This paper examines Ephesians 3:14–20 through the interpretive framework presented by Duvall and Hays in Grasping God's Word, alongside insights from Scot McKnight's The Blue Parakeet. Beginning with the historical and cultural context of Paul's mission to Ephesus, the paper analyzes each verse of the prayer for its theological significance, particularly its emphasis on faith, Christ's indwelling presence, and the immeasurability of divine love. The paper argues that the "river to cross" between the ancient Ephesian audience and modern Christians is remarkably narrow, making this passage one of the most accessible and universally applicable in the New Testament. Science, measurement, and contemporary distractions are identified as modern counterparts to the pagan influences Paul addressed.
The most critical component of contemporary Bible studies is making scripture relevant. An ancient text may not seem to have messages that modern readers can understand, but the challenge of reading the Bible with fresh eyes is not insurmountable. In fact, the rewards of reading and applying the Bible are infinite. As McKnight (2008) states, "no one does everything the Bible says" (p. 12). The Bible was written for an ancient audience with specific concepts and stories relevant to them. It is a mistake to read the Bible as if the same social and political realities exist today. Reading to retrieve, as McKnight (2008) puts it, is like taking the easy way out — it will have less relevance and meaning for the modern reader seeking truth. It is both impossible and undesirable to try to squeeze the realities of the post-modern world into the construct of ancient Israel.
For this reason, reading scripture with tradition in mind involves retaining core concepts. It means distilling the Bible's essence and delivering that essence to a modern congregation. The Bible will be meaningful only when its essence takes center stage.
Ephesians 3:14–20 is an uplifting passage with universal merit and application. It is a prayer and a deep meditation, rather than a parable or an admonishment of any kind. As a prayer, the passage is less burdened by anachronism than other biblical passages. This passage encapsulates the notion that the Bible is all about essence, and not about literal or "fossilized" interpretations (McKnight, 2008).
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul speaks directly to an audience in the ancient social and cultural milieu. Paul was visiting Ephesus on his mission to spread the Word of Christ. Although not technically his people in terms of shared background, the Ephesians were a group of open-minded listeners willing to receive the Word of God and apply it to their own lives. During the time Paul spoke, the Roman Empire had expanded deep throughout the Middle East and Asia Minor, where Ephesus was located. The people were exposed to a number of competing pagan gods, and had been for years.
Likewise, Christian listeners and readers of Ephesians today are exposed to American television and other distractions that might lead a person astray. Paul's message to the Ephesians remains culturally relevant. Revisiting Ephesians today with a group of open-minded listeners will have the same essential effect.
To best interpret a passage from Ephesians or any other gospel text, Duvall and Hays (2012) recommend a multi-step procedure that begins with "grasping the text in their town" (p. 42). Grasping the text in their town takes the reader to Ephesus, where Paul spoke the words contained in what is now the Epistle of Ephesians. Ephesus is described as a major "port of entry" to Asia Minor, both literally and figuratively (Herrick, 2004). Paul was here attempting to establish and root Christian churches, to bring the light of Christ to the people. The same dynamic takes place today, but before applying Ephesians to the post-modern world, it is important to grasp the text in the town of Ephesus.
In Ephesians 3:14–20, Paul offers a prayer that the Ephesians can take to heart and use in their daily spiritual lives. The prayer begins with a simple suggestion to "kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name" (Ephesians 3:14–15). The original Greek word patria (meaning family) shares the same root as pater (meaning father) (Bible Gateway, 2013). God the Father is the primordial seed of the human family; it was so then in Ephesus as it is today. Paul continues to pray "that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being" (Ephesians 3:16). The "glorious riches" referred to are spiritual, not material. When Paul delivered this prayer to the Ephesians, it must have uplifted the spirits of his audience just as it uplifts the spirits of modern readers today.
The reason for the prayer, according to Paul, is "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." This line is a cornerstone of the passage, as it reveals Pauline theology and philosophy. Christ "dwells" within the heart. To the ancient ear, the concept of God residing in the heart must have dealt a resounding blow to the then-outmoded pagan beliefs that Paul was attempting to cast out of the spirits of the Ephesians. Moreover, Paul here emphasizes the most important aspect of prayer: faith. Through faith, and faith alone, one attains salvation.
Once faith has been developed, Christ is welcome to dwell within the heart of the petitioner. The petitioner becomes "rooted and established in love" (Ephesians 3:17). Here, Paul draws a symbolic and metaphorical connection between Christ's "dwelling" in the heart of the faithful and the state of being "rooted and established in love." Being rooted and established connote a sense of home. Likewise, to "dwell" somewhere means to live somewhere. Paul is saying that Christ dwells within us, and we dwell within Christ. This is a fundamental theological tenet of Christian faith, as relevant today as it was to the ancient Ephesians.
Paul also prays for the people, that they may have "power ... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ" (Ephesians 3:19). This power is, moreover, shared by and among "all the Lord's holy people" — that is, all who have faith in Christ. In Grasping God's Word, Duvall and Hays (2012) suggest "measuring the width of the river to cross" between the time of the ancients and today. With regard to Ephesians 3:14–20, the width of that river is relatively small. There are few barriers to applying the words of Paul's prayer to modern life. No significant differences exist in the minds and hearts of Christians then versus the minds and hearts of Christians now. In Christ, time is meaningless. Faith transcends time. The width, length, height, and depth of Christ's love are as incomprehensible now as they were then. The Ephesians were as hungry for Christ's love as anyone in any modern congregation. We might be able to read the Bible on our smartphones now, but our hearts and minds have changed little since the time of ancient Ephesus.
"Bridging ancient prayer to modern Christian life"
"Science and measurement as modern pagan parallels"
Paul's message to the Ephesians and the prayer contained in Ephesians 3:14–20 remain culturally relevant. There are no anachronisms — such as references to camels and cubits — that modern readers will struggle to understand. The bridge between then and now is short enough that modern congregations will readily see how deep prayer can prepare one to receive Christ. Faith is the most important foundation of spiritual life. Through faith in Christ, all things are possible.
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