Devine Scripture

Ephesians 3:16

What does Ephesians 3:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 3:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 3:16 means

Paul asks that, according to the riches of God’s glory, the Ephesians be strengthened with power through the Spirit in the inner person. The measure is lavish—God’s own glorious abundance. The location is inward—where convictions are formed and endurance is built. The agent is the Holy Spirit—God Himself invigorating believers. Christianity is not merely external conformity; it is a Spirit-empowered life at the core of one’s being. Such strengthening prepares the heart for a deeper experience of Christ’s presence and equips the church to live out the unity and mission described earlier. Divine resources meet human weakness so that believers may stand firm and grow.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

That in the wealth of his glory he would make you strong with power through his Spirit in your hearts;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that He may give to you, according to the riches of His glory, with might to be strengthened through His Spirit, in regard to the inner man,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened by his Spirit with might unto the inward man:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

in order that he may give you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power by his Spirit in the inner man;

Context

This is the first specific petition of the prayer begun in verse 14. It draws on the Father’s vast resources (verse 15) and asks for inner transformation. Verse 17 will show the purpose—Christ’s indwelling and love’s deep roots—while verses 18–19 will expand to comprehension of Christ’s love and fullness. The sequence moves from power supplied by the Spirit to the resulting habitation of Christ and the experiential knowledge that follows.

v.15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

v.16This passage

v.17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 1:7

    in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

  • Isaiah 41:10

    fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

  • 2 Timothy 4:17

    But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

  • Psalms 138:3

    In the day that I called thou answeredst me, Thou didst encourage me with strength in my soul.

  • Colossians 1:27

    to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

  • 1 Peter 3:4

    but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

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