Ephesians 3:17 · KJV
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,"
King James Version
What does Ephesians 3:17 mean? →Passage Context
Devotional Reflection
Love that goes beyond what we know. It's hard to explain, but you know what it means when you've loved your partner for decades and they're as close to you as an organ. This phrase makes sense when you love a child and do things for them that you never thought you could do for another person. And when you stand before God as a full heir to all His great riches and a full brother or sister of Jesus Christ the Lord and know that He sees you as holy, without fault, and blameless, you start to understand what this phrase means.
Prayer
Help me to understand the love that is greater than words and knowledge in my soul, holy and incredible God, so that I may not only be like You but also experience You in the same way that I have faith in You. I pray in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
What's the best way to bless the people we care about in Christ Jesus? What is the best thing we can do to help when a Christian brother or sister, or even a whole group of God's people, is facing a big problem from the Evil One? What is one of the best things we can do to help our kids or parents live for Jesus right now? Just now, the apostle Paul showed us. We can ask God to give the Holy Spirit's presence and power to His people so they can be stronger. Then we can let them know that we have prayed this for them and will continue to do so until their storm is over.
Prayer
Kind God and All-Powerful Father, please send Your power and presence through the Holy Spirit to bless (name several specific people as you pray). I will keep doing everything I can to encourage and strengthen them, but I believe they need the power of Your Spirit much more than anything I could do. I'm glad You hear my prayer. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
Paul wants us to have strong bonds of love with each other. Knowing and sharing the love of Christ helps us bring God's full blessing to others more than understanding all the unsolvable mysteries of the universe or the deep teachings of the Bible. Even though knowing things can be helpful, love is still better. Power can be useful, but love is even more useful. Experience can teach us a lot, but love shows us how to use what we've learned to help others. Let's be a group of people whose lives are filled with love. (cf. 1 Cor. 13)
Prayer
Father, let the Holy Spirit pour Your love into my heart, and then let me pour that love into the lives of those around me. Make me a tool of Your grace so that those whose lives I touch can feel Your love in a clear and unmistakable way. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
Love that goes beyond what we know. It's hard to explain, but you know what it means when you've loved your partner for decades and they're as close to you as an organ. This phrase makes sense when you love a child and do things for them that you never thought you could do for another person. And when you stand before God as a full heir to all His great riches and a full brother or sister of Jesus Christ the Lord and know that He sees you as holy, without fault, and blameless, you start to understand what this phrase means.
Prayer
Holy and amazing God, help me feel the love that goes beyond words and knowledge, so that I can not only be like You, but also know You through experience as well as faith. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
Related Devotions
Ephesians 3:17
Let Christ Dwell in Your Heart
This is one of my favorite passages in the New Testament. Paul is praying for us! He's not just praying for the Ephesians, but for all who will come to know Jesus and allow Christ to dwell in our hear
Ephesians 5:1
Live In Love
evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. You could find it diffic
Daily Bible in Your Inbox
Get a daily verse, devotional, and prayer delivered every morning.