Ephesians 3:17

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Ephesians 3:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 3:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Ephesians 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, &c.] This is another petition put up by the apostle for the Ephesians, which is for the inhabitation of Christ in them: the inhabitant Christ is he who dwells in the highest heavens, who dwells in the Father, and the Father in him, in whom all fulness dwells, the fulness of the Godhead, and the fulness of grace; so that those in whose hearts he dwells cannot want any good thing, must be in the greatest safety, and enjoy the greatest comfort and pleasure; and this inhabitation of Christ prayed for is not to be understood in such sense, as he dwells everywhere, being the omnipresent God; or as he dwells in the human nature; nor of his dwelling…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“That--So that. dwell--abidingly make His abode (Joh 14:23). Where the Spirit is there Christ is (Joh 14:16, Joh 14:18). by faith--Greek, "through faith," which opens the door of the heart to Jesus (Joh 3:20). It is not enough that He be on the tongue, or flit through the brain: the heart is His proper seat [CALVIN]. "You being rooted and grounded in love" (compare Eph 3:19), is in the Greek connected with this clause, not with the clause, "that ye may be able to comprehend." "Rooted" is an image from a tree; "grounded" (Greek, "founder," "having your foundations resting on"), from a building (compare Notes,, see on Eph 2:20-21; Col 1:23; Col 2:7). Contrast Mat 13:6, Mat 13:21. "Love," the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith - see the notes, Ephesians 2:22. Expressions like this often occur in the Scriptures, where God is said to dwell in us, and we are said to be the temples of the Holy Spirit; see the John 14:23, note; 1 Corinthians 6:19, note. That ye being rooted - Firmly established - as a tree is whose roots strike deep, and extend afar. The meaning is, that his love should be as firm in our hearts, as a tree is in the soil, whose roots strike deep into the earth. And grounded - θεθεμελιωμένοι tethemeliōmenoi - “founded” - as a building is on a foundation. The word is taken from architecture, where a firm foundation is laid, and the meaning is, that he wished…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Dwell - That is, constantly and sensibly abide. Ephesians 3:18”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:17 Having Christ . . . make his home in your hearts is the source of spiritual power for life and ministry (see John 14:16-17, 23; 15:4-5; Gal 2:20).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Christ: Eph 2:21; Isa 57:15; Joh 6:56, Joh 14:17, Joh 14:23, Joh 17:23; Rom 8:9-11; Co2 6:16; Gal 2:20; Col 1:27; Jo1 4:4, Jo1 4:16; Rev 3:20 being: Mat 13:6; Rom 5:5; Co1 8:1; Co2 5:14, Co2 5:15; Gal 5:6; Col 1:23, Col 2:7 grounded: Mat 7:24, Mat 7:25; Luk 6:48 \*Gr. Ephesians 3:18”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification