Dubi Roman Photography (Cijevna waterfall, often referred to as the Niagara Falls of Montenegro)

dv0804-Daily Verse

Author: Stephen Weller
1,414 words, 7 minutes read time

God Is Able

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV)

These two verses are found at the end of chapter 3 following Paul’s prayer for spiritual strength. In that prayer to the Father, he is asking on our behalf that we would ¹⁶ “be strengthened with power through his Spirit in [our] inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in [our] hearts through faith—that [we], being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that [we] may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

That prayer by Paul for us sets the context for our two verses. In response to his prayer for us, Paul tells us that God is able to answer his prayer on our behalf in ways that are far more abundant that we might think to ask and do it according to the power of God’s Spirit that is at work within us. So, why the need of such provision? The answer is suggested in 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” That “good work” was “prepared by God beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

As we do those good works, we bear fruit to his glory in the church as a unified whole, not as isolated entities. As we work, we are to let our light shine so that the world will see our good works (Matthew 5:16) and be draws to the Father through Jesus Christ. As we, who make up the church, the body of Christ, do the assigned work with his power, God’s kingdom will grow through all generations to his glory.

God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and we are created in his image (Genesis 1:27), therefore, we as his people are to be love. As a demonstration of this love we are to display the characteristics of love in our behavior. Those characteristics are: “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22 – 23 ESV). As we live out these characteristics and are employed in doing good work, according to the power at work within us, we bring glory to our Father in heaven as people are added to the kingdom of God and discipled.

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Summary Theme

God’s Power Accomplishes Far More Than We Can Imagine

Summary Paragraph

Ephesians 3:20–21 concludes Paul’s prayer with a magnificent doxology that celebrates the limitless power and glory of God. After praying that believers would be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, rooted in Christ’s love, and filled with the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:14–19), Paul lifts his eyes in worship. He declares that God is able to accomplish infinitely more than believers could ever ask or imagine because His power is actively at work within them. This promise is not merely about receiving material blessings or personal success, but about God’s ability to fulfill His eternal purposes through His people. Paul’s focus ultimately rests on God’s glory, which is displayed through the church and in Christ Jesus throughout every generation forever. These verses remind believers that prayer should be filled with confidence in God’s unlimited ability and directed toward His everlasting glory rather than merely human desires.

Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:

1. What does Paul mean when he says God is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think”?

Answer:

Paul uses a series of superlatives to emphasize that God’s ability has no limits. God is not simply able to answer prayers; He is able to do far beyond anything believers can request or even imagine. Human understanding is limited by experience, knowledge, and circumstances, but God is unlimited in wisdom, power, and resources.

This does not mean God grants every desire exactly as requested. Instead, it assures believers that God’s plans are always greater, wiser, and more complete than our own. Sometimes He answers by giving exactly what we ask. Other times He answers differently because He sees the larger picture that we cannot see. His purposes always exceed our expectations and work for His glory and the good of His people.

This truth encourages Christians to pray boldly while trusting God’s perfect wisdom. Rather than limiting God with small expectations, believers can confidently bring every need before Him, knowing His ability is beyond measure.

2. What is the “power that works in us” mentioned in verse 20?

Answer:

The power working within believers is the power of the Holy Spirit. Earlier in this prayer, Paul asked that believers would be “strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). The same divine power that raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 1:19–20) now lives in every believer through the Holy Spirit.

This power transforms lives by producing spiritual growth, enabling obedience, strengthening faith, providing endurance through trials, and empowering believers to serve Christ faithfully. It is not human determination or personal ability that accomplishes God’s work but His Spirit working through surrendered lives.

The presence of God’s power reminds believers that the Christian life is not meant to be lived through self-effort alone. God Himself supplies the strength needed to accomplish His purposes.

3. Why does Paul conclude this section by focusing on God’s glory rather than human blessings?

Answer:

Paul’s prayer ends with worship because God’s glory is the ultimate purpose of all His work. While God certainly blesses His people, His highest goal is that His character, wisdom, love, grace, and power be displayed before the world.

Paul specifically says that glory belongs to God “in the church and in Christ Jesus.” The church exists to demonstrate God’s transforming grace as redeemed people live together in unity and holiness. Christ Himself is the perfect revelation of God’s glory, and through Him the church continues to reflect God’s greatness.

This perspective keeps believers from viewing prayer merely as a way to obtain personal benefits. Instead, prayer becomes participation in God’s greater mission of bringing glory to Himself. Every answered prayer, every transformed life, and every act of faithful obedience points others to God’s greatness rather than human achievement.

4. How should these verses change the way believers pray?

Answer:

These verses encourage believers to pray with confidence, faith, and humility. Since God is able to do far more than believers can imagine, Christians should never hesitate to bring great needs before Him. No situation is too difficult, no burden too heavy, and no person beyond God’s ability to transform.

At the same time, believers should pray with humility, recognizing that God’s wisdom surpasses human understanding. Rather than demanding specific outcomes, Christians can trust that God’s answers will always accomplish something greater than they could have planned themselves.

Prayer therefore becomes an act of dependence upon God’s unlimited power while submitting to His perfect will. It moves believers from anxiety to confidence because they know they are praying to a God whose ability has no limits.

5. What does it mean that God receives glory “throughout all ages, world without end”?

Answer:

Paul emphasizes that God’s glory is eternal. Human kingdoms rise and fall, generations come and go, and earthly accomplishments eventually fade. God’s glory, however, continues forever because His kingdom has no end.

Every generation of believers joins the countless worshipers who have glorified God throughout history. The church’s mission is not temporary but continues until Christ returns and into eternity itself. In heaven, God’s redeemed people will forever praise His greatness, grace, and faithfulness.

This eternal perspective gives significance to everyday Christian living. Acts of worship, faithful service, evangelism, and obedience are part of God’s everlasting plan to glorify Himself. Believers therefore live not merely for temporary achievements but for the eternal glory of God, knowing that their lives participate in a purpose that will never end.