EPHESIANS 3:14-19

The subject is “the love of God,” or “the love of Christ.” These phrases occur many times in the Bible. When you hear them in English, who is doing the loving? It is equally ambiguous in the Greek, and maybe purposely so. The primary meaning in most cases is God, or Christ's, love for us. But the natural result of this love is that we love Him in return.

Max Lucado says regarding Ephesians 3:14-19. “It is in such passages as these that inspiration rises to its full stature and, like the Colossus of Rhodes, dwarfs its puny inspectors.”

Notice anything unusual about the way the passage ends? This is actually a tip-off to the structure of the whole book of Ephesians.

The Structure of Ephesians

I. Introduction (1:1-2)

II. Position with God through Christ (1:3-14)

III. Power in Christ (1:15-23)

IV. Gentiles’ Past and Present Position Contrasted (2:1-22)

V. The Mystery of Christ: Position and Power (3:1-21)

IV'. Gentiles’ Past and Present Behavior Contrasted (4:1-5:20)

II'. Position with Others through Christ (5:21-6:9)

III'. Power in Christ (6:10-20)

I'. Conclusion (6:21-24)

The structural importance of this center section V is stressed by its opening words in which Paul gives his name for the first time since Ephesians 1:1. This central unit in the epistle is composed of two parts – Ephesians 3:1-13 and 3:14-21 – both introduced by the phrase “for this reason.” In the first, Paul presents himself as the chosen minister to the Gentiles of the mystery of God. In the second, Paul begins with a prayer for the strengthening of the Gentile believers and ends with a benediction and doxology climaxing in “Amen.”

Several metaphors are used in this passage: dwell (be comfortable in), be rooted (plant world), and grounded (foundation of a building).

The thought is the same as expressed in Psalm 1. Being rooted in God leads to fullness of life and power. Look at Jeremiah 17:5-8 for an expansion on Psalm 1:1-3.

Ephesians 3:18: what is he measuring here? It probably refers to God's love due to the immediate context, but at least twenty other interpretations have been given over the years.

Four dimensions are given instead of the usual three. This may indicate the inscrutable nature of God's love.

Warren Wiersbe was once frustrated because the construction of his new church building was going so slowly. The architect reminded him, “If you don't go deep, you can't go high.” Roots go down deep into the soil of God's love.

Max Lucado compares this passage to a deep sea diver surrounded by water so that “water defines him, liberates him, limits him, etc.”

How does water do each of these things? Is the love of God similar?

Love constrains (see II Corinthians 5:14). Jesus uses the same word “constrain” in Luke 12:50.

The Greek word has a broad number of meanings: shut in between two walls, hold fast, hold in custody, leaves no choice, lays legal claim to, etc.

“He is under the all-compelling constraint of Christ's love for him. This love holds him in its grip; so powerful is its influence that he has no choice but to live a life for others.”

How would the world be different if everyone abided in God's love? Would it be any different from the Muslim concept of everyone living according to Allah's law?