“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with 
all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to 
know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all 
the fullness of God.“

Ephesians 3:17b-19 

–

JULY 23, 2025

The Christian life is not a solo flight. The Christian life is lived in community with brothers and sisters in Christ.  

Paul continues his prayer by requesting the Spirit’s corporate empowerment so that the saints may gain appreciation for the magnitude of Christ’s love. He begins by reminding believers that they are rooted and established in love. They entered into a community characterized by people who love one another. This amazing interpersonal dynamic is the result of people who were first loved by God.  

The apostle uses three-dimensional terms to describe the love of Christ. This picture is one of limitless volume. How can one quantify the love of a Savior who was willing to take on flesh and walk among us? To lay down His life in order to rescue us from a hopeless predicament? We ignored or rejected Him, but Christ took on our burdens and carried our sins. What would motivate God to do such a thing? Only a love that is beyond our comprehension. 

Paul prays that we might know this love. Through faith, we can know God’s love with full assurance, because faith is being certain of what cannot be seen. There is no rational explanation for what Christ has done for us, but He did it! He did it out of love. This love has given humankind the opportunity to live life on this planet in fellowship with the God of the universe.  

And what is the result? Paul uses another volumetric term: the measure. As finite creatures we have a limited capacity, or measure, that God is willing to fill. The Infinite is willing to provide finite beings with something lacking—His love. All the fullness of God is His love. We can love God and love one another. Our brothers and sisters in Christ, but also our enemies and even those who oppose the gospel. How is this possible? Because we are filled to the measure with the fullness of God’s love. 

Our English word “love” does not do justice to this primary attribute of God. God’s love is a willingness to stoop to the lowest task in order to provide what is beneficial for someone else. It is taking action on behalf of others regardless of any recognition or reciprocation. There is no attempt to gain the approval of God or people in this endeavor, but rather a God-given motivation to serve others. As believers in Christ, God places within our hearts a sincere desire to emulate His love. In the face of our inability to do anything of the sort, He fills us to the measure with all His fullness, empowering us to manifest His love both within the church and to a lost and dying world. 

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • How would you describe the great magnitude of the love of Christ?  
  • Is there a way your story could express this truth?  
  • Are you willing to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God?    

Church Reading Plan: Judges 6; Acts 10