Ephesians 3:20

Such love transcends every intellect and every science. But if it transcends every science, how can this wisdom be seen? That is why the Apostle continues: "Now, to him who is able to accomplish all things in a measure far beyond what we ask or …

Now to him - This doxology is admirably adapted to strengthen our faith, that we may not stagger at the great things the apostle has been praying for, as if they were too much for God to give, or for us to expect from him. That is able - Here is a most beautiful gradation.

Take notice how he describes God, and how he ascribes glory to him. He describes him as a God that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. There is an inexhaustible fulness of grace and mercy in God, which the prayers of all the saints can never draw dry.

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-scripture

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly,....

unto him--contrasted with ourselves and our needs. Translate, "that is able above all things (what is above all things) to do exceeding abundantly above what we ask or (even) think": thought takes a wider range than prayers.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase

This chapter has a whole service of worship within itself. It certainly contains a sermon, for Paul gives a very earnest address upon the unveiling of the hidden mystery so that the Gentiles are made partakers of the promise in Christ by the Gospel. It contains a prayer, for one of the verses begins, "For this cause I bow my knees." And in the verses before us it closes with a hymn, a hymn of incomparable praise.

This chapter has a whole service of worship within itself. It certainly contains a sermon, for Paul gives a very earnest address upon the unveiling of the hidden mystery so that the Gentiles are made partakers of the promise in Christ by the Gospel. It contains a prayer, for one of the verses begins, "For this cause I bow my knees." And in the verses before us it closes with a hymn, a hymn of incomparable praise. Thus, in the compass of a short chapter, we have all those devout exercises with which our assemblies for worship are familiar, namely—instruction, supplication, and praise. It was meet that the Apostle should close the chapter as he does, for the doxology here given grows out of the chapter. It is its natural outcome and crowns the whole, even as the flower of the lily is borne up by the stem, completes it and adorns it. The chapter would have been altogether incomplete without the ascription of praise—not perhaps in its sense, but certainly in its spiritual development. Mount Zion doubtless possessed in itself both glory and beauty, but the temple on its summit constituted its most sacred charm. Even so to a noble chapter this doxology is a Divine climax, adding glory and sanctity to all the rest. If you look the chapter through, you will see that the Apostle has represented the Gospel in its various aspects to different persons and generally has set it forth with the word unto. In the fifth verse he speaks of it as manifested unto the sons of men. It was not revealed to them in the olden time so clearly as now, but now unto the holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit, the Gospel is revealed and we live in its clear light, for which we have reason for great thankfulness. It were a good subject to dwell upon—the relation of the Gospel unto the sons of men.

Now unto him - It is not uncommon for Paul to utter an ascription of praise in the midst of an argument; see Rom 9:5; Rom 11:36; Gal 1:5. Here his mind is full of the subject; and in view of the fact that God communicates to his people such blessings - that they may become filled with all his fulness, he desires that praise should be given to him. That is able to do - see the notes, Rom 16:25. Exceeding abundantly - The compound word used here occurs only in this place, and in 1Th 3:10; 1Th 5:13. It means, to an extent which we cannot express. Above all that we ask or think - More than all that we can desire in our prayers; more than all that we can conceive; see the notes on 1Co 2:9. According to the power that worketh in us - The exertion of that same power can accomplish for us more than we can now conceive.

Ephesians 3:20–21 isn't subtle. It doesn't describe a helpful God. Or an encouraging God. Or a symbolic God. It describes a God who does immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.