NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO FAR
MORE ABUNDANTLY BEYOND ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK: To de dunameno (PPPMSD) huper panta poiesai (AAN)
huperekperissou on aitoumetha (1PPMI) e nooumen (1PPAI): (Genesis
17:1;
18:4;
2 Chronicles 25:9;
Jeremiah 32:17,27;
Daniel 3:17;
6:20;
Matthew 3:9;
John 10:29,30;
Romans 4:21;
16:25;
Hebrews 7:25;
11:19;
13:20,21;
James 4:12;
Jude 1:24)
(Exodus
34:6;
2 Samuel 7:19;
1 Kings 3:13;
Psalms 36:8,9;
Song of Solomon 5:1;
Isaiah 35:2;
55:7;
John 10:10;
1 Corinthians 2:9;
1 Timothy 1:14;
2 Peter 1:11)
Now to Him
- marks another of Pauline doxology (a liturgical formula of praise to
God)
Now (1161)
(de) is used here as a marker linking narrative segments.
Able
(1410)
(dunamai) means to have power by virtue of inherent ability and
resources. This refers to God's ability to do literally "above all
things". The
present tense
emphasizes God is continually able! The doxology begins with an
ascription of power to God. He is the powerful One (see note Romans
16:25; Jude 24, 25), Who
can accomplish incredibly great deeds on behalf of His children, those
whom compose His dwelling.
John Eadie
writes that...
The apostle supposes his prayer to be
answered, and all its requests conferred. The Divine Giver of such
munificent donations is surely worthy of all homage, and especially
worthy of all homage in the character of the answerer of prayer. By "now"
he passes to a different subject—from recipients to the Giver. Praise
succeeds prayer—the anthem is its fitting conclusion. (John Eadie, D.,
LL.D. The Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians)
To do
(4160)
(poieo) means to accomplish (as it is related to the undertaking
of actions or bringing about states or conditions) expressing an action
as continued or not yet completed.
Abundantly
beyond
(huperekperissou from huper = above + ek =
intensifies meaning, adding idea of exhaustlessness + perissos =
exceeding some number or measure, over and above, more than necessary)
means means surpassing, superabundantly, surpassingly, beyond measure,
exceedingly, quite beyond all measure, overwhelming, over and above,
more than enough. It describes an extraordinary degree, involving a
considerable excess over what would be expected. As F F Bruce has said
here we encounter another "one of Paul’s coined ‘super-superlatives'".
Huperekperissou
is the the highest form of comparison imaginable and so means
immeasurably more than, quite beyond all measure, infinitely more than.
Vincent writes
that this is...
One of the numerous compounds of
huper - beyond, over and above, of which Paul is fond. Of 28 words
compounded with this preposition in the New Testament, Paul alone uses
20.
Huperekperissou
is found only 3 times in all the Bible (Eph. 3:20; 1 Thess. 3:10; 5:13)
For what thanks can we render to God
for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God
on your account, 10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly
(huperekperissou - praying with extreme earnestness, pray as earnestly
as possible) that we may see your face, and may complete what is
lacking in your faith? (1Thes 3:9-10)
But we request of you, brethren, that
you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge
over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem
them very highly (huperekperissou) in love because of their work.
Live in peace with one another. (1Thes 5:12-13)
Exceeding
abundantly beyond all that you could ask or think is the potential of
God in every believer's life! This ascription of praise to God’s ability
expresses our assurance of answered prayer. Why should we hesitate to
offer our deepest petitions?
David said
“my cup overflows” (Ps 23:5)
Believers can say
“He brought me to the banquet hall
and His banner over me is love” (Song 2:4)
Constable
writes that...
The basis for Paul’s confidence that
God is able to do far beyond what he had prayed for or could even
imagine was God’s bringing Jews and Gentiles together in one body. With
God’s provision of love, both groups could function harmoniously
together in the church. Glory would come to God in the church for
uniting these two previously irreconcilable groups and for enabling them
to love and to work together as fellow members of the same body. This
praise will continue forever. (Expository
Notes)
Wuest
comments that the compound word huperekperissou
is a superlative of superlatives in
force. It speaks of the ability of God to do something, that ability
having more than enough potential power, this power exhaustless, and
then some on top of that.
