Ephesians 3:14-15

An Introduction to Paul's Prayer

In 3:14, Paul resumes the approach to God's throne which he had begun in Ephesians 3:1. The things that caused him to bow in prayer are primarily found in chapter 2. Some of those are: the grace of God toward lost men, reconciliation between Jew and Gentile, making both friends again with God and the great privileges the Gentiles now have under Christ's law.

The bending of ones' knees is a sign of reverence, or respect. One of the words for worship in the New Testament is proskuneo and suggests making obeisance, or bowing, or even to kiss the ground toward one. Others knelt in prayer to show their respect for God (Luke 22:41; Acts 9:40; Acts 20:35; Acts 21:5). However, such is not the only position for prayer which is mentioned in scripture (1 Timothy 2:8; Luke 18:13; Acts 16:24-25). Paul's prayer was directed to the Father in heaven, in accord with Jesus' model (Matthew 6:9). The whole family of God would seem to include angels, faithful men of the past and the faithful on earth. They are sons of God (3:15).