Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
Ephesians 3:20 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 20. 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,
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
The doxology praises God's power at work within the community as exceeding what people ask or imagine.
Ask to be rooted in love, not merely busy in religion.
This verse is one part of that explanation in Ephesians 3:14–21. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- Ephesians 3:14–21
Read Ephesians 3:14–21 as a complete section. The petitions for strength, Christ's indwelling, rooted love, shared comprehension, and fullness build together before verses 20–21 answer with praise to God's power and glory.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The prayer bridges God's saving purpose and the coming ethical appeal. The readers need divine strength and shared love to live as the reconciled people the letter describes.
Read Ephesians 3:14–21 together
Why these verses belong together: The prayer's petitions build toward fullness and conclude in one doxology to God's power and glory.
Verse 14. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Verse 15. 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Verse 16. 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Verse 17. 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Verse 18. 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Verse 19. 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Verse 20. 20 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,
Verse 21. 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Follow the Context
- Paul bows before the Father from whom every family receives its name.
- He asks for inner strengthening through the Spirit according to God's glory.
- He prays that Christ will dwell in their hearts through faith.
- Rooted and grounded in love, they are to grasp Christ's immeasurable love together with all the saints.
- The prayer reaches toward being filled with all God's fullness.
- Paul praises God whose power at work within the church exceeds what people ask or imagine.
- Glory belongs to God in the church and in Christ through every generation.
What This Verse Is Not Saying
Ephesians 3:20 does not promise that God will grant every imagined personal ambition.
What Remains True
God's power at work among his people exceeds their asking and imagining while remaining directed toward his glory.
How It Can Shape Life
- Pray boldly and hopefully, but submit desired outcomes to God's purpose instead of turning this doxology into a guarantee for every ambition.
Teach It Back
Explain Ephesians 3:20's specific contribution to Ephesians 3:14–21: The doxology praises God's power at work within the community as exceeding what people ask or imagine. Include what the surrounding verses add and what the verse does not permit readers to conclude.
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Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read Ephesians 3:14–21 — Prayer for Strength, Love, and FullnessSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: The exact KJV wording and immediate English context for Ephesians 3:14–21.
Exact location: eBible/CrossWire eng-kjv2006 USFM, source files dated 2026-08-19, Ephesians 3; archive and normalized-corpus SHA-256 values are recorded in the library policy.
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: The critically edited Greek wording and sentence relationships used to check the passage.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/Eph.txt, Ephesians 3, verses within Ephesians 3:14–21.
Open the Ephesians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — Ephesians with translators' notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, digital edition accessed 2026
Supports: Material translation choices, syntax notes, and textual variants checked for this passage.
Exact location: NET Bible, Ephesians 3, translator and textual notes attached to the verses in Ephesians 3:14–21.
Open NET Ephesians 3 ↗