Introduction In perhaps one of the Apostle Paul’s most heartfelt prayers, Ephesians 3:14-19 paints the picture of how to be filled with the fullness of God. Paul appeals to the Lord for the church of Ephesus, not for freedom from sin or wrongdoings, but rather that they may use their foundation set upon the love of Christ to know how immeasurable His love truly is. He prays that the Ephesians may have faith, love, power, and knowledge, all so that they may know Christ. This prayer did not end with the Ephesians, rather it is a call to the modern Church to keep its foundation firm upon Christ so that they may truly know the vastness of Christ’s love for His people. This prayer resounds through the ages, and contains the same message for us
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Rather than being a letter of rebuke or correction, Ephesians leans more on Paul’s prayer for the church as a whole. The letter seems to be directed not only at the Church of Ephesus, but rather the church as a community. Penned during one of Paul’s time of imprisonment, he strives to make the reader understand the need to further their relationship with Christ Jesus. He calls the reader to be strengthened in faith and understanding of God. Time after time he urges the reader to be filled with the Spirit of God, and in doing so how to be strengthened by it. Paul expresses great love for the church and its people, reminding them they are children of God and they are sealed by His love. Ephesians 3:14-19 emphasizes this call to be strengthened in His spirit, and gives the reader instructions of how to do …show more content…
In his time, kneeling was not the normal or ordinary way of praying. Throughout scripture, praying is usually associated with standing. In Mark 11:25, Jesus says “When you stand praying…”, leaving the normal posture of praying to be standing. By kneeling, Paul was showing his seriousness and his passion for this prayer. Paul then refers states that “the whole family in heaven and earth” is named solely after the Father. According to Andrew T. Lincoln, the “whole family of heaven” is best interpreted as “referring to family groupings or classes of angels.” What is more important in this passage though is the direction towards “the whole family of the earth.” This stands as a reminder that Christians are all of the same family of Christ Jesus. This included all people, regardless of race or gender. While modern Christians may not take it as seriously, the people of that time period were used to a divided culture, where only certain people were allowed to be a part of the same religious, i.e. the Jews. Now that Gentiles and Jews were of the same branch, they all hand equal standing and connection to the Father. What was once a splinter of people were now a family all of the same name: Child of
Rather than being a letter of rebuke or correction, Ephesians leans more on Paul’s prayer for the church as a whole. The letter seems to be directed not only at the Church of Ephesus, but rather the church as a community. Penned during one of Paul’s time of imprisonment, he strives to make the reader understand the need to further their relationship with Christ Jesus. He calls the reader to be strengthened in faith and understanding of God. Time after time he urges the reader to be filled with the Spirit of God, and in doing so how to be strengthened by it. Paul expresses great love for the church and its people, reminding them they are children of God and they are sealed by His love. Ephesians 3:14-19 emphasizes this call to be strengthened in His spirit, and gives the reader instructions of how to do …show more content…
In his time, kneeling was not the normal or ordinary way of praying. Throughout scripture, praying is usually associated with standing. In Mark 11:25, Jesus says “When you stand praying…”, leaving the normal posture of praying to be standing. By kneeling, Paul was showing his seriousness and his passion for this prayer. Paul then refers states that “the whole family in heaven and earth” is named solely after the Father. According to Andrew T. Lincoln, the “whole family of heaven” is best interpreted as “referring to family groupings or classes of angels.” What is more important in this passage though is the direction towards “the whole family of the earth.” This stands as a reminder that Christians are all of the same family of Christ Jesus. This included all people, regardless of race or gender. While modern Christians may not take it as seriously, the people of that time period were used to a divided culture, where only certain people were allowed to be a part of the same religious, i.e. the Jews. Now that Gentiles and Jews were of the same branch, they all hand equal standing and connection to the Father. What was once a splinter of people were now a family all of the same name: Child of