That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
What does Ephesians 3:16 mean?
The apostle seems to be more anxious lest the believers should be discouraged and faint upon his tribulations, than for what he himself had to bear. He asks for spiritual blessings, which are the best blessings.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Ephesians 3:13-17 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Ephesians 3:16
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; According to the riches of his glory - According to the glorious abundance of his mercy; see Philippians 4:19 . Out of those stores of rich grace which can never be exhausted. The word "riches," so often used by Paul, denotes "abundance," and the idea here is, that his grace was inexhaustible and ample for all their needs. To be strengthened with might - To be powerfully strengthened. That is, to give you abundant strength to bear trials; to perform your duties; to glorify his name.
Key words
- according
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Or according to, and out of that rich, plenteous, and glorious fulness of grace and strength in Christ Jesus.
- strengthened
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To be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; this is the petition which the apostle puts up on his bended knees to the Father of Christ, that he would strengthen these saints, that so they might not faint at the tribulations which either he or they endured.
- might
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To be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; this is the petition which the apostle puts up on his bended knees to the Father of Christ, that he would strengthen these saints, that so they might not faint at the tribulations which either he or they endured.
Context in Ephesians 3
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Ephesians 3 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as from death to life and Jew-Gentile unity. Ephesians presents the church as Christ’s body and temple, chosen in grace, united across dividing walls, and called to mature holy life. Read this chapter with the wider themes of union with Christ, church, and grace in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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