Ephesians 3:20
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This verse isn't just about God being able to do more than we ask or think, but that His ability to act exceeds the very capacity of our asking and thinking. It’s a powerful reminder that our prayers and imaginations, however earnest, can't possibly encompass the full, abundant scope of God's potential and willingness to bless us.
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,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul has just finished a profound prayer for the Ephesian believers, asking for them to be strengthened by God's Spirit and to grasp the immeasurable love of Christ. This verse immediately follows that prayer, shifting into a powerful expression of praise and confidence in God's ability to act far beyond their requests or imaginations, all by the very power that's already active within them.
Ever feel like your prayers or thoughts about God's goodness are hitting a ceiling? This verse shatters that ceiling!
Paul uses some incredible language here to describe God's power. He doesn't just say God can do more than we ask or think; he says God can do it 'exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.'
What does 'Exceeding Abundantly' Mean?
This isn't just a little extra. Think of it like this:
Paul uses unique, strong words in the original language to capture this immense, overflowing capacity of God. He is not limited by our requests or our mental capacity to grasp His goodness.
Where does this incredible power come from? It's not out there somewhere; it's connected to us!
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The verse doesn't just celebrate God's distant, abstract power. It connects this boundless ability to 'the power that worketh in us.' This is a crucial link!
The Source of God's Action
Paul is saying that the same God who can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine is the God whose power is actively present and functioning within the lives of believers.
Understand the original words
dynamin · Greek Noun
Divine energy or enablement that operates effectively within the believer. It is the irresistible and transformative operation of God that produces spiritual life and effects His purposes.
This passage directly encourages bringing requests to God, highlighting that His peace will guard hearts and minds, echoing Ephesians 3:20's emphasis on God's ability to exceed our prayers and thoughts.
Jeremiah 32:17This verse presents a powerful declaration of God's boundless ability, stating 'Ah, Lord GOD! It is I who made the heavens and the earth by my great power and by my outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for me,' which mirrors the sentiment of God's unfathomable capacity in Ephesians 3:20.
Romans 8:28This verse assures believers that 'all things work together for good,' suggesting God's active, abundant involvement in the lives of those who love Him, aligning with the idea that God works 'far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.'
1 Corinthians 2:9This verse states, 'But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart imagined, that God has prepared for those who love him,”' which directly parallels the theme in Ephesians 3:20 that God's provision and power far exceed human comprehension.
Colossians 1:29Paul's description of his struggle being 'according to his working by which he is powerfully at work in me' is a strong parallel to Ephesians 3:20's mention of 'the power at work within us,' demonstrating God's active, powerful presence in believers' lives.
bengelEphesians 3:20: "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,"
Ephesians 3:20 . Ὑπὲρ πάντα ) πάντα is governed by ποιῆσαι , whence ὑπὲρ is put adverbially, as presently after ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ , and ὑπερλίαν , 2 Corinthians 11:5 ; ὑπὲρ may however be construed with πάντα : comp. ch. Ephesians 1:22 , where ὑπὲρ πάντα means, that which is above all: this [His exaltation as Head of the Church] is above all exaltation,…
gillEphesians 3:20: "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,"
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly,.... This is the conclusion of the apostle's prayer, in which the power of God is celebrated, a perfection which is essential unto God, and is very large and extensive; it reaches to all things, to every thing that he wills, which is his actual or ordinative power; and to more things than he has wil…
This verse isn't just about God being able to do more than we ask or think, but that His ability to act exceeds the very capacity of our asking and thinking. It’s a powerful reminder that our prayers and imaginations, however earnest, can't possibly encompass the full, abundant scope of God's potential and willingness to bless us.
Paul has just finished a profound prayer for the Ephesian believers, asking for them to be strengthened by God's Spirit and to grasp the immeasurable love of Christ. This verse immediately follows that prayer, shifting into a powerful expression of praise and confidence in God's ability to act far beyond their requests or imaginations, all by the very power that's already active within them.
Paul has just finished a profound prayer for the Ephesian believers, asking for them to be strengthened by God's Spirit and to grasp the immeasurable love of Christ. This verse immediately follows that prayer, shifting into a powerful expression of praise and confidence in God's ability to act far beyond their requests or imaginations, all by the very power that's already active within them.
"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," — This verse isn't just about God being able to do more than we ask or think, but that His ability to act exceeds the very capacity of our asking and thinking. It’s a powerful reminder that our pra…
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Last reviewed October 2026
