Ephesians 3:16 Meaning and Explanation
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Context of Ephesians 3:16
Verses 14-21 form Paul's second prayer in Ephesians, offered on bended knee. Verse 16 is the first of its linked petitions, asking for inner strength as the foundation for all that follows.
What Does Ephesians 3:16 Mean?
Paul kneels in prayer and asks God to strengthen His people from the inside out. The request is for inner strength, might supplied "by his Spirit in the inner man." Paul prays first for a fortified soul, deeper than any change in circumstances. The "inner man" is the hidden self, the place where courage, faith, and character either thrive or fail. It is precisely there, in the unseen core, that Paul asks God to pour His power.
Notice the measure of the request: "according to the riches of his glory." Paul has used this language of abundance throughout the letter, and he uses it here to set the scale of God's giving. God strengthens His people out of His own boundless glory, an immeasurable supply. The means is the Spirit, God's own presence at work within. This is a prayer worth praying for oneself and for others: that the inner person would be made strong enough to meet hardships with faith, deeper than asking only that those hardships would ease. For a reader facing pressure, discouragement, or fear, this verse points to a real and available resource. Strength for the soul is something God grants, drawn from a supply that cannot be exhausted, and it reaches the deepest part of us where we most need it.
Ephesians 3:16 in the Original Language
The Greek "krataioo" (strengthened) means to be made strong or empowered. "Dunamis" (might, power) is the root of the English "dynamite," denoting effective force.
Bible Verses Related to Ephesians 3:16
“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”
- Colossians 1:11
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:16
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
- Isaiah 40:31
How to Apply Ephesians 3:16 Today
Pray for inner strength, not only for easier circumstances. Ask the Spirit to fortify the hidden self so you can meet whatever comes with steady faith.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ephesians 3:16
What does Ephesians 3:16 mean?
Paul kneels in prayer and asks God to strengthen His people from the inside out. The request is for inner strength, might supplied "by his Spirit in the inner man." Paul prays first for a fortified soul, deeper than any change in circumstances. The "inner man" is the hidden self, the place where courage, faith, and character either thrive or fail. It is precisely there, in the unseen core, that Paul asks God to pour His power.
What is the context of Ephesians 3:16?
Verses 14-21 form Paul's second prayer in Ephesians, offered on bended knee. Verse 16 is the first of its linked petitions, asking for inner strength as the foundation for all that follows.
How can I apply Ephesians 3:16 today?
Pray for inner strength, not only for easier circumstances. Ask the Spirit to fortify the hidden self so you can meet whatever comes with steady faith.