Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Now {G1161} unto him that is able {G1410} to do {G4160} exceeding {G5228} abundantly {G1537}{G4053} above {G5228} all {G3956} that {G3739} we ask {G154} or {G2228} think {G3539}, according to {G2596} the power {G1411} that worketh {G1754} in {G1722} us {G2254},

Now to him who by his power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine,

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,

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Ephesians 3:20 is a powerful doxology, a song of praise to God, concluding Paul’s profound prayer for the Ephesian believers. It serves as a triumphant declaration of God’s limitless ability and generosity, reinforcing the themes of divine power and purpose that run throughout the book.

Context

This verse immediately follows Paul’s fervent prayer for the Ephesian church in Ephesians 3:14-19, where he petitions God to grant them inner strength through the Spirit, to be rooted in love, and to comprehend the vastness of Christ's love. Having articulated his deep spiritual desires for them, Paul then pivots to this magnificent affirmation of the God to whom he prays. It’s a reminder that the God who can strengthen them and make them comprehend His love is also capable of far more than they could ever imagine.

Key Themes

  • God's Boundless Ability: The phrase "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" highlights God's infinite capacity. His power is not limited by human comprehension, imagination, or even our boldest prayers. He can accomplish things far beyond our grandest conceptions.
  • Divine Generosity: Beyond mere ability, this verse speaks to God's nature of superabundant giving. He doesn't just meet needs or answer prayers; He surpasses them with an overflow of grace and power.
  • The Indwelling Power of the Spirit: Crucially, this immense power is "according to the power that worketh in us." This emphasizes that God's incredible work is not just external but is actualized through the active presence of the Holy Spirit within believers. It is the Spirit who empowers us for Christian living and service, enabling God to work through us to achieve His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "exceeding abundantly" is huperekperissou (ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ). This compound word is intensely emphatic: hyper- (beyond, over), ek- (out of), and perissos (superabundant, excessive). It conveys a sense of overwhelming, immeasurable surplus – truly "beyond superabundant." This term powerfully conveys God's capacity to do things that are not just more than we ask or think, but vastly, overwhelmingly more. The "power that worketh in us" comes from the Greek word energeō (ἐνεργέω), from which we get "energy," implying an active, effective, and dynamic force at work within the believer.

Related Scriptures

This verse resonates with other scriptures that speak of God's limitless power and provision. It aligns with the promise that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. Jesus himself spoke of believers doing greater works because He goes to the Father, which points to the Spirit's empowering work. It serves as a foundation for confident prayer, knowing that the Spirit intercedes for us according to God's will.

Practical Application

Ephesians 3:20 offers immense encouragement for believers today. It calls us to:

  • Pray with Boldness: Knowing God's immeasurable ability should transform our prayer lives, encouraging us to ask for great things, not limited by our own perception of what is possible.
  • Trust Beyond Understanding: When faced with overwhelming circumstances, this verse reminds us that God's solutions and provisions often exceed our understanding.
  • Recognize the Spirit's Role: It emphasizes that God's power is not distant but is actively working within us through the Holy Spirit, empowering us for His purposes.
  • Cultivate Hope: It instills profound hope, reminding us that God is always at work, doing more than we can conceive, for His glory and our good.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:8

    And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:

  • Romans 4:21

    And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

  • Jeremiah 32:27

    Behold, I [am] the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

  • Jude 1:24

    Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

  • 1 Corinthians 2:9

    But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

  • Ephesians 1:19

    And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

  • Jeremiah 32:17

    Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, [and] there is nothing too hard for thee:
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