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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G5037} to know {G1097} the love {G26} of Christ {G5547}, which passeth {G5235} knowledge {G1108}, that {G2443} ye might be filled {G4137} with {G1519} all {G3956} the fulness {G4138} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing, so that you will be filled with all the fullness of God.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 3:19 culminates Paul's fervent prayer for the Ephesian believers, expressing his profound desire that they would not merely intellectually grasp but experientially know the immeasurable love of Christ. This love, which transcends human comprehension, is presented as the foundational truth that enables believers to be completely indwelt and permeated by the very essence, character, and presence of God, leading to spiritual maturity and completeness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful climax of Paul's intercessory prayer for the Ephesian church, which begins in [Ephesians 3:14](/ephesians/3-14 "Ephesians 3:14 - Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians"). Having just revealed the "mystery of Christ" – the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant people – Paul transitions from theological exposition to heartfelt supplication. His prayer progresses from a request for inner strength by the Spirit ([Ephesians 3:16](/ephesians/3-16 "Ephesians 3:16 - Inner Strength")) and Christ dwelling in their hearts through faith ([Ephesians 3:17](/ephesians/3-17 "Ephesians 3:17 - Christ Dwelling in Hearts")) to the ultimate goal: comprehending the vast dimensions of Christ's love ([Ephesians 3:18](/ephesians/3-18 "Ephesians 3:18 - Comprehending Christ's Love")) and, finally, being filled with God's fullness. The entire prayer builds towards this ultimate spiritual saturation, emphasizing that genuine Christian experience is rooted in the profound understanding and indwelling of divine love.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Ephesus was a major center in the Roman province of Asia, known for its immense temple of Artemis (Diana), a hub of pagan worship and various mystery religions. The Ephesian church, composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts, faced challenges from syncretism and philosophical ideas, including early forms of Gnosticism which emphasized secret, intellectual "knowledge" (gnosis) as the path to salvation. Paul's emphasis on "knowing" a love that "passeth knowledge" subtly counters such intellectual elitism, redirecting the focus from esoteric human wisdom to the surpassing, experiential reality of divine love. The concept of "fulness" (plērōma) was also present in philosophical and religious discourse of the time, often referring to the totality of divine being or the cosmic order. Paul redefines this concept in a Christ-centered way, asserting that true fullness is found in God through Christ, not in human systems or rituals.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in [Ephesians 3](/ephesians/3 "Ephesians 3 - The Mystery Revealed") is the revelation of the mystery of Christ, particularly the unity of Jews and Gentiles in one body. Within this, Paul's prayer introduces several critical sub-themes. The **immeasurable love of Christ** is central, presented as the foundation for spiritual stability and growth, echoing themes found throughout the New Testament, such as in [Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - God's Unfailing Love"). The **paradox of knowing a love that surpasses knowledge** highlights the mystical, experiential dimension of faith that transcends mere intellectual apprehension, pointing to a relationship more profound than cognitive understanding alone. Finally, the theme of **being filled with all the fulness of God** speaks to the ultimate goal of Christian discipleship: spiritual completeness, maturity, and being entirely permeated by God's character and presence, a concept also explored in [Colossians 2:9-10](/colossians/2-9-10 "Colossians 2:9-10 - Fullness in Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This verb (G1097) signifies more than mere intellectual apprehension. While it can mean "to perceive" or "to understand" intellectually, its deeper biblical usage often implies an intimate, experiential, and relational knowing, akin to the knowledge between a husband and wife (e.g., [Genesis 4:1](/genesis/4-1 "Genesis 4:1 - Adam Knew Eve")). In this context, it suggests a profound, transformative encounter with Christ's love that goes beyond head knowledge.
* **love (Greek, _agápē'_):** This noun (G26) refers to a distinctively Christian love, characterized by benevolence, self-sacrifice, and unconditional regard. Unlike other Greek words for love (e.g., eros, philia), _agápē_ is primarily volitional and active, demonstrating a commitment to the well-being of the beloved, regardless of their merit. Here, it describes the divine, self-giving love of Christ for humanity.
* **passeth (Greek, _hyperbállō'_):** This verb (G5235) means "to throw beyond the usual mark," "to surpass," or "to excel." When applied to Christ's love, it emphasizes its immeasurable, incomparable, and transcendent nature. This love is so vast and profound that it exceeds the limits of human intellect and comprehension.
* **fulness (Greek, _plḗrōma'_):** This noun (G4138) denotes repletion, completion, or the state of being filled. It can refer to what fills something or what is filled. In the context of "the fulness of God," it refers to the complete essence, attributes, and presence of God. To be "filled with all the fulness of God" means to be completely permeated and saturated by God's character, power, and presence, reflecting His divine nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And to know the love of Christ,"**: This phrase introduces the central object of Paul's prayer: a deep, experiential understanding of Christ's _agápē_ love. It is not a passive reception but an active engagement with this love, implying a personal, transformative relationship rather than just an intellectual acknowledgment. This knowledge is presented as a prerequisite for the subsequent spiritual blessing.
* **"which passeth knowledge,"**: This is a profound paradox. The very love that believers are to "know" is simultaneously described as transcending all human "knowledge" (gnosis, G1108 – intellectual apprehension). This highlights the infinite, incomprehensible nature of divine love. While we can apprehend aspects of it, its full scope and depth remain beyond our finite capacity to fully grasp or define, inviting a lifelong journey of discovery.
* **"that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."**: This clause states the ultimate purpose and glorious outcome of knowing Christ's surpassing love. The Greek preposition "eis" (G1519, "into" or "unto") suggests a movement towards complete saturation. To be "filled with all the fulness of God" implies a spiritual completeness, where the believer is so permeated by God's presence, character, and power that they reflect His nature. It speaks to a profound spiritual maturity and participation in the divine life, not as a deification of the believer, but as a complete indwelling and empowerment by the Holy Spirit, manifesting God's attributes.

