Ephesians 3.20-21
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Paul has been following a pattern of teaching truth about who we are in Christ, and then praying that we would understand that truth. For three chapters he has gone back and forth: teach, then pray. Teach, then pray. He closes this section with a powerful doxology.
This is a summary statement of what happens when the truths that Paul has been teaching are fully operational in our lives. When we know who we are in Christ, when the Holy Spirit empowers us, love motivates us, and God fills us with his own fullness, then the Lord is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.
This verse teaches something very important to every follower of Christ. God is able to accomplish far more in your life than anything you might think about or ask for. This is not to say that we shouldn’t pray and ask the Lord for things. What it is saying is that no matter how big your prayers and requests, God’s vision for you is even bigger.
It also teaches a message that parallels what Jesus said in John 14.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)
Keep in mind—and this is an uncomfortable truth for some people—there are conditions with respect to God’s working in our life. Jesus makes it clear in John that “in my name” is a condition for answered prayer, and that means a great deal more than simply tacking on the phrase “in the name of Jesus” at the end of a prayer request.
Paul is teaching the same truth here. God desires and is able to do things “far more abundantly” in our lives, but that will happen only when we are in Christ and in alignment with his purposes.
Having said that, this verse also communicates a wonderful truth about how God works in us. It says that God is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think. In other words, the Lord is able to read our thoughts, and he recognizes that sometimes we imagine things for which we dare not ask. Yet he hears. He sees. And there are times in our lives when by his grace he brings those unspoken things to pass.
What are the consequences of God operating this way in us? The Lord is glorified through our lives individually as Christians and collectively as the church. Not just now, but forever. And that is the ultimate purpose for which we were created.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Philippians 4:19-20)
