Ephesians chapter 3

vs 12

It's worth noting that the NASB and KVJ divide the sentences differently to the NIV and TNIV, which have vs 11 as the beginning of a new sentence including vs 12. This seems to happen a lot in Ephesians.

I've got to say I think the T/NIV reads a lot more easily. And so we end up with this complete idea contained in vs 12, which states that it is only because of Christ that we can approach God, and that in a free and confident way. It's a little more technical too - we have to be 'in Christ', and have faith in Christ too.

vs 13

This links back to the ideas expressed in vs 7-10ish, indicating that since Paul is a servant of God, and since everything is unfolding as part of God's big plan, that they should not be upset about Paul suffering, but instead realise soberly that without it, the Ephesians would never have had God's glory.

vs 14

Obviously in submission (from the previous verses), but also from later verses this seems to be a prayer position too.

vs 15

I've got to say that the note in the TNIV is hugely useful in pointing out that the word for family has a root in the greek word for Father, so you can see that Paul is making a wordplay here. I'm guessing family in heaven is a reference to the trinity? But it could also relate to ancestral families that have since passed on - I don't know if angels have families.

vs 16

God has so much wealth of different kinds at his disposal, that whenever he does something, he does it out of an incredible surplus. So we can always expect him to be generous. Paul certainly seems to expect that. But of course Paul shows openly that he expecting a richness that blesses the 'inner being', rather than the outer wallet.

vs 17

It is through such blessing, then, that Christ dwells in us. And so in a few short verses Paul has again mentioned Christ living in us, and us living in Christ. This process happens by faith, not by any other way. And now Paul's prayer continues, having established this first step, which will provide a foundation in love...

vs 18

So love comes first, then power. But it is not just power for the sake of power, it is power which enables us to better understand love - the love of Christ!

vs 19

Because knowing this love (not just knowing about it, because it surpasses knowledge) is knowing everything about God. All the fullness of God is there contained.

vs 20

I must say my own prayers rarely contain these cool little benedictions. Or doxologies. I can't remember which is which. Basically this one states that no matter how much Paul asks for, God is able to do immeasurably more. You notice then that this is the second time that Paul has had the expectation that God gives generously and overflowingly.

vs 21

And if God does act in such a way, he certainly does deserve glory - and when it says "in the church and in Christ" I think it means because of the church and because of Christ. I guess it could mean that he should be glorified inside the church and inside Christ. I think that's less likely personally.