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`advantage'), perissoteros `more abundantly' (Gal. 1: 14). The fact that the A.V.
translates perisseia `superfluity' (James 1: 21) shows that it ranks with the words
hyperbole and hyperballo as a word indicating excess, even to the extravagance were not
God Himself and all His resources the pledge of fulfillment. As one looks back over the
revelation that has been given in these three chapters of Ephesians, the heart may well
quail at the prospect of rising to any level of appreciation or approximation, but this the
Apostle answers by pointing a way to God Himself as One Who is able to do `exceeding
abundantly'.
Eph. 1: 3 opened our study with the words "Blessed be God". Eph. 3: 21 concludes
our study with this marvelous doxology, and here the doctrinal portion of this mighty
epistle reaches its utmost limit. The fullness of God as expressed in the love of Christ
fills all breadth, length, depth and height. All that lies beyond is not a matter of present
revelation, and therefore cannot form part of present Christian doctrine. We can end on
one note only, a note of thanksgiving and of praise. It is fitting that a section which
opens with a benediction "Blessed be God Who hath blessed us" should close with a
doxology "Now unto Him . . . . . be glory". We shall appreciate this sublime doxology
the better if we observe that it falls into three parts:
(1)
Him to Whom the praise is given.
(2)
The medium through which this praise will be offered.
(3)
The duration of this adoration.
"Now unto Him Who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or
think." This is the character of the One to Whom such a prayer as that of Eph. 3: can
alone be made. Here we learn that even when we breathe these inspired petitions, we
shall not apprehend one half of the magnitude of our request. God however does not
limit our praying or His answers to our apprehension. He is able to exceed all our asking
and all our thinking, and one of the reasons may be suggested in the next clause,
"According to the power that worketh in use".
In the opening of the prayer the limitless source of supply is revealed--"According to
the riches of His glory". In the doxology the equally limitless power that answers these
requests is made known.
What is this mighty power that works both in us and that moves the very arm of God?
It is presupposed that the teaching of Eph. 1: will have been grasped before the teaching
of Eph. 3: is reached, In that early chapter the Apostle prayed that we may know:
"What is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to
the inworking of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him
from the dead . . . . . far above all . . . . . Head over all things to the church . . . . . the
fullness of Him that filleth all in all."
The power that answers the prayer of Eph. 3:, is the power that raised Christ from
the dead, that placed Him at the right hand of God, that put all things under His feet.