Thus, Paul says that God is
able to do super-abundantly above and beyond what we ask or think, and
then some on top of that. (Wuest,
K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans)
Ask
(154)
(aiteo) means to ask for something to be given with a sense of urgency and
even to the point of demanding. Aiteo reflects a request of one's
will means to ask for, with a
claim on receipt of an answer. Note the use
middle voice
which conveys the idea of asking for one’s self or in one’s own
interest.
Our highest
aspirations are not beyond God’s power to grant.
Jowett said
something like this...
What I have asked for is as nothing
compared to the ability of my God to give. I’ve asked for a cupful, and
the ocean remains. I’ve asked for a sunbeam, and the sun abides. My best
asking falls immeasurably short of my Father’s giving. It’s beyond all
that we can ask.
Arthur T.
Pierson once said that there is a sevenfold measure of the
power of God is Paul's benediction. First, God’s able to do first what
we ask. Second, He is able to do all that we ask. Third, He is able to
do what we think. Fourth, He is able to do all that we think. Fifth, He
is able to do above all that we ask or think. Sixth, He is able to do
abundantly above all that we ask or think. And seventh, He is able to do
exceeding, abundant above all that we could ask or think. Now what do we
need? Hallelujah and Amen is all that's left to say!
O'Brien has an
insightful note writing that...
The apostle Paul was accustomed to
asking God for extravagant blessings on behalf of his Christian readers
(see notes
Philippians 1:9;
Philippians 4:19;
Colossians 1:9;
1:10;
1:11;
1:12;
1:13;
1:14;
1Thess. 3:12; 2 Thes 1:3; cf. 1Cor 1:5). Here he has just petitioned
the Father for spiritual blessings of extraordinary value, including the
request that they might be filled to the measure of all the fulness of
God. Armitage Robinson writes of this petition: No prayer that has ever
been framed has uttered a bolder request. Has the apostle, then, gone
over the top? No, for it is impossible to ask for too much since the
Fathers giving exceeds their capacity for asking or even imagining. (O'Brien,
P. T. The Letter to the Ephesians. W. B. Eerdmans. 1999
or
computer version)
Boice
comments that...
When Paul says “we” he
includes himself. He is saying that even he, the great apostle, cannot
fully understand or even imagine all that God is going to do for us. But
Paul does know that God can do it. And not only is God able to do it, he
is able to do it “immeasurably,” which means indefinitely. (Boice,
J. M.: Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary)
John Eadie
writes that...
God is able to do far “above what we
ask,” for our asking is limited and feeble. John 16:24 ("Until now
you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that
your joy may be made full."). But there may be thoughts too sweeping
for expression, there may be unutterable groanings prompted by the
Spirit (See note
Romans 8:26
-- "And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do
not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for
us with groanings too deep for words"). And yet above and beyond our
widest conceptions and most daring expectations is God “able to do.”
God's ability to answer prayer transcends not only our spoken petitions,
but far surpasses even such thoughts as are too big for words, and too
deep for utterance. And still those desires which are dumb from their
very vastness, and amazing from their very boldness, are insignificant
requests compared with the power of God. For we know so little of His
promises, and so weak is our faith in them, that we ask not, as we
should, for their universal fulfilment; and though we did understand
their depth and power, our loftiest imaginations of possible blessing
would come infinitely short of the power and resources of the Hearer of
prayer. (John Eadie, D., LL.D. The Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians)
Think
(3539)
(noieo from noús = the mind) denotes clear perception,
full understanding, and careful consideration. It means to perceive with
thought coming into consciousness as distinct from the perception of
senses.
Exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask - An Illustration:
A preacher once lamented to the
renowned preacher C H Spurgeon...
