And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
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}.
yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing, so that you will be filled with all the fullness of God.
of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.
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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.
Commentary on Ephesians 3:19 (KJV)
This powerful verse concludes Paul's profound prayer for the Ephesian believers, expressing his desire for their spiritual growth and understanding. It follows his request that they be rooted and grounded in love and empowered by the Spirit to grasp the breadth, length, depth, and height of Christ's love.
Context
Ephesians chapter 3 finds the Apostle Paul explaining his ministry to the Gentiles and the mystery of Christ. He then transitions into a fervent prayer for the church in Ephesus, starting from Ephesians 3:14. This verse (3:19) is the culmination of that prayer, articulating the ultimate goal of their spiritual comprehension and experience.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "knowledge" used here (γνῶσις - gnosis) refers to intellectual apprehension. However, the verb "to know" (γινώσκω - ginosko) often implies a deeper, experiential knowing, much like the biblical concept of knowing a person. The phrase "passeth knowledge" (ὑπερβάλλουσαν τῆς γνώσεως - hyperballousan tēs gnōseōs) emphasizes that Christ's love is so vast and deep that it exceeds our intellectual capacity to fully comprehend it. The term "fulness" (πλήρωμα - plērōma) denotes completion, totality, or that which fills up. Being filled with the "fulness of God" suggests being completely indwelt, empowered, and characterized by God's presence and nature, perhaps echoing the idea of Christ himself embodying the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Reflection and Application
This verse challenges believers to seek a deeper, experiential relationship with Christ and His love. It's not enough to know *about* God's love; we are called to *know* it in a way that transforms us. This transformative knowledge, while surpassing intellectual limits, is accessible through the Holy Spirit (as mentioned earlier in the prayer). The result of this deep knowing is profound: being filled with God's very presence and character. This suggests that spiritual maturity and completeness come not from striving in our own strength, but from allowing the reality of Christ's immeasurable love to fill every part of our being, enabling us to live lives that reflect God's nature.