#### Literary Devices
Ephesians 3:19 is rich with literary artistry that underscores its profound theological message. The most prominent device is **Paradox**, evident in the phrase "to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." This seemingly contradictory statement highlights that while human intellect can apprehend aspects of divine love, its true depth and breadth transcend mere cognitive understanding, demanding an experiential, relational knowing that goes beyond rational limits. This paradox emphasizes the transcendent nature of God's love. Furthermore, the phrase "which passeth knowledge" employs **Hyperbole**, a deliberate exaggeration to emphasize the immeasurable and incomparable quality of Christ's love. It is not simply great, but so exceedingly great that it defies full human comprehension. Finally, the culminating phrase "that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" utilizes **Metaphor**. The imagery of being "filled" (like a container) with "fulness" (like a substance) vividly portrays a complete saturation and permeation by God's divine essence, character, and presence, transforming the believer from within.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse presents a profound theological trajectory: the experiential knowledge of Christ's immeasurable love is the conduit through which believers are fully permeated by the very essence of God. It underscores the Trinitarian nature of Christian experience, where the love of Christ (the Son) is apprehended through the Spirit's power (mentioned in [Ephesians 3:16](/ephesians/3-16 "Ephesians 3:16 - Inner Strength")), leading to the indwelling of God (the Father) in His complete fullness. This "fulness of God" is not a mystical absorption into divinity, but a spiritual maturity where the believer's life increasingly reflects God's character, power, and purposes. It speaks to the ultimate goal of redemption: humanity restored to a full relationship with its Creator, participating in His divine nature (as in [2 Peter 1:4](/2_peter/1-4 "2 Peter 1:4 - Partakers of the Divine Nature")) and serving as vessels for His glory.

* [Ephesians 1:23](/ephesians/1-23 "Ephesians 1:23 - The Church as Christ's Fullness")
* [Colossians 2:9-10](/colossians/2-9-10 "Colossians 2:9-10 - Fullness of Godhead in Christ")
* [John 1:16](/john/1-16 "John 1:16 - Grace from Christ's Fullness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 3:19 calls believers to a radical pursuit of intimacy with Christ. It challenges us to move beyond a superficial, intellectual understanding of God's love to a deep, transformative, and experiential knowing that permeates every aspect of our being. This is not a passive process but an active yielding to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to root and ground us in the vastness of Christ's affection. When we truly begin to apprehend this love – even though it surpasses our full comprehension – it becomes the catalyst for profound spiritual change. Being "filled with all the fulness of God" means allowing His character, His holiness, His compassion, and His power to increasingly define us, shaping our thoughts, words, and actions. It implies a life lived in constant communion with God, where His presence is not just acknowledged but deeply felt and manifested, enabling us to live out our calling as His children in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for me to "know" Christ's love in an experiential way, beyond mere intellectual assent?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to allow the "fulness of God" to permeate and transform me more deeply?**
* **How can a deeper understanding of Christ's immeasurable love empower me to live more fully for Him and serve others?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater sense of God's presence and character filling my life?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean for Christ's love to "passeth knowledge"?**

Answer: The phrase "passeth knowledge" (Greek: _hyperballousan gnōseōs_) signifies that Christ's love is so immense, profound, and multifaceted that it transcends the limits of human intellectual comprehension. It's not that we cannot know anything about it, but rather that its full breadth, length, depth, and height (as mentioned in [Ephesians 3:18](/ephesians/3-18 "Ephesians 3:18 - Comprehending Christ's Love")) are beyond our finite capacity to fully grasp or define. It's a love that must be experienced and lived in, rather than merely analyzed or understood. This paradox highlights the divine, infinite nature of God's love, which always holds more to discover, inviting a lifelong journey of deeper intimacy rather than a one-time intellectual conquest. It contrasts with human knowledge, which is limited, and points to a spiritual reality that requires revelation and experiential encounter.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 3:19 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the very embodiment of God's fullness and the perfect revelation of divine love. The "love of Christ" that "passeth knowledge" is not an abstract concept but the demonstrated, sacrificial love of God incarnate, displayed supremely on the cross ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). Jesus is the One "in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Godhead in Christ")). Therefore, to be "filled with all the fulness of God" is to be filled with Christ Himself, to have His life, character, and Spirit increasingly indwell and permeate the believer. As believers, we "are complete in him" ([Colossians 2:10](/colossians/2-10 "Colossians 2:10 - Complete in Christ")), having received "grace for grace" from His fullness ([John 1:16](/john/1-16 "John 1:16 - Grace from Christ's Fullness")). This profound spiritual reality means that through union with Christ, we partake in the very life of God, becoming vessels through whom the Father's love and character are manifested to the world, fulfilling God's redemptive purpose to reconcile all things to Himself through His Son ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Christ's Fullness and Reconciliation")).

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

Ephesians 1:23

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

Colossians 2:9

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Colossians 2:10

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Colossians 1:10

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

2 Corinthians 5:14

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

1 John 4:9

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1 John 4:14

¶ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.