Ephesians 3:20-21
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
April 6, 2025
Intro: Up to this point, the book of Ephesians has been one long theological study as Paul has emptied the contents of his soul and revealed the mysteries that were hidden from the foundation of the world. After this great outpouring of truth, Paul concludes this chapter by giving voice to the praise that dwells in his heart. As Paul writes the words of this great book, he is overwhelmed by the truths he has been privileged to learn. So, after he prays for the Ephesian saints, he lifts his voice in praise to the One Who made all this possible, “Now Unto Him... To Him Be Glory!”
These last two verses of this chapter are what we call a “doxology.” The word “doxology” comes from the Greek words “doxa” and “logos.” The word “doxa” refers to “the kingly majesty which belongs to God as supreme ruler, majesty in the sense of God’s absolute perfection of the deity.” It speaks of “splendor, brightness, magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace, and highness.” It is usually translated “glory” in the New Testament. The word “logos” means, “collection” and is often translated “word” in the New Testament, because it speaks of the process of “collecting thoughts in the mind, then expressing those thoughts through words.” Thus, a “doxology” is “a word of glory.” It is simply a statement of praise that ascribes glory to Him, that exalts His name. I want to examine Paul’s doxology and share with you “A Word of Glory.” In the beginning of this letter to the Ephesians, Paul spent considerable time describing the blessed condition of the church. He reminds us that we are not an accident, but we are saved because of the deliberate, solemn will of our God.
• We are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world - 1:4.
• We are secure in our salvation, because the Holy Spirit has given us guarantee - 1:14.
• We are brought out of death into life by the grace of God - 2:1-4.
• We are saved and seated with Him in heavenly places already - 2:5-7.
• We are brought near to God by the precious blood of Jesus Christ - 2:12-18.
• We are His family - 2:19! We are His Temple - 2:20! We are His body - 2:22!
Having told us about the glory of God in saving us, Paul prays (3) things for the church...
• He prays that we will be filled with the power of God - 3:16.
• He prays that we will both know and live out the awesome love of God - 3:17-18
• He prays that we will be able to experience the fullness of God Himself - 3:19.
These three petitions are powerful, wonderful, and glorious. However, they are impossible for us to accomplish within our own power. We could never walk in His power without His help. We could never understand even the smallest truth about God unless He opened our eyes and revealed it to us personally. If God does not reveal himself to man, we could never know God! So, as part of his doxology of praise to the Lord, Paul lets us know that we have help! Thank God, there is help for those who desire His power. There is help for those who want to know His awesome love. There is help for those who want to show that same awesome love to others. There is help for all those who desire to know the Lord in His fullness!
A. He is Able - While we are unable to do any of the things Paul mentioned on our own; He is able! The word “able” means, “to be capable, strong and powerful.” My Bible says, “all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist,” Colossians 1:16.
B. He is Abundant - Paul says that God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think.” The phrase has the idea of, “going above and beyond.” God’s ability exceeds the lengths to which our minds can think. His ability goes beyond the limits of what we can ask.
C. He is Above - Verse 20 is a triad of praise declaring God’s ability: “He is able to do; He is able to do exceeding abundantly; He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.” There is no question in the minds of believers that God is able, but too many of us fail to enjoy the privilege of exceeding abundance! Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and that life more abundantly.”
OH! THAT IS A WORD OF GLORY! - Paul ends his doxology by making a grand statement about the glory of God. Notice what he says about God and His glory.
A. The Place of His Glory - “to Him be glory in the church” - This phrase reminds us that the church exists for the sole purpose of bringing glory to God. He is glorified in the church, because the church is made of sinners who have been saved by His grace. He loved us when we deserved to be cast into Hell. As we love Him and love one another, He is glorified. As we sing, pray, work, and serve in the church, He is glorified. Everything we do at the church should be done with a view to bringing glory to the Lord. Every decision we make, every dollar we spent, every missionary we support, every job we assign, should all be for His glory. Every person who serves here in any capacity should perform his or her job for the glory of God alone. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,” 1 Corinthians 10:31.
B. The Person of His Glory - “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus” Nowhere is God more glorified that in the person of His Son! Jesus always has been and ever will be His “beloved Son in Whom” He is “well pleased.” We need to examine our music, our preaching, our service, and our motives and be sure that everything we do serves to magnify the name of the One Who brings the ultimate glory to God. If we will talk about Jesus, preach about Jesus, sing about Jesus, praise the name of Jesus, and be head over heels in love with Jesus, God will be glorified by our church.
C. The Permanence Of His Glory - “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations” This glory that God receives through the church, and through His Son, is not a fleeting glory. Paul says that it will last “throughout all ages, world without end.” God will be receiving glory from His church, because of His Son, when the end of time comes and eternity flows into eternity. One day, the Lord Jesus will come for His church. He will take his bride home to Heaven to live in the Father’s house forever, and as the endless ages of eternity unfold, the church in Heaven, will continue to bring glory to Him as we worship Him and dwell in His glory forever. There is a song that will be sung, “Holy, Holy, Holy!”
