Ephesians 3:17 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, being firmly rooted and grounded in love,
The purpose of God’s strengthening through the work of the Holy Spirit in our inner most being is so that we may know Christ more intimately. God created us with a deep hunger and need that can only be fulfilled when we have Jesus Christ living within us through His Holy Spirit. Paul makes a significant connection with the persons of the Trinity in the opening verses of this prayer. First, he prays to the Father who is the one able to grant all the points of this prayer (vv. 14-16a). Second, the Spirit brings power to our inner person (heart, mind, soul, or conscience; v. 16b). Third, the Spirit’s work results in Christ dwelling within our hearts (v. 17). The Father gives the Spirit with the result of knowing Christ.
Paul writes in this letter that the very purpose of our creation is to be in Christ. The only way to be in Christ is through the filling of the Holy Spirit. God’s purpose for humanity can be simply summarized: to know Christ by allowing the Spirit to guide us and empower us to love. This is where we find our reason for existence and purpose for how we live. Our choices and worldview are determined by our relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit. Consequently, there is no greater emptiness than to be in a place where we have removed ourselves from Light that shines in the darkness. The only way we can experience this fullness of Christ is through faith. Faith requires that we seek Christ and live in obedience to the leading of the Spirit. Paul summarizes this simply in 2:8-10. All of this is dependent upon God’s grace, and that is Paul’s appeal in this prayer.
Faith in Christ will lead to being firmly rooted and grounded in love. Love is the result of a deepening relationship with Christ. The image is one of security and strength. Having the love of Christ within us will enable us to stand up under the stresses and trials of life. Paul knew this first hand, having experienced much suffering but coming to know more deeply the grace of Christ. The two participles used in this phrase have an instrumental sense to them. Christ’s love dwells within us because we have allowed this love to be rooted and established. The love is starting to grow. This is how we come know the love of Christ. There is also a sense of result with these participles. The result of Christ dwelling within us is to have this firm foundation.
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