Ephesians 3:18

KJV

May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

KJV (with Strong's)

May be able {G1840} to comprehend {G2638} with {G4862} all {G3956} saints {G40} what {G5101} is the breadth {G4114}, and {G2532} length {G3372}, and {G2532} depth {G899}, and {G2532} height {G5311};

Complete Jewish Bible

so that you, with all God’s people, will be given strength to grasp the breadth, length, height and depth of the Messiah’s love,

Berean Standard Bible

will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth

American Standard Version

may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 3:18 is a pivotal verse within Paul's profound prayer for the Ephesian believers, expressing his earnest desire that they, along with all saints, would experientially grasp the immeasurable dimensions of God's love in Christ. This verse serves as a bridge, connecting the doctrinal truths Paul has revealed about the mystery of Christ and the inclusion of Gentiles with the practical, spiritual apprehension of these realities in the lives of believers, emphasizing a corporate, all-encompassing understanding of divine affection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ephesians 3:18 is nestled within Paul's second great prayer for the Ephesian church, commencing in [Ephesians 3:14](/ephesians/3-14 "Ephesians 3:14 - Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians") and extending through [Ephesians 3:21](/ephesians/3-21 "Ephesians 3:21 - Doxology"). This prayer follows Paul's profound exposition of the "mystery of Christ"—the radical inclusion of Gentiles as co-heirs with Israel in God's redemptive plan, a truth revealed to him by revelation ([Ephesians 3:1-13](/ephesians/3-1-13 "Ephesians 3:1-13 - The Mystery Revealed")). Having laid this theological foundation, Paul now prays for the spiritual capacity of his readers to apprehend these truths experientially. Specifically, [Ephesians 3:17](/ephesians/3-17 "Ephesians 3:17 - Rooted and Grounded in Love") sets the immediate stage, praying that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith, enabling them to be "rooted and grounded in love." Verse 18 then builds directly on this, specifying *what* they are to comprehend: the vast, multi-dimensional nature of this love. The prayer culminates in [Ephesians 3:19](/ephesians/3-19 "Ephesians 3:19 - The Love of Christ that Surpasses Knowledge"), clarifying that the object of these dimensions is "the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge," and that by grasping it, they may "be filled with all the fullness of God."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul writes the letter to the Ephesians from Roman imprisonment, likely between A.D. 60-62 (as indicated by references like [Ephesians 3:1](/ephesians/3-1 "Ephesians 3:1 - Paul, a Prisoner for Christ")). Ephesus was a prominent city in Asia Minor, a major port, and a center for pagan worship, particularly the cult of Artemis (Diana). The Ephesian church comprised both Jewish and Gentile believers, and the integration of these two groups was a significant challenge, often leading to tension and misunderstanding. Paul's emphasis on the "mystery" of Gentile inclusion ([Ephesians 2:11-22](/ephesians/2-11-22 "Ephesians 2:11-22 - One New Humanity in Christ")) and the corporate nature of spiritual understanding ("with all saints") directly addresses this historical reality, fostering unity and mutual edification within a diverse community. The Greco-Roman world also valued philosophical and rhetorical wisdom, but Paul consistently points to a wisdom that transcends human reason, rooted in divine revelation and spiritual apprehension.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Ephesians. Firstly, the **Mystery of Christ** is central, particularly the inclusion of Gentiles into God's saving plan, transforming them into "fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" ([Ephesians 3:6](/ephesians/3-6 "Ephesians 3:6 - Gentiles are Fellow Heirs")). Secondly, the theme of **Spiritual Comprehension and Wisdom** is vital; Paul repeatedly prays for the believers to receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know God better ([Ephesians 1:17-19](/ephesians/1-17-19 "Ephesians 1:17-19 - Prayer for Wisdom and Revelation")). This is not mere intellectual assent but a deep, experiential understanding. Thirdly, the **Immeasurable Love of Christ** is the ultimate object of this comprehension, as explicitly stated in the subsequent verse ([Ephesians 3:19](/ephesians/3-19 "Ephesians 3:19 - The Love of Christ that Surpasses Knowledge")). The four dimensions serve as a powerful metaphor for the boundless nature of this divine love, which is foundational for Christian living and unity. Finally, the emphasis on "with all saints" underscores the **Corporate Nature of the Church** and the communal journey of spiritual growth and understanding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **comprehend (Greek, _katalambánō_):** This verb, from G2638, means "to take eagerly, i.e., seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively)." It implies more than mere intellectual understanding; it suggests a grasping, an apprehending, or even an overtaking. In this context, it speaks to a spiritual capacity to fully lay hold of, or experientially grasp, the vastness of God's love. It's an active, dynamic process of coming to terms with a truth that is otherwise beyond human grasp.
