Ephesians 3:14

Paul Prays for God's People

14 I bow in prayer to the Father because of my work among you.

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 Through him and through faith in him we can approach God. We can come to him freely. We can come without fear.

13 So here is what I'm asking you to do. Don't lose hope because I am suffering for you. It will lead to the time when God will give you his glory.

14 I bow in prayer to the Father because of my work among you.

15 From the Father his whole family in heaven and on earth gets its name.

16 I pray that he will use his glorious riches to make you strong. May his Holy Spirit give you his power deep down inside you.