The Central Tower (Eph. 3:14-21)
`The name and nature of every fatherhood' (Eph. 3:15)
The epistle to the Ephesians has seven sections which deal with doctrine
and seven sections which deal with practice. These two pairs of sevens we have
likened to the wings of a large house, united in the centre by a tower, having
three floors, and ending with a pinnacle. This illustration is printed on page
8, to which the reader is referred should the matter not be clear. Before going
over to the practical wing, we must ascend the tower, examine its three stages
and consider its heaven pointing pinnacle. The section of Ephesians that is
before us is Ephesians 3:14-21 and is a great prayer. The structure of the
section is as follows:
Ephesians 3:14-21.
The central Prayer
V
Prayer.
i
14.
Prayer to Father.
j
15. Every family in heaven and earth.
W
k1 16-. In order that
According (kata) to
(hina)
riches of glory.
Threefold
l1-16,17.He may
Strengthened
grant.
with might
petition
(dunamis and krataio).
k2 18-.
In order that
and
(hina)
To have strength
l2 -18. You may
enough (exischuo).
threefold
comprehend.
k3 19-.
In order that
Able to do(dunamai),
enduement.
(hina)
according (kata) to
l3-19,20.You may
power (dunamis) that
be filled.
worketh (energeo) in us.
V
Dox-
i 21-. Glory to Him.
ology.
j -21. All the generations of the age of the ages.
The three stages are indicated by the threefold occurrence of hina `in
order that':
In order that
He may grant.
In order that
You may comprehend.
In order that
You may be filled.
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