The Meaning of Ephesians 3:17 Explained

Ephesians 3:17

KJV: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

YLT: that the Christ may dwell through the faith in your hearts, in love having been rooted and founded,

Darby: that the Christ may dwell, through faith, in your hearts, being rooted and founded in love,

ASV: that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

That Christ  may dwell  in  your  hearts  by  faith;  that  ye, being rooted  and  grounded  in  love, 

What does Ephesians 3:17 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The result of this request is that Christ may be "at home" in the personality of the believer. He indwells every Christian ( 1 Corinthians 12:13) but is at home in the lives of those believers who let Him be first in their attitudes and activities ( John 15:14). As the believer keeps trusting and obeying, Jesus Christ can continue to occupy this place in his or her life. Paul was praying that his readers would enjoy intimate fellowship with their Lord (cf. 1 John 1:1-4).
The believer may grasp Christ"s love because God has rooted the Christian as a plant and grounded him or her as a building in love. Jesus Christ"s lordship over the life produces the love in view here.
There is another reference to the Trinity in Ephesians 3:14-17 : Father ( Ephesians 3:14), Spirit ( Ephesians 3:16), and Son ( Ephesians 3:17; cf. Ephesians 1:13-14; cf. Ephesians 1:17; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 2:22).

Context Summary

Ephesians 3:14-21 - The Greatest Of All Desires
The kernel of this prayer is in the clause that Christ may make His home in the believer's heart through faith. The previous petitions lead up to this. Note the Apostle's attitude-with bended knee; his plea with God-that He is the Father from whom all family love emanates; his measure-the wealth of God's glorious perfection; the necessary preliminary to Christ's indwelling-the penetration of our inmost being with the strength of the Holy Spirit. And then note the outcome: The indwelling Christ means that we shall be rooted and grounded in love. When this is the case we shall understand His love; and when we experience and know Christ's love, we shall be as completely filled in our little measure as God is in His great measure.
A dying veteran in Napoleon's army, when the surgeon was probing for the fatal bullet, said, "A little deeper and you will find the Emperor." Faith opens the door to the Spirit; the Spirit reveals Christ; Christ fills the heart; the heart begins to understand love; and love is the medium through which we become infilled with God, for God is love. It is staggering to ask all this; but the God who works in us with such power is able to do more than we ask, more than we think-abundantly more, exceeding abundantly more. [source]

Chapter Summary: Ephesians 3

1  The hidden mystery that the Gentiles should be saved was made known to Paul by revelation;
8  and to him was that grace given, that he should preach it
13  He desires them not to be discouraged over his tribulation;
14  and prays that they may perceive the great love of Christ toward them

Greek Commentary for Ephesians 3:17

That Christ may dwell [κατοικησαι τον Χριστον]
Another infinitive (first aorist active) after ινα δωι — hina dōi Κατοικεω — Katoikeō is an old verb to make one‘s home, to be at home. Christ (Χριστον — Christon accusative of general reference) is asked to make his home in our hearts. This is the ideal, but a deal of fixing would have to be done in our hearts for Christ. [source]
Being rooted and grounded in love [εν αγαπηι ερριζωμενοι και τετεμελιωμενοι]
But it is not certain whether εν αγαπηι — en agapēi should go with these participles or with the preceding infinitive κατοικησαι — katoikēsai (dwell). Besides, these two perfect passive participles (from ριζοω — rizoō old verb, in N.T. only here and Colossians 2:7, and from τεμελιοω — themelioō see also Colossians 1:23) are in the nominative case and are to be taken with ινα εχισχυσητε — hina exischusēte and are proleptically placed before ινα — hina Ephesians 3:18 should really begin with these participles. Paul piles up metaphors (dwelling, rooted, grounded). [source]
May dwell [κατοικῆσαι]
Settle down and abide. Take up His permanent abode, so that ye may be a habitation ( κατοικητήριον ) of God. See on Ephesians 2:22. The connection is with the preceding clause: “to be strengthened, etc., so that Christ may dwell, the latter words having at once a climactic and an explanatory force, and adding the idea of permanency to that of strengthening. [source]
By faith [διὰ τῆς πίστεως]
Through your (the article) faith, as the medium of appropriating Christ. Faith opens the door and receives Him who knocks. Revelation 3:20. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 3:17

