TO KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST

TO KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST

 May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:18-19)

Verse 18: Able to comprehend - A believer cannot understand the fullness of God’s love apart from genuine, Spirit-empowered love in his own life. With all the saints - Love is both granted to (Romans 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:9) and commanded of (John 13:34, 35) every Christian, not just those who have a naturally pleasant temperament or have great spiritual maturity. Breadth … length … height … depth -Not 4 different features of love, but an effort to suggest its vastness and completeness.

Verse 19: To know the love of Christ - Not the love believers have for Christ, but the love of and from Christ that He places in their hearts before they can truly and fully love Him or anyone else (Romans 5:5). Which passes knowledge - Knowledge of Christ’s love is far beyond the capability of human reason and experience. It is only known by those who are God’s children (Philippians 4:7). Filled with all the fullness of God - To be so strong spiritually, so compelled by divine love, that one is totally dominated by the Lord with nothing left of self. Human comprehension of the fullness of God is impossible, because even the most spiritual and wise believer cannot completely grasp the full extent of God’s attributes and characteristics—His power, majesty, wisdom, love, mercy, patience, kindness, and everything He is and does. But believers can experience the greatness of God in their lives as a result of total devotion to Him. Note the fullness of God, here; the fullness of Christ in Ephesians 4:13; and the fullness of the Spirit in Ephesians 5:18. Paul prayed for believers to become as Godlike as possible (Matthew 5:48; 1 Peter 1:15, 16).