* **saints (Greek, _hágios_):** Derived from G40, this term refers to those who are "sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)." In the New Testament, "saints" are not a select few but all believers, set apart by God for His purposes. The inclusion of "all saints" here emphasizes that the comprehension of God's love is not an individualistic pursuit but a communal, corporate experience within the body of Christ. It highlights the mutual edification and shared journey of faith.
* **breadth (Greek, _plátos_):** From G4114, meaning "width." This term, along with length, depth, and height, represents the four cardinal dimensions of space. Paul uses these common geometric measurements metaphorically to describe something truly immeasurable and abstract: the love of Christ. While the specific object is not named until [Ephesians 3:19](/ephesians/3-19 "Ephesians 3:19 - The Love of Christ that Surpasses Knowledge"), the collective use of these terms conveys an all-encompassing, boundless quality. They signify the totality and incomprehensible vastness of God's love, reaching every conceivable aspect and dimension of existence and experience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"May be able to comprehend":** This phrase expresses Paul's fervent prayer for the Ephesian believers. The ability to "comprehend" (katalambánō) is not a natural human faculty but a spiritual enablement, a gift from God. It signifies an experiential, deep understanding that goes beyond intellectual assent, allowing them to truly grasp and appropriate the divine reality Paul is describing. This spiritual capacity is rooted in being "strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man" as prayed for in [Ephesians 3:16](/ephesians/3-16 "Ephesians 3:16 - Strengthened by the Spirit").
* **"with all saints":** This crucial phrase underscores the communal nature of this spiritual comprehension. The understanding of God's immense love is not a solitary endeavor but a shared journey within the Christian community. Believers are meant to grow in this knowledge together, mutually supporting, encouraging, and enlightening one another. It emphasizes the corporate identity of the church as the body of Christ, where each member contributes to the collective apprehension of divine truth.
* **"what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;":** These four dimensions are powerful metaphors for the immeasurable scope and boundless nature of God's love, specifically the love of Christ, as clarified in the subsequent verse. Breadth suggests the universal reach of God's love, extending to all peoples and nations, encompassing the entire world. Length implies its enduring, eternal quality, stretching from everlasting to everlasting, demonstrating God's faithfulness through all ages. Depth points to its ability to reach into the lowest human conditions, rescuing from the deepest sin, despair, and brokenness, demonstrating God's condescension and redemptive power. Height refers to its power to elevate believers to heavenly places, bestowing spiritual blessings and glory, reflecting God's transcendence and ultimate exaltation. Together, these dimensions convey a love that is truly infinite and all-encompassing, defying human measurement or full intellectual grasp.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices in [Ephesians 3:18](/ephesians/3-18 "Ephesians 3:18 - Comprehending the Dimensions of Love") to convey the ineffable nature of God's love. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the abstract concept of divine love is described using concrete, geometric dimensions (breadth, length, depth, and height). These spatial measurements serve as a powerful analogy for the immeasurable and all-encompassing nature of Christ's love, which transcends human understanding. The use of **Polysyndeton**, the repeated use of the conjunction "and" (καί) between each dimension, emphasizes the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of the love being described, creating a sense of accumulation and vastness that would be lost with a simple list. This repetition also contributes to a feeling of awe and wonder. Furthermore, the very concept of attempting to measure the unmeasurable through these dimensions can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, an intentional exaggeration to underscore the infinite and boundless quality of Christ's love, which truly "surpasses knowledge" ([Ephesians 3:19](/ephesians/3-19 "Ephesians 3:19 - The Love of Christ that Surpasses Knowledge")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 3:18 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's love and the Christian's relationship to it. It teaches that divine love is not merely an abstract concept but a tangible, multi-dimensional reality meant to be experientially apprehended by believers. This comprehension is not a solitary intellectual pursuit but a corporate journey, emphasizing the essential role of the community of faith in fostering spiritual growth and understanding. The passage implicitly connects to the doctrine of **God's incomprehensibility** (His infinite nature) while simultaneously asserting His desire for humanity to deeply experience His character, particularly His boundless love. It highlights that true spiritual maturity involves a continuous, deepening grasp of this love, which empowers believers to live out their calling and be filled with the fullness of God.

