Understanding the Magnitude of God's Power

Praying for Other Believers

Paul's heartfelt prayer provides us with an example of how to pray for other believers. First, he thanked God for them (Eph 1:15-16). He also asked for God to give them an understanding spirit (Eph 1:17). He prayed that they would understanding the full scope of their calling and that they would more fully understand the glory of their future, eternal inheritance (Eph 1:18). In addition to these requests, he also prayed that they would understand something else - the power of God that stands behind them.

The Exhaustive, Comprehensive Power of God

In describing this request, Paul supplies an additional degree of emphasis. He does this in two ways. First, he uses a variety of words which mean power. Second, he describes this power in magnified and superlative ways. Regarding the first, he uses five words for power.

• δύναμις (dynamis) refers to his ability to do things ("his power," Eph 1:19).
• ἐνέργεια (energeia) refers to something that he does or accomplishes ("the working," Eph 1:19).
• ἰσχύς (ischys) refers to his capability, strength, and personal potential ("mighty," Eph 1:19).
• κράτος (kratos) refers to his might and strength ("power," Eph 1:19).
• ἐνεργέω (energeō) refers to the act of working, producing, or causing something to happen ("worked," Eph 1:20).

To understand this compact mixture of different but related words, it seems best to focus on the meaning which they share together rather than to press for precise differences between each one. By using these words all at once, Paul emphasizes the sheer magnitude of God's power. His power is comprehensive and exhaustive, not limited to one word or another. He is, in fact, all-powerful and omnipotent.Paul intensifies this emphasis on God's supreme, awe-inspiring power by describing it in magnified and superlative ways. He says that it is exceeding, which means that it surpasses your ability to measure or comprehend; it is the highest degree of power (Eph 1:19). He also says that it is great, which means that it is the highest, most impressive kind of power that exists (Eph 1:19). With this in mind, Paul prayed that the believers he knew would increase in their understanding of this divine power of a colossal magnitude.

The Focus of God's Power

Paul explains the way that this power relates to the life of an ordinary Christian like you. He explained how it is relevant for the Christians for whom he prayed, with equal importance to the Christians for whom you pray as well. Like a magnifying glass which concentrates sunlight to a dry leaf and as Niagara Falls gushes its water on the ground below, God channels his power towards those who believe (Eph 1:19). He does not scatter it indiscriminately to everyone in the world. He directs it unreservedly toward those who believe on Christ.To better understand the nature of this power, you need to consider the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ (Eph 1:20-22). God displayed the full magnitude of his power when he accomplished his redemptive work through Christ. That same resurrection power stands behind you today, secured by the authority of Christ as God and King at the divine throne. He exercises all power and authority over the kingdoms of this world, the rulers of the spiritual world, and all aspects of nature throughout the entire universe.This power secures your final salvation and place in God's kingdom, no matter what powers, authorities, or influences threaten you in this life - even if that be Satan himself. This power also enables you to navigate the challenges of this present life in a skillful and victorious way. Do you understand the magnitude of this power? Does it undergird the decisions that you make, the way that you think and live, and the way that you pray? Do you live in calm reliance upon the magnificent power of God at work on your behalf, or do you live in fear of the other lower (far lower) powers which you also encounter?About this passage of Scripture (Eph 1:15-23), Max Anders shares the following remarks:

This, then, is the lot of the Christian—a rich lot but one we scarcely comprehend. We have been chosen by God the Father to be his spiritual children. In Christ, our sins have been forgiven, and we have been given an inheritance that this world knows no way to measure. In the Holy Spirit, we have been sealed in Christ, made secure until our final redemption when we will see the Lord face-to-face. Clearly, the magnitude of these blessings escapes us, or else we would be more consistent in living for him than we are. That is why Paul ends the chapter by praying for us that we might comprehend the significance and magnitude of the blessings. (Max Anders, Galatians-Colossians, vol. 8, Holman New Testament Commentary [Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1999], 94-5).

We would do well to consider the things that Paul emphasizes in his prayer for other believers. We would also do well to pray for other believers, making similar requests.