“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on 
 earth derives its name.“

Ephesians 3:14-15 

–

JULY 21, 2025

When a passage of Scripture begins with words like “For this reason,” the preceding verses must be taken into consideration! In this case, Paul is talking about the mystery of the gospel, that through Jesus both Jew and Gentile are now part of one body and heirs of the same promise; how the revelation of this mystery made him, the worst of sinners, an evangelist to the Gentiles. This is why Paul kneels before the Father in worship. 

When was the last time you knelt before the Father in worship? For me it was at the last Thursday morning Huddle meeting I attended. There is something powerful about a large group of men getting on their knees together to pray. There is spiritually strengthening when the men of Huddle humble themselves.  

Paul began his worship by acknowledging God for who He is. To derive a name from something is to take its identity. The nobility of England in times past often took the name of the territory under their dominion. For example, the English general who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo was named Arthur Wellesley, but he is known to history as Wellington, a town and its environs some distance west of London under his authority. 

God has a family in heaven and on earth. Paul’s wording indicates that His people have a name derived, not from territorial holdings, but from God Himself, the family of God. To be part of a family is to have an identity. Our true and lasting identity comes from being members of the family of God. 

God is also in the process of growing His family through the redemption of men and women, boys and girls. Paul grasped this amazing enterprise of God because he had been redeemed himself as “the worst of sinners.” Paul was passionate about the transformation of his own life, which he knew was God’s hope for the people of his day, both Jews and Gentiles. Each of us as members of the family of God has a role and a purpose.   

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • What posture do you take when going to the Lord in prayer?  
  • How could the story of your salvation motivate you to embody the gospel to others?  
  • What part have you been called to play in the family of God?      

 Church Reading Plan: Judges 4; Acts 8