“Mr. Spurgeon, I am seeing very few
people saved.”
To which Spurgeon replied with a
question
“Do you expect to see folk saved
every time you preach?”
The preacher answered
“Why, no”.
To which Spurgeon wisely quipped
“That’s why you don’t!”
ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT
WORKS WITHIN US: kata ten dunamin ten energoumenen (PMPFSA) en hemin: (7;
1:19;
Colossians 1:29)
According to
(2596)
(kata) means in proportion to ones largess! Not stingily. Not
just a portion but a proportion! If I am a billionaire and I give you
ten dollars, I have given you a portion (very small portion at that) out
of my riches. But if I give you ten million dollars, I have given to you
according to or more proportionate to my true wealth. The first
giver would take it out of His riches and would be like Mr. Rockefeller
who used to give his caddy a dime. God is not like Mr. Rockefeller, in
either his wealth or generosity!
Expositor's
writes that...
God's capacity to meet his people's
spiritual needs far exceeds anything they can either request in prayer
or conceive by way of anticipation (Philippians 4:7). It is actualized
through his power (dynamis), which continually operates (energoumenen)
within the lives of believers. (Gaebelein,
F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary 6-Volume New Testament.
Zondervan Publishing)
Power
(1411)
(dunamis
- words derived from the stem duna— all have the basic meaning of
“being able,” of “capacity” in virtue of an ability and is root for our
English "dynamic") defines inherent power residing in a thing by virtue
of its nature.
Some power is
dormant; it is available, but not being used, such as the power stored
in a battery. But God’s energy is effectual power—power at work in our
lives. This power works in us, in the inner man (see note
Ephesians 3:16).
This is that
omnipotence that raised Christ from the dead and quickened us when we
were dead in sins.
My dear Christian friends, do you know that right at this moment, when
you feel so lethargic, when you say when is Dr. Johnson going to finish,
two minutes from now, when you say the word of God can sometimes be so
boring, and when you berate yourself for not being as responsive as you
ought to be, the Holy Spirit is working constantly in your heart. He
works in every believer, and he works toward the sanctification of every
one of us, and let me tell you this, he will accomplish his work. You’re
going to be like Christ, some day. It may be a great earth-shaking
transformation when it occurs for some of us [laughter], but it’s going
to happen. We are going to be like him.
O'Brien
writes that...
In the earlier petition of chapter 1,
God's effective power towards believers (see note
Ephesians 1:19)
was said to be nothing less than the operation of his mighty strength
exerted in the resurrection of Christ (see note
Ephesians 1:20).
Now that same power which raised Christ from the dead, enthroned Jim in
the heavenlies, and then raised and enthroned us with Him, is at work
within us to achieve infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. In the
doxology Paul thus praises God for the bestowal of strength by his
Spirit on his people, and affirms that the full realization of Gods
gracious purposes for them and in them becomes possible. (O'Brien,
P. T. The Letter to the Ephesians. W. B. Eerdmans. 1999
or
computer version)
Eadie adds
that Paul is saying...
“According to His power that proves
or shows itself at work in us.” That power has been again and
again referred to in itself and in its results by the apostle. (see
notes
Ephesians 1:19,
3:16)
From our own blissful experience of what it has already achieved in us,
we may gather that its Divine possessor and wielder can do for us “far
beyond what we ask or think.” That might (or power) being God's, can
achieve in us results which the boldest have not ventured to anticipate.
(John Eadie, D., LL.D. The Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians)
Works (1754)
(energeo from en = in + érgon = work) (Click
related noun
energeia) means to be effective in
causing something to happen. It means to to bring something about
through use of capability. It means to act, to be operative or to be at
work.
Energeo is in the
present tense
which pictures the
continual activity of the Spirit in this present evil age.
What is the
power that works within us? It is supernatural dunamis power.
Works refers to the mighty power of continuous sanctification at
work in the believer’s heart, and He will accomplish His work!
