Ephesians 3:19

Amplified Bible

and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God's presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.

Revised Standard Version
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
and to knowe what is the love of Christ which love passeth knowledge: that ye might be fulfilled with all manner of fulnes which commeth of God.

Hebrew Names Version
and to know Messiah's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.

New American Standard Bible
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.

New Century Version
Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.

Update Bible Version
and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fullness of God.

English Standard Version
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

World English Bible
and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
that ye may be filled with all the fulness of God.

Weymouth's New Testament
yes, to attain to a knowledge of the knowledge-surpassing love of Christ, so that you may be made complete in accordance with God's own standard of completeness.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
also to wite the charite of Crist more excellent than science, that ye be fillid in al the plentee of God.

English Revised Version
and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

Berean Standard Bible
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Contemporary English Version
I want you to know all about Christ's love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.

American Standard Version
and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

Bible in Basic English
And to have knowledge of the love of Christ which is outside all knowledge, so that you may be made complete as God himself is complete.

Complete Jewish Bible
yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing, so that you will be filled with all the fullness of God.

Darby Translation
and to know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge; that ye may be filled [even] to all the fulness of God.

International Standard Version
that is, you will know the love of Christ, which goes far beyond knowledge, and will be filled with all the fullness of God.John 1:16; Ephesians 1:23; Colossians 2:9-10;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
and know the grandeur of the love of the Meshiha, and be filled with all the fulness of Aloha.

Murdock Translation
and may know the greatness of the Messiah's love; and [fn] ye may be filled with all the fullness of God.

King James Version (1611)
And to know the loue of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that yee might bee filled with all the fulnesse of God.

New Living Translation
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

New Life Bible
I pray that you will know the love of Christ. His love goes beyond anything we can understand. I pray that you will be filled with God Himself.

New Revised Standard
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And to knowe the loue of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all fulnesse of God.

George Lamsa Translation
And to know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
To get to know, also, the knowledge-surpassing, love of the Christ, - in order that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God:

Douay-Rheims Bible
To know also the charity of Christ, which surpasseth all knowledge: that you may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And to knowe the loue of Christe, whiche excelleth knowledge, that ye might be fylled with all fulnesse of God.

Good News Translation
Yes, may you come to know his love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.

Christian Standard Bible®
and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

King James Version
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Lexham English Bible
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Literal Translation
and to know the surpassing knowledge and love of Christ, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.

Young's Literal Translation
to know also the love of the Christ that is exceeding the knowledge, that ye may be filled -- to all the fulness of God;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and to knowe the loue of Christ, which loue yet passeth all knowlege: that ye maye be fylled with all maner of fulnesse of God.

Mace New Testament (1729)
and be sensible of his exceeding love, in giving you the knowledge of Christ, that you may be filled with all the supplies of divine bounty.

New English Translation
and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

New King James Version
to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Your ride with Christ will let you experience this love, but to be honest, it's too great to fully understand. Only through this process will you be made a complete hand, with all the fullness of life and power that comes with it.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Legacy Standard Bible
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Contextual Overview

¹⁴For this reason [grasping the greatness of this plan by which Jews and Gentiles are joined together in Christ] I bow my knees [in reverence] before the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ], ¹⁵from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name [God—the first and ultimate Father]. ¹⁶May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, ¹⁸be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God's people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; ¹⁹and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God's presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].²⁰Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, ²¹to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

to know: Ephesians 3:18, Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:25, John 17:3, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-12, Colossians 1:10, 2 Peter 3:18, 1 John 4:9-14

passeth: Philippians 1:7

that ye: Ephesians 1:23, Psalms 17:15, Psalms 43:4, Matthew 5:6, John 1:16, Colossians 2:9, Colossians 2:10, Revelation 7:15-17, Revelation 21:22-24, Revelation 22:3-5

Reciprocal: Exodus 36:29 - coupled 2 Samuel 7:19 - And is this Job 11:8 - deeper Psalms 16:11 - in thy Psalms 81:10 - open Psalms 103:11 - as the Psalms 107:43 - they shall understand Proverbs 8:21 - fill Proverbs 30:3 - nor Ecclesiastes 3:8 - time to love Song of Solomon 3:10 - the midst Song of Solomon 7:4 - thine eyes Jeremiah 31:14 - my people Zechariah 9:17 - how great is his goodness Matthew 15:27 - yet Matthew 16:17 - but Luke 10:37 - He that John 1:14 - full John 10:14 - am Acts 2:4 - filled Romans 8:39 - Nor Romans 15:29 - General 1 Corinthians 13:9 - General 2 Corinthians 8:9 - the grace Ephesians 1:17 - in the knowledge Ephesians 3:8 - unsearchable Ephesians 4:10 - that he Philippians 3:8 - the excellency Philippians 4:7 - passeth 1 John 1:4 - that 1 John 3:1 - what

Cross-References

Genesis 3:12
And the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me—she gave me [fruit] from the tree, and I ate it."

