I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might. Ephesians 1:16-19 (ESV)
Paul describes God’s power toward us as immeasurable. The Greek word used here means exceeding, to throw beyond the usual mark or surpass. To say that something is immeasurable is to say that it is endless, infinite, incalculable, immense or colossal.
The writer of Hebrews describes the power of Christ when he says that Christ upholds the universe by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:3 ESV). And Paul says that God’s eternal power can be clearly seen in the things that were made (Romans 1:20 ESV). But God’s power is not just “out there” somewhere. Paul said that the immeasurable greatness of God’s power is working toward us. That is, it is working in us and through us and for us. Paul prayed for the Ephesians to see that God’s power was working for them.
How is God’s power working toward us? It was the power of God’s gospel that saved us. Paul wrote, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16 ESV) God’s power enables us to live the Christian life. Peter said, His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3 ESV)
God empowers us to witness. Jesus told his disciples, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8 ESV) By God’s power we do spiritual warfare. Paul told the Corinthians, For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:4 ESV)
We endure suffering by God’s power. God told Paul, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Paul’s response was, Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV) We will be raised from the dead by the power of God. Again Paul wrote, And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. (1 Corinthians 6:14 ESV) Our faith and our inheritance are being kept by the power of God. Peter wrote that God has caused us to be born again . . . to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV)
Have the eyes of your heart been enlightened to see the greatness of God’s power toward you?
Scriptures for meditation:
Romans 1:4; 15:13
1 Corinthians 1:18, 24
2 Corinthians 13:4
Philippians 3:21