Ephesians 3:14

Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians

14 ... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ^[a]

Ephesians 3:14 Meaning and Commentary

Ephesians 3:14

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father
That is, pray unto him for the perseverance of the saints; for nothing is more desirable to the ministers of Christ than that; which is the pure gift of God, and is what he has promised, and therefore should be prayed to for it; for what God has designed and promised to his people, he will be sought to; and the apostle's view might be also to stir up these saints to pray for themselves: the gesture he used in prayer was bowing the knees; a man is not tied to any particular gesture or posture in prayer, the main thing is the heart; mere postures and gestures are insignificant things with God; though where the mind is affected, the body will be moved; and this gesture may be expressive of reverence, humility, and submission in prayer: the object he prayed unto is the Father; that is, as follows,

of our Lord Jesus;
though these words are wanting in the Alexandrian copy, and Ethiopic version, yet are rightly retained in others; for God is the Father of Christ, not by creation, nor adoption, but by generation, being the only begotten of the Father; and as such he is rightly prayed to, since not only Christ prayed to him as such; but he is the Father of his people in and through Christ; and there is no other way of coming to him but by Christ; and all spiritual blessings come though Christ, and from God, as the Father of Christ.

Ephesians 3:14 In-Context

12 In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.

13 So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

14 ... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

16 I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,

Footnotes

• [a] BYZ and TR before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,