Ephesians 3:16
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Study Note
Study Note
Paul prays for the Colossians to be 'strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man' — directing the prayer toward interior strengthening rather than external circumstance. The 'inner man' (ho eso anthropos) is the site of the Spirit's renewal in 2 Corinthians 4:16 as well ('our inner self is being renewed day by day'), forming a consistent Pauline anthropology of spiritual growth. The progression in 3:17-19 is notable: the Spirit strengthens the inner man so that Christ may dwell in the heart, which grounds the believer in love, which enables knowing the dimensions of Christ's love, which leads to fullness in God — a chain of deepening intimacy. The verse reflects a trinitarian pneumatology: the Spirit's work is the means of the Son's dwelling, which enables the Father's fullness.
Other Translations
that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;
that He may give to you, according to the riches of His glory, with might to be strengthened through His Spirit, in regard to the inner man,
That in the wealth of his glory he would make you strong with power through his Spirit in your hearts;
Cross References
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; …
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they …
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of …
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the …
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and …
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in …
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which …
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;