Devine Scripture

Ephesians 3:18

What does Ephesians 3:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 3:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 3:18 means

Paul asks that believers have strength to grasp, with all the saints, the breadth, length, height, and depth. The dimensions convey vastness; God’s saving design in Christ is larger than any one person can fathom. Comprehension is communal—“with all the saints”—because this love is experienced in the shared life of the church. Paul prays not for mere notions but for Spirit-enabled apprehension that reshapes affections and conduct. The point is not to map the measurements but to be overwhelmed by the immeasurable scope of God’s redeeming love and purposes, a magnitude best appreciated together as Christ builds one body out of many peoples.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

May have strength to see with all the saints how wide and long and high and deep it is,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that ye may be in strength to comprehend, with all the saints, what <FI>is<Fi> the breadth, and length, and depth, and height,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

You may be able to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

in order that ye may be fully able to apprehend with all the saints what [is] the breadth and length and depth and height;

Context

This petition flows from being rooted in love (verse 17). Having a firm foundation, believers can now grasp more. Verse 18 anticipates the specific focus of verse 19—the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge—and the climactic request to be filled with all God’s fullness. The movement remains from inner strengthening to expansive understanding, highlighting that growth in comprehension requires God’s power and the fellowship of the saints.

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

v.18This passage

v.19and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

Cross references

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

  • Galatians 3:13

    Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

  • Psalms 139:6

    Suchknowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it.

  • Titus 2:13

    looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

  • Psalms 103:17

    But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children;

  • Psalms 116:15

    Precious in the sight of Jehovah Is the death of his saints.

  • Philippians 2:5

    Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

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