Devine Scripture

Ephesians 3:19

What does Ephesians 3:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 3:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 3:19 means

Paul prays that they would know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that they may be filled unto all the fullness of God. This is experiential knowledge—real acquaintance with Christ’s love—that nevertheless always exceeds full comprehension. The aim is fullness: a life so shaped by God’s presence and character that nothing essential is lacking. Christ’s love is the pathway to that maturity; as His love grips the heart, believers reflect God’s fullness in holiness, unity, and joy. The paradox—knowing what surpasses knowledge—shows that Christian growth never ends; we are always being drawn deeper into the inexhaustible love of our Lord.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And to have knowledge of the love of Christ which is outside all knowledge, so that you may be made complete as God himself is complete.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

to know also the love of the Christ that is exceeding the knowledge, that ye may be filled--to all the fulness of God;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

To know also the charity of Christ, which surpasseth all knowledge: that you may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and to know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge; that ye may be filled [even] to all the fulness ofGod.

Context

This is the summit of Paul’s petitions. Verse 19 completes the prayer’s inner arc: strengthened by the Spirit (verse 16), indwelt by Christ and rooted in love (verse 17), enabled to grasp the vastness of God’s purposes (verse 18), believers now pursue experiential knowledge that leads to fullness. The doxology in verses 20–21 will ascribe glory to the God who can grant such impossible-sounding requests, linking divine power to the church’s transformation.

v.18may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

v.19This passage

v.20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 5:2

    and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.

  • Revelation 7:15

    Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:14

    For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died;

  • Philippians 4:7

    And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

  • Revelation 22:3

    And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him;

  • Ephesians 3:18

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

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