“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be the glory in the church and in Yeshua Messiah unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
The apostle closes the chapter with a doxology. It is proper to conclude our prayers with praises. Our blessed Saviour has taught us to do so. Take notice how he describes God, and how he ascribes glory to him. He describes him as a God that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. There is an inexhaustible fulness of grace and mercy in God, which the prayers of all the saints can never draw dry.
Whatever we may ask, or think to ask, still God is still able to do more, abundantly more, exceedingly abundantly more. Open thy mouth ever so wide, still he hath wherewithal to fill it. Note, In our applications to God we should encourage our faith by a consideration of his all-sufficiency and almighty power. According to the power which worketh in us. As if he had said, We have already had a proof of this power of God, in what he hath wrought in us and done for us, having quickened us by his grace, and converted us to himself. The power that still worketh for the saints is according to that power that hath wrought in them. Wherever God gives of his fulness he gives to experience his power. Having thus described God, he ascribes glory to him. When we come to ask for grace from God, we ought to give glory to God. Unto him be glory in the church by Yeshua Messiah.
In ascribing glory to God, we ascribe all excellences and perfections to him, glory being the effulgency and result of them all. Observe, The seat of God’s praises is in the church. That little rent of praise which God receives from this world is from the church, a sacred society constituted for the glory of God, every particular member of which, both Jew and Gentile, concurs in this work of praising God. The Mediator of these praises is Yeshua Messiah.
All God’s gifts come from his to us through the hand of Messiah; and all our praises pass from us to him through the same hand. And God should and will be praised thus throughout all ages, world without end; for he will ever have a church to praise him, and he will ever have his tribute of praise from his church. Amen. So be it; and so it will certainly be. (Matthew Henry)
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Verse 20
able
Genesis 17:1; 18:4; 2 Chronicles 25:9; Jeremiah 32:17,27; Daniel 3:17; 6:20; Matthew 3:9; John 10:29,30; Romans 4:21; 16:25; Hebrews 7:25; 11:19; 13:20,21; James 4:12; Jude 1:24
exceeding
Exodus 34:6; 2 Samuel 7:19; 1 Kings 3:13; Psalms 36:8,9; Song of Solomon 5:1; Isaiah 35:2; 55:7; John 10:10; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Timothy 1:14; 2 Peter 1:11
according
7; 1:19; Colossians 1:29
Verse 21
be
1:6; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Psalms 29:1,2; 72:19; 115:1; Isaiah 6:3; 42:12; Matthew 6:13; Luke 2:14; Romans 11:36; 16:27; Galatians 1:5; Philippians 2:11; 4:20; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 13:21; 1 Peter 5:11; Revelation 4:9-11; 5:9-14; 7:12-17
by
Philippians 1:11; Hebrews 13:15,16; 1 Peter 2:5
throughout
2:7; 1 Peter 5:11; 2 Peter 3:18; Jude 1:25