Ephesians 3:16 16in order that according to the riches of his glory he may enable you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Paul uses four purpose clauses (indicated in the Greek with hina) in this prayer that are connected and progressive. Verse 16 opens with the first of these. The reason Paul goes to prayer in behalf of the Ephesians is so that God may give them inner strength through the Holy Spirit. The thought of this purpose is not complete but continues into v. 17 with a second purpose. At this point, Paul is simply establishing how God can help the Ephesians to know Christ more deeply.
The source for this inner strengthening is the riches of God’s glory. God’s glory has been most evidently seen in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul writes in Romans 6:4, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” The goal of humanity is to experience God’s glory and be restored to this glory from which all have fallen (Romans 3:23). This glory is the image of God in which humanity was made. Only in Christ can this image be fully restored and experienced. Our goal in life is to be transformed into this image “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The source of this transformation is the very power and glory of the Almighty God. God’s glory represents his very presence and power, which are too awesome for humans to fathom or experience. God grants this glorious presence to those who come to him in faith.
Paul is asking that God would continue his work of transformation in the Ephesians through the Holy Spirit. It is impossible to experience God’s full purposes for us by attempting to “work” for our salvation by keeping a set of laws. Paul stresses in this letter that a new people is created by those who put their lives under the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. This then opens people up to the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is only by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit within us that eternal transformation can take place.
The Holy Spirit works deep within us, in our consciences and innermost being, in our minds where we make decisions and consider our existence. The same Spirit who breathed life into Adam breathes new life into us. The Spirit renews our minds and teaches us to think like Jesus (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 2:16). There is no greater source for strength than the one who creates and sustains life. God knows us inside and out. Astronomers are discovering new galaxies, stars, and even planets in the universe. The psalms declares, “How awesome are your deeds, O Lord.” It is mind boggling to think that this same Creator of the universe is concerned about the affairs of our lives.
There is no energy crisis when it comes to God. We do not have to worry about God’s oil running out or his battery running low. Yet, this same awesome God comes to us right where we are and loves us and wants to change us into something more wonderful than we can ever imagine. Knowing this, “we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
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