John 6:53 Eat the flesh []
Appropriate the life. Compare Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 3:17. [source]
John 6:52 Strove [εμαχοντο]
Imperfect (inchoative) middle of μαχομαι — machomai to fight in armed combat (Acts 7:26), then to wage a war of words as here and 2 Timothy 2:24. They were already murmuring (John 6:41), now they began bitter strife with one another over the last words of Jesus (John 6:43-51), some probably seeing a spiritual meaning in them. There was division of opinion about Jesus in Jerusalem also later (John 7:12, John 7:40; John 9:16; John 10:19). How can? The very idiom used by Nicodemus in John 3:4, John 3:9. Here scornful disbelief. This man Contemptuous use pictured in John 6:42. His flesh to eat As if we were cannibals! Some MSS. do not have αυτου — autou but the meaning is clear. The mystical appropriation of Christ by the believer (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 3:17) they could not comprehend, though some apparently were against this literal interpretation of “flesh” (σαρχ — sarx). [source]
Romans 1:21 Heart [καρδία]
The heart is, first, the physical organ, the center of the circulation of the blood. Hence, the seat and center of physical life. In the former sense it does not occur in the New Testament. As denoting the vigor and sense of physical life, see Acts 14:17; James 5:5; Luke 21:34. It is used fifty-two times by Paul. Never used like ψυχή , soul, to denote the individual subject of personal life, so that it can be exchanged with the personal pronoun (Acts 2:43; Acts 3:23; Romans 13:1); nor like πνεῦμα spiritto denote the divinely-given principle of life. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
It is the central seat and organ of the personal life ( ψυχή ) of man regarded in and by himself. Hence it is commonly accompanied with the possessive pronouns, my, his, thy, etc. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Like our heart it denotes the seat of feeling as contrasted with intelligence. 2 Corinthians 2:4; Romans 9:2; Romans 10:1; 2 Corinthians 6:11; Philemon 1:7. But it is not limited to this. It is also the seat of mental action, feeling, thinking, willing. It is used - -DIVIDER-
1. Of intelligence, Romans 1:21; 2 Corinthians 3:15; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 1:18. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
2. Of moral choice, 1 Corinthians 7:37; 2 Corinthians 9:7. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
3. As giving impulse and character to action, Romans 6:17; Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22; 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:22. The work of the law is written on the heart, Romans 2:15. The Corinthian Church is inscribed as Christ's epistle on hearts of flesh, 2 Corinthians 3:2-3. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
4. Specially, it is the seat of the divine Spirit, Galatians 4:6; Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:22. It is the sphere of His various operations, directing, comforting, establishing, etc., Philemon 4:7; Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:5. It is the seat of faith, and the organ of spiritual praise, Romans 10:9; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
It is equivalent to the inner man, Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 3:17. Its characteristic is being hidden, Romans 2:28, Romans 2:29; Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 14:25. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
It is contrasted with the face, 1 Thessalonians 2:17; 2 Corinthians 5:12; and with the mouth, Romans 10:8. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Galatians 4:19 Until Christ be formed in you [μέχρις οὗ μορφωθῇ Χριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν]
The forming of Christ in them, their attainment of the complete inner life of Christians, is the object of the new birth. By their relapse they have retarded this result and renewed Paul's spiritual travail. The verb μορφοῦν N.T.oThe idea under different aspects is common. See Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:16; 1 Corinthians 6:15; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1:27. [source]
Ephesians 4:6 Through - in [διὰ - ἐν]
Through, pervading: in, indwelling. Compare Ephesians 2:22; Ephesians 3:17. [source]
Ephesians 4:16 In love []
As the element in which the upbuilding takes place. Compare Ephesians 3:17-19. [source]
Ephesians 3:18 Rooted and grounded [ἐῤῥιζωμένοι καὶ τεθεμελιωμένοι]
Compare Colossians 2:7, and see note. Grounded or founded, from θεμέλιον foundationThe dwelling in Ephesians 3:17would naturally suggest the foundation. Rooting and grounding are consequences of the strengthening of the Spirit and of Christ's indwelling. [source]
Ephesians 2:22 For a habitation [εις κατοικητηριον]
Late word (lxx), in N.T. only here and Revelation 18:2. From κατοικεω — katoikeō to dwell, as Ephesians 3:17. Possibly each of us is meant here to be the “habitation of God in the Spirit” and all together growing (αυχει — auxei) “into a holy temple in the Lord,” a noble conception of the brotherhood in Christ. [source]
Colossians 2:7 Rooted - built up [ἐῤῥιζωμένοι - ἐποικοδομούμενοι]
Note the change of metaphor from the solidity of military array to walking, rooting of a tree, and then to building. The metaphors of rooting and being founded occur together, Ephesians 3:17. Compare 1 Corinthians 3:9. In Jeremiah 1:10, ἐκριζοῦν toroot out is applied to a kingdom, and the words to build and to plant follow. It must be said that ῥιζόω tocause to take root is often used in the sense of firmness or fixedness without regard to its primary meaning. Built up. The preposition ἐπί uponindicates the placing of one layer upon another. See on Acts 20:32, and see on 1 Corinthians 3:9. Compare 1 Corinthians 3:10-14; Ephesians 2:20. note also the change of tenses: having been rooted (perfect participle), being (in process of) built up and strengthened (present participle). [source]