* [John 15:9](/john/15-9 "John 15:9 - Abide in My Love")
* [Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - Knowing Christ and His Power")
* [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 3:18 calls believers to an active and ongoing pursuit of understanding the incomprehensible love of God. It challenges us to move beyond a superficial knowledge of theological truths to a deep, experiential apprehension that transforms our lives from the inside out. This pursuit is not meant to be solitary; rather, it is a communal journey undertaken "with all saints." This means engaging deeply with our Christian community, learning from one another, sharing insights, and mutually encouraging each other in faith. As we collectively grasp the breadth, length, depth, and height of Christ's love, we are empowered to live more courageously, forgive more freely, serve more sacrificially, and love more genuinely. This profound understanding becomes the root and foundation for all Christian living, enabling us to face life's challenges with unwavering hope and to extend God's grace to a broken world, reflecting the very love we have come to comprehend.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have you personally experienced the "breadth, length, depth, and height" of God's love in your life?**
* **How does your participation in a Christian community (your "all saints") contribute to your understanding and experience of God's love?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to intentionally seek a deeper, more experiential comprehension of Christ's love?**
* **How might a more profound grasp of God's immeasurable love impact your daily decisions, relationships, and perspective on suffering?**

### FAQ

**What exactly are the "breadth, length, depth, and height" referring to in Ephesians 3:18?**

Answer: While [Ephesians 3:18](/ephesians/3-18 "Ephesians 3:18 - Comprehending the Dimensions of Love") does not explicitly state the object of these dimensions, the immediate context, particularly [Ephesians 3:19](/ephesians/3-19 "Ephesians 3:19 - The Love of Christ that Surpasses Knowledge"), clarifies that Paul is referring to the "love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge." These four dimensions are poetic metaphors used to convey the immeasurable, all-encompassing, and boundless nature of Christ's love. They suggest that this love extends universally (breadth), endures eternally (length), reaches into the deepest human need and sin (depth), and elevates believers to the highest spiritual blessings and glory (height). It is a love that cannot be fully contained or measured by human understanding.

**Why is it important to comprehend this "with all saints"?**

Answer: The phrase "with all saints" emphasizes the communal and corporate nature of spiritual growth and understanding within the body of Christ. It highlights that grasping the vastness of God's love is not an individualistic or isolated pursuit but a shared journey. When believers come together, they can collectively apprehend truths that might be too grand for any one individual to fully grasp alone. Each "saint" brings their unique experience and perspective, contributing to a richer, more complete understanding for the whole community. This corporate comprehension fosters unity, mutual edification, and strengthens the church as it collectively grows in the knowledge and experience of Christ's love, fulfilling the purpose outlined in [Ephesians 4:13](/ephesians/4-13 "Ephesians 4:13 - Unity in the Faith").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 3:18 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself, for He is the embodiment and ultimate demonstration of the immeasurable love Paul yearns for believers to comprehend. The "breadth" of this love is seen in Christ's universal reach, extending salvation to "whoever believes in Him" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")), breaking down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). The "length" of this love is demonstrated in His eternal faithfulness and enduring covenant, for "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the Same")). The "depth" of this love is profoundly revealed in His condescension, emptying Himself, taking the form of a servant, and humbling Himself even to death on a cross, reaching into the lowest depths of human sin and despair to redeem us ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")). Finally, the "height" of this love is manifested in His glorious resurrection and ascension, where He was "seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion" ([Ephesians 1:20-21](/ephesians/1-20-21 "Ephesians 1:20-21 - Christ's Exaltation")), and by which believers are also raised and seated with Him ([Ephesians 2:6](/ephesians/2-6 "Ephesians 2:6 - Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places")). To comprehend the breadth, length, depth, and height of this love is, therefore, to comprehend the full scope of Christ's redemptive work and His glorious person, in whom "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - Christ's Supremacy")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 103:11

For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

Psalms 103:12

As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Job 11:7

¶ Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

Job 11:9

The measure thereof [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

Ephesians 1:18

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 1:23

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Philippians 2:5

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: