What Does Ephesians 3:20 Mean in the King James?

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,

Ephesians 3:20 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The Greek ties “able” and “power” to one word family: the capacity that exceeds what you can imagine is already at work within you.

THE MEANING

God’s capacity reaches beyond everything you can ask or hold in thought. That power is already at work within you now, in the same life where your asking and imagining arise.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The false belief is that what can happen is bounded by what you can currently ask for or imagine. This verse locates the power at work in you beyond that limit.

THE ROOT

δυναμένῳ

dynamenō

GROWS FROM

δύναμαι

dynamai

To be able; to have capacity.

“able / power” in this verse is dynamenō. The Greek ties “able” and “power” to one word family: capacity names both what God can do and the power already at work in us. The sentence holds immeasurable reach together with present activity.

ALSO GROWS

dynamis: Power, capacity

δύναμις

This is the word translated “power” in the verse, sharing its family with “able.”

dynatos: Able, capable, powerful

δυνατός

This related form keeps capacity at the center of the verse’s claim.

dynamoō: To strengthen, make powerful

δυναμόω

This branch shows the same capacity as something that can take effect and strengthen.

ἐνεργουμένην

energoumenēn

GROWS FROM

⁨ἔργον⁩ (ergon), in the word family of ⁨ἐνεργέω⁩ (energeō)

Work or deed; ⁨ἐνεργέω⁩ means to work, be active, or take effect.

“Worketh” describes power active within us, not a reserve waiting elsewhere. Its Greek word family connects activity to work itself, so power appears as something taking effect in present life.

ALSO GROWS

ergon: Work, deed

ἔργον

This is the work at the heart of the word family behind “worketh.”

energeia: Activity, operation

ἐνέργεια

This related noun makes the verse’s active, ongoing sense visible.

energeō: To work, be active

ἐνεργέω

This is the verb family used for the power working within us.

THE PATTERN

Divine capacity exceeds human limits and becomes active within human life.

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

Jeremiah 32:17 · KJVJeremiah names a power for which nothing is too hard; Ephesians also places that capacity beyond human limits.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

2 Corinthians 9:8 · KJVGod’s ability is expressed as abundance taking shape in the lives of those who receive it.

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

1 Corinthians 12:6 · KJVThe same God works through many forms of activity and within all.

THE THREAD

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13 · KJV

The Greek ⁨ἐνεργέω⁩ (energeō, “to work, be active”) appears in both passages. Ephesians names power working in us; Philippians names God working in you, joining divine activity to the life within.

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