The Meaning of Ephesians 3:19 Explained

Ephesians 3:19

KJV: And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

YLT: to know also the love of the Christ that is exceeding the knowledge, that ye may be filled -- to all the fulness of God;

Darby: and to know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge; that ye may be filled even to all the fulness of God.

ASV: and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  to know  the love  of Christ,  which passeth  knowledge,  that  ye might be filled  with  all  the fulness  of God. 

What does Ephesians 3:19 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul desired that his readers would apprehend the love of Christ fully. Yet he acknowledged that full comprehension of that love is impossible because it is greater than mortals can conceive.
"The four words seem intended to indicate, not so much the thoroughness of the comprehension as the vastness of the thing to be comprehended." [1]
"No matter how much we know of the love of Christ, there is always more to know." [2]
The ultimate goal of Paul"s request was that his readers might be so full of the knowledge of Christ"s love and appreciation for God that they might allow Christ to control them fully ( Ephesians 4:13).
"These four requests are more like four parts to a telescope. One request leads into the next one, and so on." [3]
"I like to think of the apostle"s petition as a staircase by which he climbs higher and higher in his aspiration for his readers. His prayer-staircase has four steps, whose key words are "strength", "love", "knowledge" and "fullness"." [4]
"There are really five petitions in this greatest of all Paul"s prayers (one already in Ephesians 1:16-23), two by the infinitives after hina doi [5] (krataiothenai [6], katoikesai [7]), two infinitives after hina exischusete [8] (katalabesthai [6]7, gnonai [10]), and the last clause hina plerothete [11]. Nowhere does Paul sound such depths of spiritual emotion or rise to such heights of spiritual passion as here." [12]

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 3:19

And to know [γνωναι τε]
Second aorist active infinitive with εχισχυσητε — exischusēte [source]
Which passeth knowledge [την υπερβαλλουσαν της γνωσεως]
Ablative case γνωσεως — gnōseōs after υπερβαλλουσαν — huperballousan (from υπερβαλλω — huperballō). All the same Paul dares to scale this peak. That ye may be filled with all the fulness of God (ινα πληρωτητε εις παν το πληρωμα του τεου — hina plērōthēte eis pān to plērōma tou theou). Final clause again (third use of ινα — hina in the sentence) with first aorist passive subjunctive of πληροω — plēroō and the use of εις — eis after it. One hesitates to comment on this sublime climax in Paul‘s prayer, the ultimate goal for followers of Christ in harmony with the injunction in Matthew 5:48 to be perfect (τελειοι — teleioi) as our heavenly Father is perfect. There is nothing that any one can add to these words. One can turn to Romans 8:29 again for our final likeness to God in Christ. [source]
That ye may be filled with all the fulness of God [ινα πληρωτητε εις παν το πληρωμα του τεου]
Final clause again (third use of ινα — hina in the sentence) with first aorist passive subjunctive of πληροω — plēroō and the use of εις — eis after it. One hesitates to comment on this sublime climax in Paul‘s prayer, the ultimate goal for followers of Christ in harmony with the injunction in Matthew 5:48 to be perfect (τελειοι — teleioi) as our heavenly Father is perfect. There is nothing that any one can add to these words. One can turn to Romans 8:29 again for our final likeness to God in Christ. [source]
To know [γνῶναι]
Practically, through experience; while apprehend marks the knowledge as conception. [source]
Love of Christ []
Christ's love to us. Human love to Christ could not be described in these terms. [source]
Which passeth knowledge [τὴν ὑπερβάλλουσαν τῆς γνώσεως]
Which surpasses mere knowledge without the experience of love. Note the play on the words know and knowledge. [source]
That ye might be filled with all the fullness of God [ἵνα πληρωθῆτε εἰς πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ θεοῦ]
Note the recurrence of that; that He would grant you; that ye may be strong; that ye may be filled. With is better rendered unto, to the measure or standard of. Fullness of God is the fullness which God imparts through the dwelling of Christ in the heart; Christ, in whom the Father was pleased that all the fullness should dwell (Colossians 1:19), and in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 3:19

