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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ephesians 3:14 ... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ephesians/3-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/49_Eph_03_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ephesians 3:14 - Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father," /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ephesians/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ephesians/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For this reason I kneel before the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ephesians/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ephesians/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ephesians/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/ephesians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />... for reason of this I bow my knees to the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ephesians/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ephesians/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ephesians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For this reason I bend my knees before the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ephesians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ephesians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ephesians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ephesians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For this reason [grasping the greatness of this plan by which Jews and Gentiles are joined together in Christ] I bow my knees [in reverence] before the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ],<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ephesians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For this reason I kneel before the Father<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ephesians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For this reason I kneel before the Father<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ephesians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ephesians/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I kneel in prayer to the Father. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ephesians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ephesians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />This is the reason I kneel in the presence of the Father<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ephesians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />For this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ephesians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />This is the reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ephesians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ephesians/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For this reason I kneel before the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ephesians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For this cause, I bow my knees before the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ephesians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/ephesians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For this reason, on bended knee I beseech the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ephesians/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ephesians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/ephesians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />... for reason of this I bow my knees to the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ephesians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ephesians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For this I bend my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ephesians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ephesians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />By reason of this grace, I bend my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ephesians/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For this reason I kneel before the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ephesians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ephesians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/ephesians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And I bow my knees to The Father of our Lord Yeshua The Messiah,<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/ephesians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/ephesians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For this cause I bow my knees to the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/ephesians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For this end I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/ephesians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />for this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/ephesians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For this reason, on bended knee I beseech the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/ephesians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For this cause I bow my knees to the Father,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/ephesians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ephesians/3-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AfeSHen3sAQ?start=504" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ephesians/3.htm">Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13</span>So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5484.htm" title="5484: charin (Prep) -- Accusative case of charis as preposition; through favor of, i.e. On account of.">... for this reason</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: Toutou (DPro-GNS) -- This; he, she, it. "></a> <a href="/greek/2578.htm" title="2578: kamptō (V-PIA-1S) -- To bend, bow. Apparently a primary verb; to bend.">I bow</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1119.htm" title="1119: gonata (N-ANP) -- The knee. Of uncertain affinity; the knee.">knees</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">before</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: Patera (N-AMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">Father,</a> </span> <span class="reftext">15</span>from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-9.htm">Philippians 2:9-11</a></span><br />Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15</a></span><br />For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-9.htm">Matthew 6:9</a></span><br />So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-9.htm">Colossians 1:9-12</a></span><br />For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, / so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, / being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-36.htm">Romans 11:36</a></span><br />For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-1.htm">1 John 3:1</a></span><br />Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9</a></span><br />Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-12.htm">John 1:12-13</a></span><br />But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— / children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-6.htm">Galatians 4:6</a></span><br />And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-17.htm">1 Peter 1:17</a></span><br />Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-23.htm">Isaiah 45:23</a></span><br />By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/95-6.htm">Psalm 95:6</a></span><br />O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-23.htm">Isaiah 66:23</a></span><br />From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/29-10.htm">1 Chronicles 29:10</a></span><br />Then David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly and said: “May You be blessed, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-10.htm">Daniel 6:10</a></span><br />Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,</p><p class="hdg">I.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/1-16.htm">Ephesians 1:16-19</a></b></br> Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/8-54.htm">1 Kings 8:54</a></b></br> And it was <i>so</i>, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/19-18.htm">1 Kings 19:18</a></b></br> Yet I have left <i>me</i> seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.</p><p class="hdg">the Father.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/1-3.htm">Ephesians 1:3</a></b></br> Blessed <i>be</i> the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly <i>places</i> in Christ:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/15-19.htm">Bended</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-13.htm">Beseech</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-25.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-9.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-11.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-11.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/romans/14-11.htm">Knee</a> <a href="/matthew/4-9.htm">Kneel</a> <a href="/romans/11-4.htm">Knees</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-13.htm">Reason</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/15-19.htm">Bended</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-1.htm">Beseech</a> <a href="/philippians/2-10.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-17.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-21.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/philippians/2-10.htm">Knee</a> <a href="/genesis/24-11.htm">Kneel</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-12.htm">Knees</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-8.htm">Reason</a><div class="vheading2">Ephesians 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/3-1.htm">The hidden mystery that the Gentiles should be saved was made known to Paul by revelation;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/3-8.htm">and to him was that grace given, that he should preach it.