Exceeding Abundantly Above Ephesians 3:20

Paul the apostle desired for the Ephesian church members to know “the breadth, and length, and depth and height” of “the love of Christ” which “passes knowledge”, and that they would “be filled with all the fullness of God”. In chapter three and verse twenty of his letter, Paul praises and honors God's character as he declared Him able to “do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think” where we read:

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above

all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

The verse begins, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above...” Paul began with the phrase, “Now unto him that is able” which means “but, moreover and toward God who has power by His own ability and resources, state of mind and favorable circumstances”“to do” which means “make, bring forth, produce, construct, form and fashion” “exceeding” or “over, beyond, for the sake of and the very chiefest” “abundantly above” which means “out from and exceeding some number or measure or rank or need, supremely, extraordinary and uncommon”. Paul refers to God as the one who can do “over and above” what anyone else can do.

The verse continues, “...all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” Paul added, “all that” or “each, every, any, all, the whole and everyone of which or what” “we ask” which means “beg, call, crave, desire and require” “or think” or “perceive with the mind, understand, heed, ponder and consider”, “according to” which means “down from, throughout, according to, toward and along” “to the power” or “mighty work, strength, miracle, might, virtue and ability” “that works” which means “to be operative, put forth power, aid and effect” “in us” which refers to Paul and the Ephesian church members. Paul specified what God can do within us more than anyone else as he referred to all we can “imagine” or “crave and desire”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we admire his noting God's far exceeding ability to surpass anything we “ask for” or “think about”. This should inspire us to “think” big and “ask” big as God is able to “exceed” and “surpass” even our greatest “desires” and “inquiries”. May the Lord bless us with the the inspiration to seek Him in all our “thoughts” and “hopes” as we abundantly continue in our relationship with Him.

Next time Paul declares, “unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.