Devine Scripture

Ephesians 1:19

What does Ephesians 1:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 1:19 means

Paul wants believers to know “the exceeding greatness of his power” toward those who believe. This is not a distant force but God’s active might on their behalf, described with piled-up terms—working, strength, might—to stress its magnitude. The Christian life is sustained not by human resolve but by divine power. Faith is the channel, not the cause. This power enables endurance, transformation, and witness. To assure them, Paul will point to the definitive display of this power: the resurrection and exaltation of Christ. The power at work in them is resurrection power, already engaged for their good.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And how unlimited is his power to us who have faith, as is seen in the working of the strength of his power,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and what the exceeding greatness of His power to us who are believing, according to the working of the power of His might,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us, who believe according to the operation of the might of his power,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and what the surpassing greatness of his power towards us who believe, according to the working of the might of his strength,

Context

Verse 19 completes the trio of things Paul prays they would know: hope, riches, and power (verses 18–19). It sets up verses 20–23, where Paul anchors this power in a concrete event—God’s raising Christ—and in Christ’s cosmic reign. The flow ensures that believers base their confidence not on feelings but on God’s decisive actions in history and his present sovereignty. What God has done for Christ guarantees what he will do for those united to Christ.

v.18having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

v.19This passage

v.20which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ephesians 2:10

    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

  • Colossians 2:12

    having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

  • Isaiah 53:1

    Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?

  • James 1:18

    Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

  • Philippians 2:13

    for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:7

    But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;

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