Re: eph 3:20

Jonathan K. Landon (thelandon5@juno.com)
Sat, 19 Jul 1997 22:43:32 EDT

On Wed, 16 Jul 1997 09:49:19 +0930 Andrew Kulikovsky
<anku@CelsiusTech.com.au> writes:
>I posted this question a few days ago and not one person responded
>(which is very uncharacteristic of b-greek) so I'll post it again:
>
>--
>Filloi,
>
>Who does "Now to him" refer to in Eph 3:20?
>
>The Greek says:
>TWi DE DUNAMENWi UPER PANTA POIHSAI UPEREKPERISSOU WN OUMEQA H NOOUMEN
>KATA THN DUNAMIN THN ENERGOUMENHN EN hUMIN, AUTWi H DOXA EN TH
>EKKLHSIA....
>
>My translation:
>And to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask for or
>can possibly imagine according to the power at work within us, to Him
>be
>glory in the church....
>
>Now I personally see the TWi ("to Him") as referring to the Holy
>Spirit.
>The whole context refers to the Spirit that indwells us in order that
>Christ may dwell in our hearts (v. 17). It can't refer to Christ since
>He is mentioned in the next verse - so I think it can really only
>refer
>to the Spirit or God generally.
>
>Note that the TWi ("to Him") can be taken as neuter or masculine - the
>Spirit (PNEUMA) is neuter). Also, the NIV inserts "his" when refering
>to
>the power at work within us - which is not in the Greek.
>
>So what do others think?
>
>cheers,
>Andrew
>
>
>Andrew S. Kulikovsky B.App.Sc(Hons) MACS
>Software Engineer
>CelsiusTech Australia
>Module 6 Endeavor House
>Technology Park
>Adelaide Australia 5095
>Ph: +618 8343 3837
>Fax: +618 8343 3777
>email: anku@celsiustech.com.au
>
>Some people are so narrow-minded,
> they can see through a key hole with both eyes
>Others are so open-minded
> their brain has fallen out.
>
>

In the context in which the text appears, I would have to say that "TWI"
refers to God the Father. Look at the block beginning with EPH 3:14 and
ending with 21. This is a unified, Trinitarian prayer.

"For this reason, I kneel before the FATHER, from whom his whole family
in heaven and earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious
riches He may strengthen you with power through His SPIRIT in your inner
being,

(NOTE: the connection between the Father and power. The only noun which
could be the antecedent of "His riches" and "He may strengthen you with
power" is the Father.)

...so that CHRIST may swell in your hearts through faith. 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.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or
imagine according to His power ...

(NOTE: Power was mentioned before, directly associated with the FATHER,
so Paul is probably referring to the FATHER again, here)

... that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church...

(Probably refers to the Spirit, as the activity of the church was
evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. For example, notice in the
Apostles Creed - the oldest summary of the Christian faith - in the
paragraph about the father, his nature as creator is mentioned. In the
paragraph about Jesus Christ, his life, death and resurrection are
mentioned. In the paragraph about the Holy Spirit, the Church is
mentioned.)

...and in CHRIST JESUS throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
Amen. (NIV)

(Obviously refers to the Son.)

So you see, this is a profound Trinitarian statement, closing a
Trininarian prayer on behalf of the Ephesians.