Wiersbe
sums up this section writing that...
The word “power” is again dunamis,
which we met back in Ephesians 3:7; and “working” is energeia (energy)
found in (see notes)
Ephesians 1:11,
1:19;
2:2;
3:7;
and
4:16.
Some power is dormant; it is available, but not being used, such as the
power stored in a battery. But God’s energy is effectual power—power at
work in our lives. This power works in us, in the inner man (see notes
Ephesians 3:16).
Philippians 2:12-13 are parallel verses, so be sure to read them.
So then, my beloved, just as you have
always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my
absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God
who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
(See notes
Philippians 2:12;
2:13)
It is the Holy Spirit who releases
the resurrection power of Christ in our lives... (many Christians) have
been cut off from their source of power. Unbelief, unconfessed sin,
careless living, worldliness in action or attitude—all of these can rob
us of power. And a Christian robbed of power cannot be used of God.
“Without Me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5)...Get your hands on your
spiritual wealth by opening your heart to the Holy Spirit, and praying
with Paul for strength for the inner man... for a new depth of love...
for spiritual apprehension... and for spiritual fullness. “Ye have not
because ye ask not” (James 4:2).
Within
(1722)
(en) Paul is saying this is an "inside" job and the power that is
putting forth energy in us, is the operation of the Holy Spirit in His
work of sanctification.
Wuest
explains that...
God is able to do for us and answer
our prayers according to the efficiency, richness, and power of the
working of the Spirit in our lives. This latter is determined by the
yieldedness of the believer to the Holy Spirit. Thus, the saint
determines what God is able to do for him. In His inherent ability,
there is no limit to what God can do in and through the saint. But the
saint limits the working of God in and through him by the degree of his
yieldedness to the Spirit.
(Ibid)
Ruth Paxson
writes...
God has revealed our immeasurable
wealth in Christ, and has led us to offer petition after petition for
its realization. While the words have fallen from our lips have we been
saying secretly in our hearts, "It cannot be done; anyhow, it cannot be
done in me"? Whoever looks within at himself for this power, or around
at others, however spiritual they may be, may rightly say that it is
impossible. But there is another way to look-up to Him who has promised
that His own mighty power will work in us for the realization of our
riches in Christ.
3:20
Able
Able to do
Able to do what we ask
Able to do what we think
Able to do what we ask or think
Able to do all that we ask or think
Able to do above all that we ask or think
Able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think
Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think
"Unto him" -- The Purposer is the Promiser, who is also the
Performer. Look unto Him, our Rich, Resourceful, Reliable Father.
"That is able to do." Our petition, however great, can never
exceed God's ability to grant. Through God's power every saint has been
lifted from the deepest depths in sin to the highest heights in Christ;
he has been incorporated into Christ as a member of His Body and made
the habitation of God. Surely the God who has had power to thus save and
sanctify him can now strengthen him with power, that His purpose for the
saint may be fully realized. What God has commenced He will surely
consummate.
"All that we ask or think." What petitions have we asked? What
desires have flooded our hearts that we dared not voice? Is it possible
He has power to do "all" for us? Yes, "above all"; still God's power has
scarcely been tapped: "abundantly above all"; surely the limit of even
God's power has been reached. No, not yet; "exceeding abundantly above
all." And yet God's power is not exhausted, for He continues to give
even after we stop asking and only harbour the unuttered thought; yet
still there remains a vast residue of power unused after unbelief has
stopped our asking and stifled our thinking, -- "above all that we ask
or think."
"According to the power that worketh in us." The Promiser
provides the power. The power is a Person-none other than God's own
Spirit, who abides in us to make Christ real and regnant, and thereby
ensure to us the realization of our wealth in Christ. The indwelling
Spirit is God's pledge of His limitless power to do.
