'For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Eph. 3:14-21).'
Paul prayed to God who created all beings and has power over all he created by ‘naming’ them. In OT times it was thought that if you named a person, you understood the nature and essence of that person and had power over them. When Jacob wrestled with a mysterious adversary at night (God) he wanted to know his adversary’s name so he could prevail (Gen 32:29-30). Paul prayed for the community to be strengthened spiritually so that their faith may increase and to be filled with the incomprehensible love of Christ which could lead to a true understanding of God. May God receive Glory throughout all generations to come by their actions. Paul drew a distinction between the body of Christ, the Church, and Christ the head of the Church.
Almighty God, you alone know the heart of every person and the capacity of each follower of Christ to do good. May your infinite grace increase our faith and fill us with the love of Christ so that we may be a worthy member of the Body of Christ and give you glory in all that we do. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
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