What does Ephesians 3:19 mean?

Explanation

Ephesians 3:19 is a verse that captures the core of the Apostle Paul's prayer for the Ephesians.

The verse exudes a deep spiritual aspiration that believers might grasp the immensity of Christ's love, a love that surpasses mere knowledge. The literal meaning is fairly straightforward: Paul desires for the Christians in Ephesus to know Christ's love deeply and intimately.

However, the paradox in this statement is that this love "passeth knowledge," suggesting it is beyond the capability of the human mind to fully comprehend.

At a deeper level, the verse conveys the idea that experiencing the love of Christ is transformative and beyond intellectual understanding, it is about being filled with the presence and fullness of God Himself.

Historical Context

Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul, likely while he was imprisoned in Rome around 60-62 AD.

The city of Ephesus was a significant cultural and economic hub in the Roman province of Asia Minor, present-day Turkey.

It had a diverse population with a mix of religious beliefs, including the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis.

This epistle addresses a Gentile audience and aims to assert the unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians as well as present the cosmic scope of God's redemptive plan.

In the immediate context, Ephesians 3:14-21 is a prayer where Paul bows his knees to the Father, praying for the spiritual strengthening of believers.

Theological Insights

The verse harbors rich theological insights.

The phrase "to know the love of Christ" points to a relational and experiential knowledge rather than purely intellectual assent.

It speaks to the Christian doctrine of sanctification, where believers grow in the divine love of Christ.

The mention of love "which passeth knowledge" points to the infinite and incomprehensible nature of God's love, which can be experienced but never fully understood or explained.

Finally, "that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" suggests a divine indwelling where a believer's life reflects God's character and presence.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of this verse are manifold.

It encourages believers to pursue a relationship with Christ that goes beyond head knowledge and into heartfelt experience.

This might involve deepening one's prayer life, meditation on Scripture, and engaging in acts of love that reflect Christ's love for humanity.

The verse also challenges Christians to seek spiritual growth and maturity, not just intellectual understanding of faith. Being filled with the fullness of God implies allowing God's character to infuse every aspect of one's life, influencing actions and decisions.

Cross-References

• Philippians 4:7 - "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
• John 17:3 - "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
• Colossians 2:9-10 - "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:"

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word used for "to know" is "γνῶναι" (gnōnai), which can refer to intimate or experiential knowledge.

The phrase "which passeth knowledge" uses "ὑπερβάλλουσαν τῆς γνώσεως" (hyperballousan tēs gnōseōs) where "ὑπερβάλλουσαν" (hyperballousan) means 'to surpass' or 'to exceed,' stressing the idea that Christ's love goes beyond human comprehension.

"Fulness" translates from "πλήρωμα" (plērōma), conveying abundance, completion, or that which is filled to the brim.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The notion of a love that surpasses understanding is not unique to Christianity; various religious traditions emphasize the idea of divine love or compassion that exceeds human grasp.

For example, in Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, divine love is something to be experienced deeply within the heart, transcending rational thought.

Similarly, in Hinduism, the concept of Bhakti centers around a devoted love towards a personal deity, where love and devotion override intellectual understanding.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives on this verse would largely revolve around the study of human consciousness and experiences of transcendence. Psychology might explore the emotional and mental effects of experiencing deep love and what it means to be 'filled' with a feeling or emotion.

While science focuses on empirical evidence and knowledge, this verse speaks to experiences that fall outside the scope of scientific measurement or full understanding.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various perspectives on this verse.

Many contend that Paul raises a paradox between knowing and the surpassing nature of Christ's love to illustrate the experiential nature of faith, something that is felt and lived more than dissected intellectually.

Commentators like Matthew Henry emphasize the need for divine strength to comprehend such profound truths.

Moreover, the idea of being filled with all the fullness of God is often seen as the zenith of Christian experience and spiritual maturity, an ongoing process rather than a one-time event.