"That worketh in us." If God is able to work with such
superabundant, limitless power, why does He not do it? Why do we see so
few Christians who seem to have drunk of the fountain of the fulness of
God? There is but one possible answer. The limitless power of God is
limited by the unwillingness to have it work, or by the unbelief that it
can. But in the light of this prayer could there be a greater sin in the
life of a saint than to live on the lower level of the carnal when God's
provision and power make possible life on the highest plane of the
spiritual? Someone has tersely said: "You have your Bible and your
knees; use them." Let us use them so that these treasures in Christ may
become in fullest measure current coin in our lives.
The presence of God -- abiding
The plenitude of God -- abounding
The power of God -- achieving
This realized through prayer in the Christian's life is the sum total of
his vast wealth in Christ. (The Wealth, Walk and Warfare of the
Christian)
><> ><> ><>
According to the Power
If our scanty measure were used,
How poor were the gifts of the Lord;
If our cups of thought and our pitchers of prayer
Were all that His love could afford.
But - above all our stammering tongues
Can voice of our deepest desire,
Abundant above all the pitiful good
To which our small minds can aspire;
Exceeding abundant above
The reach of our groveling thought;
So great is the fulness of knowledge and grace
His power to usward hath wrought.
-- Annie Johnson Flint
><> ><> ><>
Our Daily
Bread devotional...
At the time of his death in 1956, Jim
Elliot was trying to reach the Auca Indians of South America for Christ.
Just three years earlier, after watching an Indian die in a jungle hut,
he had affirmed his willingness to serve God and die if necessary among
these people. Then he added this petition: "Lord, let me live until I
have declared Thy works to this generation." Jim Elliot didn't expect
God to answer his prayer by letting him be speared to death before he
was thirty years old. But neither did he have any idea that within three
years his name would be known all over the world and that his journals
would challenge many to give themselves to the Lord's service. He's
been in heaven for more than thirty years, but he is still "speaking" to
thou-sands of people.
God loves us deeply and listens to our prayers, but He doesn't always
give us exactly what we ask. Since He "is able to do exceedingly
abundantly above all that we ask or think," we can be sure that if He
doesn't fulfill all our requests it's because He wants to give us
some-thing better.
When we don't receive everything we ask for, we need not be
discouraged. God loves us and delights in giving us what we desire. But
He also knows the end from the beginning, and sometimes He says no in
order to give us something better. When we reach heaven, we will find
that He did indeed answer our petitions "exceedingly abundantly above"
all our fondest hopes and dreams. —H.V.L. (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
God always gives us what we ask
for—or something better.
God's answers are often wiser than our prayers.
><> ><> ><>
Spurgeon wrote...
God will give us much more than we
ask. Abraham thought, "I cannot expect that Sarah will bear a child in
her old age. God has promised me a seed, and surely it must be this
child of Hagar. 'O that Ishmael might live before thee' " (Gen. 17:18).
God granted him that, but he gave him Isaac as well, and all the
blessings of the covenant.
There is Jacob. He kneels down to
pray, and asks the Lord to give him bread to eat and raiment to put on.
But what did his God give him? When he came back to Bethel he had two
bands, thou-sands of sheep and camels, and much wealth.
It is said of David, "The king asked
life of thee, and thou gayest him length of days for ever and ever" (Ps
21:4). He gave him not only length of days himself, but a throne for his
sons throughout all generations.
"Well," say you, "but is that true of
New Testament prayers?"
Yes, it is so with New Testament
pleaders, whether saints or sinners. They brought a man to Christ sick
of the palsy and asked him to heal him, and he said, "Son ... thy sins
be forgiven thee" (Matt. 9:2). He had not asked that, had he? No, but
God gives greater things than we ask for.
Hear that poor dying thief's humble
prayer, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom" (Luke
23:42). Jesus replies, "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke
23:43). He had not dreamed of such an honor.
Even the story of the prodigal
teaches us this. He resolved to say, "I am not worthy to be called thy
son; make me as one of thy hired servants" (Luke 15:19). What was the
answer? "Bring forth the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his
hands, and shoes on his feet" (Luke 15:22). Once you get into the
position of an asker, you shall have what you never asked for, and never
thought to receive.