John 1:16 Of His fulness [ἐκ τοῦ πληρώματος αὐτοῦ]
These and the succeeding words are the Evangelist's, not the Baptist's. The word fullness ( πλήρωμα ) is found here only in John, but frequently occurs in the writings of Paul, whose use of it in Ephesians and Colossians illustrates the sense in John; these being Asiatic churches which fell, later, within the sphere of John's influence. The word is akin to πλήρης , full (John 1:14), and to πληροῦν , to fill or complete; and means that which is complete in itself, plenitude, entire number or quantity. Thus the crew of a ship is called πλήρωμα , its complement. Aristophanes (“Wasps,” 660), “ τούτων πλήρωμα , the sum-total of these, is nearly two thousand talents.” Herodotus (iii., 22) says that the full term of man's life among the Persians is eighty years; and Aristotle (“Polities,” iv., 4) refers to Socrates as saying that the eight classes, representing different industries in the state, constitute the pleroma of the state (see Plato, “Republic,” 371). In Ephesians 1:23, Paul says that the church is the pleroma of Christ: i.e., the plenitude of the divine graces in Christ is communicated to the Church as His body, making all the body, supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, to increase with the increase of God (Colossians 2:19; compare Ephesians 4:16). Similarly he prays (Ephesians 3:19) that the brethren may be filled unto all the pleroma of God: i.e., that they may be filled with the fullness which God imparts. More closely related to John's use of the term here are Colossians 1:19, “It pleased the Father that in Him (Christ) should all the fullness ( τὸ πλήρωμα , note the article) dwell;” and Colossians 2:9, Colossians 2:10, “In Him dwelleth all the pleroma of the Godhead bodily (i.e., corporally, becoming incarnate ), and in Him ye are fulfilled ( πεπληρωμένοι ).” This declares that the whole aggregate of the divine powers and graces appeared in the incarnate Word, and corresponds with John's statement that “the Word became flesh and tabernacled among men, full of grace and truth;” while “ye are fulfilled ” answers to John's “of His fullness we all received.” Hence John's meaning here is that Christians receive from the divine completeness whatever each requires for the perfection of his character and for the accomplishment of his work (compare John 15:15; John 17:22). [source]
John 1:16 For [οτι]
Correct text (Aleph B C D L) and not και — kai (and) of the Textus Receptus. Explanatory reason for John 1:14. Of his fulness The only instance of πληρωμα — plērōma in John‘s writings, though five times of Christ in Paul‘s Epistles (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9; Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 3:19; Ephesians 4:13). See Colossians 1:19 for discussion of these terms of the Gnostics that Paul employs for all the attributes of God summed up in Christ (Colossians 2:9) and so used here by John of the Incarnate Logos. We all John is facing the same Gnostic depreciation of Christ of which Paul writes in Colossians. So here John appeals to all his own contemporaries as participants with him in the fulness of the Logos. Received Second aorist active indicative of λαμβανω — lambanō a wider experience than beholding The point is in αντι — anti a preposition disappearing in the Koiné and here only in John. It is in the locative case of αντα — anta (end), “at the end,” and was used of exchange in sale. See Luke 11:11, αντι ιχτυος οπιν — anti ichthuos ophin “a serpent for a fish,” Hebrews 12:2 where “joy” and “cross” are balanced against each other. Here the picture is “grace” taking the place of “grace” like the manna fresh each morning, new grace for the new day and the new service. [source]
Ephesians 4:13 Fullness of Christ []
Which belongs to Christ and is imparted by Him. See John 1:16, and compare Ephesians 3:19. [source]
Ephesians 1:10 Unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times [εις οικονομιαν του πληρωματος των καιρων]
See note on Colossians 1:25 for οικονομιαν — oikonomian In Galatians 4:4 “the fulness of the time” Cf. Mark 1:15; Hebrews 1:1. On πληρωμα — plērōma see also Romans 11:26; Ephesians 3:19; Ephesians 4:13. [source]
Ephesians 1:19 The exceeding greatness of his power [το υπερβαλλον μεγετος της δυναμεως αυτου]
Μεγετος — Megethos is an old word (from μεγας — megas), but here only in N.T. υπερβαλλον — Huperballon present active participle of υπερβαλλω — huperballō reappears in Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 3:19 and seen already in 2 Corinthians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:14. To enlightened eyes the greatness of God‘s power is even more “surpassing.” [source]
Ephesians 4:13 Unto the measure of the stature [εις μετρον ηλικιας]
So apparently ηλικια — hēlikia here as in Luke 2:52, not age (John 9:21). Boys rejoice in gaining the height of a man. But Paul adds to this idea “the fulness of Christ” (του πληρωματος του Χριστου — tou plērōmatos tou Christou), like “the fulness of God” in Ephesians 3:19. And yet some actually profess to be “perfect” with a standard like this to measure by! No pastor has finished his work when the sheep fall so far short of the goal. [source]
Ephesians 1:23 The fulness of him that filleth all in all [το πληρωμα του τα παντα εν πασιν πληρουμενου]