Colossians 1:27 Which is Christ in you []
The readings differ. Some read ὅς , masculine, which, referring to the riches: others ὃ , neuter, which, referring to mystery. The latter corresponds with Colossians 2:2, the mystery of God, Christ, etc. In either case the defining words are Christ in you, i.e., in the Gentiles; either as constituting the richness of glory in this mystery, or as being the essence of the myself itself. In you may be either within you, dwelling in your hearts, or among you. The latter accords with among the Gentiles, the former with dwell in your hearts, Ephesians 3:17. Compare Romans 8:10; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 4:19. [source]
Colossians 1:23 Grounded and settled [τεθελεωμένοι καὶ ἑδραῖοι]
For grounded, see on settle, 1 Peter 5:10; compare Luke 6:48, Luke 6:49; Ephesians 3:17. Settled, from ἕδρα aseat. Rev., steadfast. See 1 Corinthians 7:37; 1 Corinthians 15:58, the only other passages where it occurs. Compare ἑδραίωμα ground 1 Timothy 3:15. Bengel says: “The former is metaphorical, the latter more literal. The one implies greater respect to the foundation by which believers are supported; but settled suggests inward strength which believers themselves possess.” [source]
Colossians 1:19 Dwell [κατοικῆσαι]
Permanently. See on Luke 11:26. Compare the Septuagint usage of κατοικεῖν permanentdwelling, and παροικεῖν transientsojourning. Thus Genesis 37:1, “Jacob dwelt (permanently, κατῴκει ) in the land where his father sojourned ( παρῷκησεν A.V., was a stranger ). Perhaps in contrast with the partial and transient connection of the pleroma with Christ asserted by the false teachers. The word is used of the indwelling of the Father, Ephesians 2:22( κατοικητήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ habitationof God ); of the Son, Ephesians 3:17; and of the Spirit, James 4:5. [source]
Colossians 2:7 Rooted [ερριζωμενοι]
Perfect passive participle of old verb ριζοω — rizoō from ριζα — riza root. In N.T. only here and Ephesians 3:17. Paul changes the figure from walk to growing tree. [source]
Colossians 1:27 To make known [γνωρισαι]
First aorist active infinitive of γνωριζω — gnōrizō (from γινωσκω — ginōskō). Among the Gentiles This is the crowning wonder to Paul that God had included the Gentiles in his redemptive grace, “the riches of the glory of this mystery” He feels the high honour keenly and meets the responsibility humbly. Which (ο — ho). Grammatical gender (neuter) agreeing with μυστηριου — mustēriou (mystery), supported by A B P Vulg., though ος — hos (who) agreeing with Χριστος — Christos in the predicate is read by Aleph C D L. At any rate the idea is simply that the personal aspect of “this mystery” is “Christ in you the hope of glory” (Χριστος εν υμιν η ελπις της δοχης — Christos en humin hē elpis tēs doxēs). He is addressing Gentiles, but the idea of εν — en here is in, not among. It is the personal experience and presence of Christ in the individual life of all believers that Paul has in mind, the indwelling Christ in the heart as in Ephesians 3:17. He constitutes also the hope of glory for he is the Σεκινα — Shekinah of God. Christ is our hope now (1 Timothy 1:1) and the consummation will come (Romans 8:18). [source]
Colossians 1:27 Which [ο]
Grammatical gender (neuter) agreeing with μυστηριου — mustēriou (mystery), supported by A B P Vulg., though ος — hos (who) agreeing with Χριστος — Christos in the predicate is read by Aleph C D L. At any rate the idea is simply that the personal aspect of “this mystery” is “Christ in you the hope of glory” He is addressing Gentiles, but the idea of εν — en here is in, not among. It is the personal experience and presence of Christ in the individual life of all believers that Paul has in mind, the indwelling Christ in the heart as in Ephesians 3:17. He constitutes also the hope of glory for he is the Σεκινα — Shekinah of God. Christ is our hope now (1 Timothy 1:1) and the consummation will come (Romans 8:18). [source]
2 Timothy 1:5 Dwelt [ἐνῴκησεν]
Paul uses the verb with sin, the divine Spirit, God, the word of Christ, but nowhere with faith. The phrase faith dwells in, N.T.oAccording to Paul, Christians are or stand in faith; but faith is not represented as dwelling in them. Christ dwells in the heart through faith (Ephesians 3:17). [source]

What do the individual words in Ephesians 3:17 mean?

[for] to dwell - Christ through - faith in the hearts of you love being rooted and being founded
κατοικῆσαι τὸν Χριστὸν διὰ τῆς πίστεως ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν ἀγάπῃ ἐρριζωμένοι καὶ τεθεμελιωμένοι

κατοικῆσαι  [for]  to  dwell 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: κατοικέω 
Sense: to dwell, settle.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Χριστὸν  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
διὰ  through 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πίστεως  faith 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: πίστις  
Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.
καρδίαις  hearts 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: καρδία  
Sense: the heart.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἀγάπῃ  love 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀγάπη  
Sense: brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence.
ἐρριζωμένοι  being  rooted 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ῥιζόω  
Sense: to cause to strike root, to strengthen with roots, to render firm, to fix, establish, cause a person or a thing to be thoroughly grounded.
τεθεμελιωμένοι  being  founded 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: θεμελιόω  
Sense: to lay the foundation, to found.