete spiritual transformation: to "be filled up to all the fullness of God." This is a profound statement. It does not mean becoming deity, but becoming saturated and complete with the divine attributes and character that flow from God Himself. It speaks to Christ's power to perfect His Church, enabling believers to display the divine nature in its fullest possible human expression. This process unfolds progressively as we abide in Christ and yield to the Spirit, allowing God's love to reshape our inner beings and external actions, manifesting His holiness, compassion, and power in and through us.

Practical Usage:

• Instead of seeking intellectual answers for all spiritual dilemmas, actively pursue experiences of God's love through prayer, worship, and service, trusting in the Spirit's revelation.
• When faced with limitations or weaknesses, remember God's promise to fill you; allow His divine love to be the empowering force that moves you beyond human capacity.