Devine Scripture

Ephesians 3:20

What does Ephesians 3:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 3:20 means

Paul concludes with praise to the God who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to His power at work in us. The measure of God’s answer surpasses the measure of our prayers and imaginations. The power is not distant; it already operates in believers through the Spirit. This reassures the church that the grand petitions just made are not beyond reach. Doxology grounds faith: we look away from our resources to God’s surpassing ability. Prayer thus ends in worship, reminding us that every gift requested—strength, indwelling, comprehension, fullness—depends on His active, generous might.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now to him who is able to do in full measure more than all our desires or thoughts, through the power which is working in us,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and to Him who is able above all things to do exceeding abundantly what we ask or think, according to the power that is working in us,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now to him who is able to do all things more abundantly than we desire or understand, according to the power that worketh in us:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But to him that is able to do far exceedingly above all which we ask or think, according to the power which works in us,

Context

After the mountain-peak requests of verses 16–19, verse 20 answers the implied question, “Can God do this?” with a resounding yes. It ties the prayer to God’s present power in the church, preparing the final ascription of glory in verse 21. The flow moves naturally from petition to praise, anchoring confidence not in human effort but in divine capability that exceeds all human calculation.

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

v.20This passage

v.21unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.

Cross references

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

  • Daniel 6:20

    And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

  • Jude 1:24

    Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy,

  • Matthew 3:9

    and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

  • Colossians 1:29

    whereunto I labor also, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

  • Genesis 18:4

    let now a little water be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

  • John 10:10

    The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

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