The Great Prayer of Ephesians

There is a third aspect of God’s power that must be discussed, and that is energeo. This power is found in a sense of activity or performance of energy. The source of the energy is not always iden-tified, but in the context, it is usually divine or demonic power. According to Kittel this word occurs one time in Wisdom, and II Maccabees and III Maccabees, thus there is no Hebrew original of this word The word energeo is widely used in connection with cosmic energy and power. When used in conjunction with du&namiv it signifies a cosmic phenomenon of very great propor-tions. The cosmic power awakens epic proportion of terror. This kind of strength is often consid-ered to be kosmokra)torev.

Ephesians 6:12

KJV

[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers (kosmokra)torev ) of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians 6:12

NIV

[12]For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authori-ties, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heav-enly realms.

The conclusion of this prayer is a beautiful doxology, bringing great praise to God. It does bring in the fact that God has this limitless power. This power is a prominent theme in all of the doxologies that Paul writes. This said, there is a special attribute to this Doxology in that it brings three types of God’s power together: du)namai (verb), du&namiv, (noun) and e)nerge0w. This verse, with the blending together of the three types of power is probably the strongest single doxology in the entire Word of God. It combines all this power, which is considered to be strong in a cosmos sense, a world sense and a spiritual sense. To bring a greater awareness of God’s power to the read-ers Paul uses the statement “above all that we ask of think.” God can do exceeding above -this puts a rhetorical stress on God’s power to intervene and act on behalf of His people. This receives yet further emphasis by Paul’s use of the adverb u(perekperissou~. The reader should un-derstand that God has already proven His superior ability in each of these realms.

“Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” requires the “we” be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, length, depth and height. Without that degree of comprehension, the ability of thought on that great of a scale is not possible.

Isaiah 14:12-19

NIV

[12] How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

[13]You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.

[14] I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”

[15] But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.

[16] Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble,

[17]the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?”

[18] All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb.

[19] But you are cast out of your tomb like a rejected branch; you are covered with the slain, with those pierced by the sword, those who descend to the stones of the pit. Like a corpse trampled underfoot,

This set of verses shows that God has overcome in the Spiritual realm and in the Cosmos. To see God’s power in application in the physical realm we need to look just after the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts.

Acts 3:1-9

KJV

[1] Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

[2] And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

[3] Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

[4] And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

[5] And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

[6] Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

[7] And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

[8] And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

[9] And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

This brings us to the conclusion of the expanded translation of this important verse. Both of these expanded translations really fall short of communicating the greatness inside of this verse.

Ephesians 3:20

Expanded Version

[20] Now to Him who is able and ready to perform exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or can conceptualize. All this is in accordance with the Power of God, which worketh in us

OR

Ephesians 3:20

Expanded Version #2

[20] Now to God, who is able and ready to perform on behalf of His people, exceeding far more abundantly than we can think, or conceptualize, in the spiritual realm, in the cosmos, and in the earthly places. All this strength is utilized in accordance with the power of God who worketh in us