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Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n God is able to answer our greatest and mightiest prayers.<\/p>\n \u201cNow<\/span>\u201d is translated from the connective particle de<\/em><\/span>, which usually serves to introduce a new thought or idea. It is variously translated as \u201cand, but, now, or moreover.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAble<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek verb dunamai<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto have the ability or power to do something.\u201d<\/p>\n The words \u201cexceedingly abundantly<\/span>\u201d are translated from the Greek word huperekperissou<\/em><\/span>. This is a double compound word made up of huper<\/em><\/span> (hyper) meaning \u201cabove\u201d or \u201cbeyond,\u201d ek<\/em><\/span>, used as an intensifier, and a form of perissoteros<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cabundantly more.\u201d Thus, you can see that this word expresses the idea of \u201cmore than a huge amount.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAsk<\/span>\u201d is from aite\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which we saw back in verse thirteen, meaning \u201cto ask\u201d or \u201cto beg.\u201d It is expressed here in the middle voice, so it could be interpreted as \u201cask for ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201cworks<\/span>\u201d is from the verb energe\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto be actively at work.\u201d It is expressed as a participle.<\/p>\n Before we get to today\u2019s verse, let\u2019s look at something we left out of yesterday\u2019s verse. The second half of that verse contained the fourth in a series of petitions in Paul\u2019s prayer to God the Father. He prayed that we might be filled with all the fullness of God. But, what does he mean by \u201cthe fullness of God?\u201d The best way to answer this question is by Scripture itself. In Colossians 2:9<\/strong><\/span> Paul said, \u201cFor in Him<\/span> [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.<\/span>\u201d So, when Paul prayed that we might be filled with all the fullness of God he was asking that we be completely filled with Christ.<\/p>\n Paul now closes his prayer with a doxology. Translating this doxology is a little tricky, let\u2019s see why. The words \u201cabove all<\/span>\u201d are part of an independent clause associated with the verb translated \u201cdo<\/span>.\u201d The next clause in the Greek text begins with \u201cexceedingly above<\/span>\u201d and is associated with \u201call that we ask or think.<\/span>\u201d Therefore, the first part of this verse should probably be translated as, \u201cNow to Him who has the power to do beyond all, exceedingly above all that we ask for ourselves or think \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n This doxology proclaims the power that the Father has to answer our prayers. Since the word translated \u201cworks<\/span>\u201d is a participle, it indicates a continual working, not an off- and-on thing. Also, God\u2019s power (His ability) is greater than that possessed by any created thing. It is so great, according to Paul, that it exceeds that which is necessary to satisfy anything we could ask for and above all that we could even think of asking.<\/p>\n Paul\u2019s expression \u201cthe power that is working in us<\/span>\u201d is probably a reference to the Holy Spirit of God, for it is the Holy Spirit that manifests God\u2019s power to mankind.<\/p>\n When we pray to God the Father, we should not pray selfishly. Neither should we pray sheepishly; that is, we should not be afraid to ask God to do great and marvelous things. Rather, we should pray boldly, so that when our prayers are answered the credit can go to no one other than our great and powerful God. Answered prayers bring praise to God alone!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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