><> ><> ><>
Our Daily Bread
devotional "Worrier Or Warrior?"...
A missionary wrote a newsletter to
thank his supporters for being "prayer warriors." Because of a typing
error, though, he called them "prayer worriers. " For some of us, that
might be a good description.
In his book Growing Your Soul, Neil Wiseman writes, "Prayer must be more
than a kind of restatement of fretting worries or a mulling over of
problems. Our petitions must move beyond gloomy desperation, which deals
mostly with calamity and despair."
During an anxious time in my life, I became a "prayer worrier." I would
beg, "Lord, please keep my neighbor from causing me problems tomorrow."
Or, "Father, don't let that ornery person spread gossip about me."
But then the Lord taught me to pray for people, rather than against
them. I began to say, "Lord, bless and encourage my neighbor, and help
him to sense Your love." Then I watched to see what God would do. The
Lord's amazing answers not only helped others but also helped to cure my
own anxiety!
Paul was no "prayer worrier." He prayed for God's people that they might
know the strength, love, and fullness of God, who is able to do far more
than we can ask or even think (Ephesians 3:14-21). Such confidence made
Paul a true "prayer warrior." Are your prayers like that? —Joanie Yoder
(Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
As we resolve to live for Christ
In actions, words, and deeds,
We'll yield our anxious hearts to Him
And pray for others' needs. —Branon
Fervent prayer dispels anxious care.
><> ><> ><>
Our Daily Bread
devotional "More Than Enough"...
It was an unexpected provision in a
time of need. The prophet Elisha, like others in Israel, was
hard-pressed by the famine. But the prophet determined that he must
share with other needy Israelites the 20 loaves of barley bread he had
just received (2 Kings 4:42-44). Elisha's servant questioned the wisdom
of setting the food before 100 hungry men, for there was not enough to
go around.
Nevertheless, Elisha issued a command to feed his fellow prophets,
adding a promise that this scanty provision would be enough: "Thus says
the Lord: 'They shall eat and have some left over'" (v.43).
True to God's word, when Elisha's servant set the loaves before the
people, "they ate and had some left over" (v.44). There was enough—and
more than enough. A similar thing happened when Jesus fed 5,000 with 5
barley loaves and 2 small fish (John 6:1-14). These examples suggest the
principle: When God gives, He is able to give more than enough.
When we sense that God is asking us to serve Him in a new or unfamiliar
way, we should never say no simply because we feel inadequate. "We have
only a few loaves," we may say. But the Lord replies, "Trust Me. They
are more than enough." —DHR (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
What matter though our loaves be few?
Alike the little and the much
When He shall add to what we have
His multiplying touch. —Flint
We always have enough when God is our supply.
><> ><> ><>
Our Daily Bread
devotional "No Hands But His"...
Jennifer had just heard a disturbing
report about an increase in cases of depression among women. The report
cited a related upswing in alcoholism and an increased reliance on
prescription drugs.
"So what are You doing about it, Lord?" Jennifer prayed. But the more
she thought about it, the more she felt that God was asking her to do
something. All she could see, however, were her own limitations.
To help her think it through, she listed some reasons that were keeping
her from action: shyness, fear of getting involved, lack of time, a cold
heart, feelings of inadequacy, fear of failure--a daunting list!
As she finished her list, she saw that it was time to pick up her
children from school. She put on her coat, then reached for her gloves.
They were lying limp and useless--until she slipped her hands inside
them. At that moment she realized that God didn't want her to think
about her limitations. Rather, He wanted to put His power into her and
work through her, just as her gloves became useful when she put her
hands into them.
Why do we feel inadequate for the work God has given us? He wants to
love others through us, "according to the power that works in us" (Eph.
3:20). --JEY (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
The Lord will give you help and
strength
For work He bids you do;
To serve Him from a heart of love
Is all He asks of you. --Fasick
God's call to a task includes His strength to complete it.
