Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.”
If anyone ever asked me to name a “life verse” for myself, Ephesians 3:20 would be it. For many years, I’ve named the words of this verse as my “go-to” – my understanding of Jesus’s work in my life.
The phrase “more than all” intrigues me. It’s grammatically incorrect. Every English teacher I have ever had would have marked it as such. I heard someone speak on this scripture some years ago and he pointed out: how can something be “more than all”? All is all.
Yes, all is all and yet God is more than all.
The Amplified Bible reads “Now to God who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes or dreams], according to God’s power that is at work within us . . .”
The Message paraphrases this verse “God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.”
My understanding that God is more than all is strength to me –
- In joy – “of course God is at work!”
- In anxiety – “God, how will this ever work out?”
- In question – “God, what is happening?? I don’t get it!”
- In wonder – “God, I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do this time!”
- In all circumstances . . . more than all!
I seek to know more fully, to love more deeply and to follow more closely the God who is more than all. I pray that my reflections will encourage you in your journey in the more of God.
Something More: Seeking the More of God 