This is probably the correct translation of a much disputed phrase. This view takes πληρωμα — plērōma in the passive sense (that which is filled, as is usual, Colossians 1:19) and πληρουμενου — plēroumenou as present middle participle, not passive. All things are summed up in Christ (Ephesians 1:10), who is the πληρωμα — plērōma of God (Colossians 1:19), and in particular does Christ fill the church universal as his body. Hence we see in Ephesians the Dignity of the Body of Christ which is ultimately to be filled with the fulness (πληρωμα — plērōma) of God (Ephesians 3:19) when it grows up into the fulness (πληρωμα — plērōma) of Christ (Ephesians 4:13, Ephesians 4:16). [source]
Ephesians 4:13 Unto the unity of the faith [εις την ενοτητα της πιστεως]
“Unto oneness of faith” (of trust) in Christ (Ephesians 4:3) which the Gnostics were disturbing. And of the knowledge of the Son of God (και της επιγνωσεως του υιου του τεου — kai tēs epignōseōs tou huiou tou theou). Three genitives in a chain dependent also on την ενοτητα — tēn henotēta “the oneness of full (επι — epi̇) knowledge of the Son of God,” in opposition to the Gnostic vagaries. Unto a full-grown man Same figure as in Ephesians 2:15 and τελειος — teleios in sense of adult as opposed to νηπιοι — nēpioi (infants) in Ephesians 4:14. Unto the measure of the stature (εις μετρον ηλικιας — eis metron hēlikias). So apparently ηλικια — hēlikia here as in Luke 2:52, not age (John 9:21). Boys rejoice in gaining the height of a man. But Paul adds to this idea “the fulness of Christ” (του πληρωματος του Χριστου — tou plērōmatos tou Christou), like “the fulness of God” in Ephesians 3:19. And yet some actually profess to be “perfect” with a standard like this to measure by! No pastor has finished his work when the sheep fall so far short of the goal. [source]
Ephesians 4:13 Unto a full-grown man [εις ανδρα τελειον]
Same figure as in Ephesians 2:15 and τελειος — teleios in sense of adult as opposed to νηπιοι — nēpioi (infants) in Ephesians 4:14. Unto the measure of the stature (εις μετρον ηλικιας — eis metron hēlikias). So apparently ηλικια — hēlikia here as in Luke 2:52, not age (John 9:21). Boys rejoice in gaining the height of a man. But Paul adds to this idea “the fulness of Christ” (του πληρωματος του Χριστου — tou plērōmatos tou Christou), like “the fulness of God” in Ephesians 3:19. And yet some actually profess to be “perfect” with a standard like this to measure by! No pastor has finished his work when the sheep fall so far short of the goal. [source]
Philippians 1:27 Let your conversation be [πολιτεύεσθε]
Only here in Paul's writings, and elsewhere only Acts 23:1. The verb means to be a citizen. Lit., Be citizens worthily of the Gospel. Rev., Let your manner of life be. Margin, Behave as citizens. Compare Ephesians 3:19, and see on Phlippians 3:20. The exhortation contemplates the Philippians as members of the christian commonwealth. The figure would be naturally suggested to Paul by his residence in Rome, and would appeal to the Philippians as a Roman colony, which was a reproduction of the parent commonwealth on a smaller scale. [source]
Colossians 2:10 Ye are complete in Him [ἐστε ἐν αὐτῷ πεπληρωμένοι]
Rev., made full. Compare John 1:16; Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 3:19; Ephesians 4:13. Not, ye are made full in Him, but ye are in Him, made full. In Him dwells the fullness; being in Him, ye are filled. Compare John 17:21; Acts 17:28. [source]
Colossians 2:10 Ye are made full [εστε πεπληρωμενοι]
Periphrastic perfect passive indicative of πληροω — plēroō but only one predicate, not two. Christ is our fulness of which we all partake (John 1:16; Ephesians 1:23) and our goal is to be made full of God in Christ (Ephesians 3:19). “In Christ they find the satisfaction of every spiritual want” (Peake). [source]

What do the individual words in Ephesians 3:19 mean?

to know then the surpassing - knowledge love - of Christ so that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God
γνῶναί τε τὴν ὑπερβάλλουσαν τῆς γνώσεως ἀγάπην τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἵνα πληρωθῆτε εἰς πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα Θεοῦ

γνῶναί  to  know 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: γινώσκω  
Sense: to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel.
ὑπερβάλλουσαν  surpassing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ὑπερβάλλω  
Sense: to surpass in throwing, to throw over or beyond any thing.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
γνώσεως  knowledge 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: γνῶσις  
Sense: knowledge signifies in general intelligence, understanding.
ἀγάπην  love 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀγάπη  
Sense: brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Χριστοῦ  of  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
πληρωθῆτε  you  may  be  filled 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: πληρόω  
Sense: to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full.
εἰς  unto 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
πλήρωμα  fullness 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: πλήρωμα  
Sense: that which is (has been) filled.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.