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/3-13.htm">He desires them not to be discouraged over his tribulation;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/3-14.htm">and prays that they may perceive the great love of Christ toward them.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ephesians/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ephesians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ephesians/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>... for this reason</b><br>This phrase indicates a continuation of thought from the previous verses. Paul is referring back to the mystery of Christ revealed to him, which includes the inclusion of the Gentiles as fellow heirs. This mystery is central to the unity of the church, a theme prevalent throughout Ephesians. The "reason" is the grace and purpose of God in uniting all believers in Christ, which Paul has been expounding upon.<p><b>I bow my knees</b><br>Bowing the knees is a posture of humility and reverence in prayer. In Jewish culture, standing was the common posture for prayer, but kneeling signified deep emotion and earnestness. This act of kneeling reflects Paul's deep reverence and submission to God. It also indicates the intensity of his prayer life and his earnest desire for the spiritual well-being of the Ephesians.<p><b>before the Father</b><br>The term "Father" emphasizes the intimate relationship believers have with God. In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of God as Father was not common, making this a distinctively Christian understanding. This relationship is made possible through Jesus Christ, who taught His disciples to pray to "Our Father." The fatherhood of God also implies His authority, care, and provision for His children, reinforcing the familial bond within the body of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus from prison, emphasizing his dedication and the importance of prayer.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_father.htm">The Father</a></b><br>Refers to God the Father, highlighting the intimate relationship believers have with God through Jesus Christ.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephesus.htm">Ephesus</a></b><br>A major city in Asia Minor, known for its diverse culture and the Temple of Artemis. The Ephesian church was a significant early Christian community.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/prayer.htm">Prayer</a></b><br>The act of bowing the knees signifies humility and reverence in prayer, a central theme in this passage.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_church.htm">The Church</a></b><br>The body of believers in Ephesus and, by extension, all Christians who are recipients of Paul's teachings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_posture_of_prayer.htm">The Posture of Prayer</a></b><br>Bowing the knees is a physical expression of humility and submission to God. It reflects an attitude of reverence and dependence on the Father.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intimacy_with_god.htm">Intimacy with God</a></b><br>Addressing God as Father signifies a personal and intimate relationship. Believers are encouraged to approach God with confidence and trust.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purposeful_prayer.htm">Purposeful Prayer</a></b><br>Paul’s prayer is intentional and specific, reminding us to pray with purpose and focus, aligning our requests with God’s will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_the_body_of_christ.htm">Unity in the Body of Christ</a></b><br>The prayer is for the collective body of believers, emphasizing the importance of praying for the church and its growth in faith and love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_strength.htm">Spiritual Strength</a></b><br>Through prayer, believers seek spiritual strength and empowerment from God, recognizing their need for His guidance and support.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ephesians_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_genuflection.htm">What does the Bible say about genuflection?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/will_every_knee_eventually_bow.htm">Will every knee eventually bow?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_wrath.htm">What is the Harrowing of Hell?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_christ's_infinite_love_possible.htm">Ephesians 3:17–19 speaks of comprehending infinite dimensions of Christ’s love—how is this logically or scientifically possible? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ephesians/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">Unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span>--The words "of our Lord Jesus Christ" appear, by both external and internal evidence, to be an interpolation--probably from a gloss indicating (in the true spirit of the Epistle) that the universal Fatherhood here spoken of is derived from the fatherly relation to Him in whom "all things are gathered up."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ephesians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 14-21.</span> - PRAYER FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For this cause.</span> The digression being ended, the apostle takes up the thread broken at ver. 1. We must seek the "cause" in <a href="/ephesians/2.htm">Ephesians 2</a>. Seeing that the Gentiles have now equal privileges with the Jews; seeing that by faith in Christ Gentile Christians have been brought as near to God, and have as good a right to the good things of the covenant; - I take the steps now to be specified for enabling them actually to possess these good things. On the one hand, the apostle saw the believing Ephesians still comparatively poor and needy; on the other hand, he saw all spiritual stores provided for them: the question was how to get the one into contact with the other. For this cause, he says, <span class="cmt_word">I bow my knees unto the Father.</span> An emphatic way of denoting prayer; but not incidental, occasional prayer, inspired by some passing feeling; the attitude "bow my knees" denotes <span class="accented">deliberate</span> prayer (comp. <a href="/daniel/6-10.htm">Daniel 6:10</a>), making a business of it, approaching God with reverence and holy fear, with all the solemnities suitable to the occasion of making a specific and important request. In the A.V. it is "unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." The R.V., some of the oldest manuscripts, and most recent commentators omit the latter words, which are supposed to have been taken from <a href="/ephesians/1-3.htm">Ephesians 1:3</a>. On internal grounds, the omission of the wends seems to yield the best sense, for in <a href="/ephesians/2-18.htm">Ephesians 2:18</a> our having access to "the Father" is spoken of, and when the apostle proceeded to show how he availed himself of that privilege, he is not likely to have used more than that expression. Further, there is such a close connection between <span class="greek">πατέρα</span> and <span class="greek">πατριὰ</span> in ver. 15, that they are not likely to have been far separated as the apostle used them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ephesians/3-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">for this reason</span><br /><span class="grk">χάριν</span> <span class="translit">(charin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5484.htm">Strong's 5484: </a> </span><span class="str2">Accusative case of charis as preposition; through favor of, i.e. On account of.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I bow</span><br /><span class="grk">κάμπτω</span> <span class="translit">(kamptō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2578.htm">Strong's 2578: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bend, bow. Apparently a primary verb; to bend.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my</span><br /><span class="grk">μου</span> <span class="translit">(mou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">knees</span><br /><span class="grk">γόνατά</span> <span class="translit">(gonata)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1119.htm">Strong's 1119: </a> </span><span class="str2">The knee. Of uncertain affinity; the 'knee'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="grk">πρὸς</span> <span class="translit">(pros)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> </span><span class="str2">To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸν</span> <span class="translit">(ton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Father,</span><br /><span class="grk">Πατέρα</span> <span class="translit">(Patera)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ephesians/3-14.htm">Ephesians 3:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ephesians/3-14.htm">Ephesians 3:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ephesians/3-14.htm">Ephesians 3:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ephesians/3-14.htm">Ephesians 3:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ephesians/3-14.htm">Ephesians 3:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ephesians/3-14.htm">Ephesians 3:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ephesians/3-14.htm">Ephesians 3:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ephesians/3-14.htm">Ephesians 3:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ephesians/3-14.htm">Ephesians 3:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ephesians/3-14.htm">Ephesians 3:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ephesians/3-14.htm">NT Letters: Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees (Ephes. 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