Ephesians 3:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

NIV: For this reason I kneel before the Father,

NASB: For this reason I bend my knees before the Father,

CSB: For this reason I kneel before the Father

NLT: When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,

KJV: For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

NKJV: For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Paul transitions from a discussion of the "mystery" of God to a time of prayer in Ephesians 3:14–21. His prayer is based on what he had previously discussed ("For this reason…"). This includes boldness and confident access to the Lord (Ephesians 3:12). He starts his prayer by referring to his sense of humility, through "bowing" before God.

Paul knew that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow" (Philippians 2:10; Romans 14:11). This also powerfully connected with his last meeting with the Ephesian elders. When that assembly ended, Acts 20:36–38 records, "And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again." Still years later, he continued to bow as he prayed via letter with his friends in Ephesus.

Ephesians 3:14–21 is a prayer from Paul on behalf of the Christians of Ephesus. This prayer begins a transition from the first half of his letter, focused on doctrinal ideas, to the second half, where those ideas are put into practice. The natural theme for this transition is an appeal for spiritual strength from God. In particular, Paul asks God to help the Ephesians exhibit a faith which goes beyond knowledge (doctrine) into action (application).

Ephesians chapter 3 wraps up Paul's doctrinal teaching and introduces its practical application. Paul refers to both his imprisonment and to his spiritual calling. This calling includes proclaiming the fact that all people, Jew and Gentile, can now be part of the same spiritual family. Paul also prays for the spiritual strength of the Ephesian church, as he prepares to explain how knowledge about Christ should translate into living for Christ.

The first three chapters of Ephesians are doctrinal, the last three are practical. Chapter 3 begins the transition from a Christian understanding of salvation, grace, and the power of Christ into a practical guide for Christian living. To make the transition, in this chapter, Paul refers to his own calling by God and prays for the spiritual strength of the Ephesian church. The early verses of chapter 4 will flow out of Paul's references to his own imprisonment.

Ephesians follows a theme common in Paul's writings: connecting theory with practice. In this book, however, he goes into greater depth before making the transition. As a letter meant to be read by more than just the believers at Ephesus, this is an important look at how Christian belief should translate into Christian action. The first three chapters lay out spiritual ideas, the last three chapters show how these truths should be applied in the life of a mature believer. Paul focuses heavily on love, the unity of the Christian church, and the incredible value of our salvation through Christ.

Accessed 5/3/2024 1:22:58 PM