Genesis 3:13
Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent beguiled and deceived me, and I ate [from the forbidden tree]."

Genesis 3:16
To the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth; In pain you will give birth to children; Yet your desire and longing will be for your husband, And he will rule [with authority] over you and be responsible for you."

Genesis 3:21
The LORD God made tunics of [animal] skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

Genesis 3:22
And the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), knowing [how to distinguish between] good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take from the tree of life as well, and eat [its fruit], and live [in this fallen, sinful condition] forever"—

Genesis 18:27
Abraham answered, "Now behold, I who am but dust [in origin] and ashes have decided to speak to the Lord.

Genesis 23:4
"I am a stranger and a sojourner (resident alien) among you; give (sell) me property for a burial place among you so that I may bury my dead [in the proper manner]."

Job 1:21
He said, "Naked (without possessions) I came [into this world] from my mother's womb, And naked I will return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."

Job 19:26
"Even after my [mortal] skin is destroyed [by death], Yet from my [immortal] flesh I will see God,

Job 21:26
"Together they lie down in the dust, And the worms cover them.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,.... The love of Christ to his own, to his church and people, is special and peculiar; free and Sovereign; as early as his Father's love, and is durable and unchangeable; the greatest love that ever was heard of; it is matchless and unparalleled; it is exceeding strong and affectionate, and is wonderful and surprising: the instances of it are, his engaging as a surety for them; his espousing both their persons and their cause; his assumption of their nature; his dying in their room and stead; his payment of their debts, atoning for their sins, and bringing in for them an everlasting righteousness; his going to prepare a place for them in heaven; his intercession for them there; his constant supply of all their wants, and the freedom and familiarity he uses them with. The saints have some knowledge of this love, some tastes of it; their knowledge is a feeling and experimental one, fiducial and appropriating, and what influences their faith, and love, and cheerful obedience, but it is but imperfect; though the knowledge they have of it is supereminent, it exceeds all other knowledge, yet this love passes knowledge; not only the knowledge of natural men, who know nothing of it, but the perfect knowledge of saints themselves, in the present life, and of angels also, who desire to look into it, and the mysteries of it; and especially it is so as to some instances of it, such as the incarnation of Christ, his becoming poor who was Lord of all, being made sin, and a curse, and suffering, the just for the unjust. Now the apostle prays, that these saints might know more of this love; that their knowledge, which was imperfect, might be progressive.

That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God; this is the last petition, and is to be understood, not of a full comprehension of the divine Being, nor of a communication of his divine perfections, nor of having in them the fulness of grace, which it has pleased God should dwell in Christ; but either of that fulness of good things, which they may receive from God in this life; as to be filled with a sense of the love and grace of God; with satisfying views of interest in the righteousness of Christ; with the Spirit, and the gifts and graces thereof; with full provisions of food for their souls; with spiritual peace, joy, and comfort; with knowledge of divine things, of God in Christ, of Christ, of the Gospel, and of the will of God; and with all the fruits or righteousness, or good works springing from grace; or else of that fulness which they shall receive hereafter, even complete holiness, perfection of knowledge, fulness of joy and peace, entire conformity to God and Christ, and everlasting communion with them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And to know the love of Christ - The love of Christ toward us; the immensity of redeeming love. It is not merely the love which he showed for the Gentiles in calling them into his kingdom, which is here referred to; it is the love which is shown for the lost world in giving himself to die. This love is often referred to in the New Testament, and is declared to surpass all other which has ever been evinced; see the Romans 5:7-8, notes; John 15:13, note. To know this; to feel this; to have a lively sense of it, is one of the highest privileges of the Christian. Nothing will so much excite gratitude in our hearts; nothing will prompt us so much to a life of self-denial; nothing will make us so benevolent and so dead to the world; see the notes on 2 Corinthians 5:14.

Which passeth knowledge - There “seems” to be a slight contradiction here in expressing a wish to know what cannot be known, or in a desire that they should understand that which cannot be understood. But it is the language of a man whose heart was full to overflowing. He had a deep sense of the love of Christ, and he expressed a wish that they should understand it. Suddenly he has such an apprehension of it, that he says it is indeed infinite. No one can attain to a full view of it. It had no limit. It was unlike anything which had ever been evinced before. It was love which led the Son of God to become incarnate; to leave the heavens: to be a man of sorrows; to be reviled and persecured; to be put to death in the most shameful manner - on a cross. Who could understand that? Where else had there been anything like that? What was there with which to compare it? What was there by which it could be illustrated? And how could it be fully understood Yet “something” of it might be seen, known, felt; and the apostle desired that as far as possible they should understand that great love which the Lord Jesus had manifested for a dying world.

