Fathers

Ephesians 3

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For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 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 glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

Ephesians 3:18

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"To the end that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be strong to apprehend with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth," Thus is his prayer now again, the very same as when he began. For what were his words in the beginning? …

Homily on Ephesians 7 ↗

Gregory of Nyssa

The great Paul, who was instructed by those ineffable words which he heard, having been initiated in the mysteries within the paradise, clarifies this mystery for us, as he hinted in part through his words to the Ephesians, saying: "That you may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Therefore, the divine eye of the Apostle did not perceive the form of the cross …

On The Three Days ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

What he prayed for at the beginning — that the Spirit of wisdom and revelation would be given to them for the knowledge of what is the hope of their calling and so forth — this he now says as well: that you "may be able to comprehend with all" the faithful the mystery accomplished for your sake — it is so great that it extends in every direction. Therefore he described it with outward features, ascribing to it both height and depth and breadth on every side. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

Let us think first about physical "breadth and length, depth and height" in order that we may be able to pass through these physical dimensions to their spiritual dimensions. For the sake of argument, let the physical length be that of heaven and earth, that is, of the whole world, from east to west. Let the breadth be from south to north. Let the depth be from the abyss and the infernal regions. Let the height be to all that is elevated above the heavens. But they say that the earth is round and rotates as a sphere. …

Commentary on Ephesians 3:16 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Previously the Apostle revealed the object of his petition or prayer in behalf of the Ephesians, a strengthening of spirit in faith and charity (3:14). Consequently, he here shows the fruit of this strengthening through faith and charity; it is a certain type of knowledge. He sets forth: First, the knowledge itself. Secondly, the effective power of this awareness or knowledge (3:19b). …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Bonaventure

In the third place, for the soul to be hierarchized, it is necessary that it see the city going up into heaven. And that is when, through infusion into it of divine strength, light and warmth by the eternal Sun, it piously venerates, clearly speculates, and holily enjoys, and in so doing, comprehends the indissoluble bond of divine charity, the irrevocable gift of divine charity, the incomparable fire of divine charity, and the incomprehensible consolation of divine charity. …

Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 23 ↗