 |  |
The main thought of the prayer is now evident. The apostle desires that those whose
collective dispensational position can be described in the terms of a holy temple shall
have some individual and experimental acquaintance with this truth. Many times
teaching stops too short. We are far too satisfied with dogma and not so easily moved to
prayer. Every doctrine of Scripture could be followed by the words "For this cause I bow
my knees". Having seen the true connection of this prayer, we must now seek to view it
as a whole before looking at its parts in detail.
Eph. 3: 14-21.
A | 14, 15. |
a |
Prayer to the Father.
b
| According to riches.
B | The Prayer.
| C1 | 16, 17. In order that.
Strength.
16-19.
|
Reason.
Christ may dwell.
|
Rooted in love.
| C2 | 18.
In order that.
Mighty enough.
|
Reason.
Comprehend.
|
Love of Christ.
| C3 | 19.
In order that.
Filled.
|
Reason.
Fulness of God.
A | 20, 21. |
a | Praise to the Father.
b | According to power.
The prayer proper occupies verses 16-19, and the little word hina "in order that"
divides it into three sections. Each section prepares for and leads up to the next, which
ends on the high note of "all the fulness of God".
The essential difference between the two prayers of this epistle, 1: 15-23 and
3: 14-21, is found in the attitude which each takes with regard to Christ. In the first
prayer we look away to the right hand of God and behold Christ there; in the second
prayer we look within and are prepared to find Christ there. The first prayer strikes the
note "in Christ"; the second "Christ in me". This order is inspired and vital. To look
within before I am established as to what Christ is for me, and what I am in Him, is
disastrous. Only when I know the truth of death, burial, resurrection and ascension "with
Christ" can I contemplate the possibility that Christ may dwell by faith in my heart. In
the first prayer the request is made that we might know what is the exceeding greatness of
His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which
He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead. In the second prayer that
power is recognized. "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." That power is "The
power of His resurrection". Nothing short of this can avail. Any other power mocks the
death and corruption of our nature.
We must leave the prayer for further study in our next article, but we need not
necessarily wait before we too "bow our knees unto the Father".