That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God - What an expression! How rich and glorious Who can comprehend all that it implies? Let us inquire into its meaning. There “may” be here in these verses an allusion to the “temple.” The apostle had spoken of their being founded in love, and of surveying the length, and breadth, and depth, and height of that love, as of a vast and splendid edifice, and he now desires that those whom he addressed might be pervaded or filled with the indwelling of God. The language here is cumulative, and is full of meaning and richness.

(1) They were to be “full of God.” That is, he would dwell in them.

(2) They were to be filled with “the fulness of God” - τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ Θεοῦ to plērōma tou Theou. On the word rendered “fulness,” see on Ephesians 1:10, note, 23, note. It is a favorite word with Paul. Thus, he speaks of the “fulness” of the Gentiles, Romans 11:25; the “fulness” of time, Galatians 4:4; the fulness of him that filleth all in all, Ephesians 1:23; the “fulness” of Christ, Ephesians 4:13; the “fulness” of the Godhead in Christ, Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9. It means here, “that you may have the richest measures of divine consolation and of the divine presence; that you may partake of the entire enjoyment of God in the most ample measure in which he bestows his favors on his people.”

(3) It was to be with “all” the fulness of God; not with partial and stinted measures of his gracious presence, but with “all” which he ever bestows. Religion is not a name. It is not a matter of form. It is not a trifle. It is the richest, best gift of God to man. It ennobles our nature. It more clearly teaches us our true dignity than all the profound discoveries which people can make in science; for none of them will ever fill us with the fulness of God. Religion is spiritual, elevating, pure, Godlike. We dwell with God; walk with God; live with God; commune with God; are like God. We become partakers of the divine nature 2 Peter 1:4; in rank we are associated with angels; in happiness and purity we are associated with God!

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 19. To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge — It is only by the love of Christ that we can know the love of God: the love of God to man induced him to give Christ for his redemption; Christ's love to man induced him to give his life's blood for his salvation. The gift of Christ to man is the measure of God's love; the death of Christ for man is the measure of Christ's love. God so loved the world, c. Christ loved us, and gave himself for us.

But how can the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, be known? Many have laboured to reconcile this seeming contradiction. If we take the verb γνωναι in a sense in which it is frequently used in the New Testament, to approve, acknowledge, or acknowledge with approbation, and γνωσις to signify comprehension, then the difficulty will be partly removed: "That ye may acknowledge, approve, and publicly acknowledge, that love of God which surpasseth knowledge." We can acknowledge and approve of that which surpasses our comprehension. We cannot comprehend GOD yet we can know that he is; approve of, love, adore, and serve him. In like manner, though we cannot comprehend, the immensity of the love of Christ, yet we know that he has loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood; and we approve of, and acknowledge, him as our only Lord and Saviour. In this sense we may be said to know the love of Christ that passeth knowledge.

But it is more likely that the word γνωσις, which we translate knowledge, signifies here science in general, and particularly that science of which the rabbins boasted, and that in which the Greeks greatly exulted. The former professed to have the key of knowledge; the secret of all Divine mysteries; the latter considered their philosophers, and their systems of philosophy, superior to every thing that had ever been known among men, and reputed on this account all other nations as barbarians. When the apostle prays that they may know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, he may refer to all the boasted knowledge of the Jewish doctors, and to all the greatly extolled science of the Greek philosophers. To know the love of Christ, infinitely surpasseth all other science. This gives a clear and satisfactory sense.

That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. — Among all the great sayings in this prayer, this is the greatest. To be FILLED with God is a great thing; to be filled with the FULNESS of God is still greater; but to be filled with ALL the fulness of God, παν το πληρωμα του θεου, utterly bewilders the sense and confounds the understanding.

Most people, in quoting these words, endeavour to correct or explain the apostle, by adding the word communicable; but this is as idle as it is useless and impertinent. The apostle means what he says, and would be understood in his own meaning. By the fulness of God, we are to understand all those gifts and graces which he has promised to bestow on man, and which he dispenses to the Church. To be filled with all the fulness of God, is to have the whole soul filled with meekness, gentleness, goodness, love, justice, holiness, mercy, and truth. And as what God fills, neither sin nor Satan can fill; consequently, it implies that the soul shall be emptied of sin, that sin shall neither have dominion over it, nor a being in it. It is impossible for us to understand these words in a lower sense than this. But how much more they imply, (for more they do imply,) I cannot tell. As there is no end to the merits of Christ, no bounds to the mercy and love of God, no limits to the improvability of the human soul, so there can be no bounds set to the saving influence which God will dispense to the heart of every believer. We may ask, and we shall receive, and our joy shall be full.