To Him Be Glory in the Church
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21 (NIV)
Paul has just outlined four major points in his praying for the church:
that God ‘may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith’ (3:16,17)
that his readers might be ‘rooted and established in love’ (3:17)
that his readers ‘may have power … to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ’ (3:18)
that they might ‘be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God’ (3:19)
Paul’s four petitions are sandwiched between two references to God. In 3:14-16 He is the father of the whole family and possesses infinite riches in glory, and in 3:20,21 He is the One who works powerfully within us. God hears and can answer whatever we pray for!
Paul describes God’s ability to answer in five stages:
He is able to ‘do’ (or to work). He’s active and powerful
He is able to do what ‘we ask.’ He hears and answers prayer
He is able to do what we ask ‘or think.’ He knows everything we think, even when we imagine things we’re not game enough to ask for
He is able to do ‘all’ that we ask or think. His power is only limited by His will
He is able to do ‘immeasurably more’ than all we ask or imagine. Paul uses two words that together mean ‘more than … abundantly’
God’s infinite ability to work beyond our prayer, thoughts and dreams is ‘according to his power that is at work within us’ (3:20), within us individually (Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith) and within us as a people (who are the dwelling place of God by His Spirit). It is the power of the resurrection, the power that raised Christ from the dead, enthroned Him in the heavenlies and then raised and enthroned us with him there with Him, that is at work in the Christian and the church.
Paul’s prayer relates to the fulfilment of his vision for God’s new society of love. He asks that its members be strengthened to love and to know the love of Christ, though this surpasses knowledge. But then he turns from the love of God past knowing to the power of God past imagining, from limitless love to limitless power. Only God’s power can generate God’s love in God’s people.
‘To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen’ (3:21). This God of resurrection power can make the dream come true. The power comes from Him so the glory must go to Him. To Him ‘be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus’ together, in the body and in its Head, in the bride and in the bridegroom, in the community of peace and in the peace-maker, ‘throughout all generations’ (in history), ‘for ever and ever’ (in eternity).
Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energises you.
Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ – and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. Amen! Ephesians 3:20,21 (The Passion Translation)