In Ephesians 3:20, hyperekperissou (ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ) emphasizes God’s ability to do far beyond what we ask or think. Paul closes his prayer for believers to be strengthened and know Christ’s love with praise for God’s power at work among them (Ephesians 3:14–21).
Greek word study is most useful when it helps us read a sentence in its setting. English translations already communicate the central point of Ephesians 3:20: God’s ability exceeds our requests and thoughts. Looking closely at the Greek can clarify that point without treating it as a hidden meaning.
Read the prayer before the final praise
Read Ephesians 3:14–21 as a whole. Paul prays for inner strength through the Spirit, Christ’s dwelling in believers through faith, and a shared understanding of Christ’s love. Verses 20–21 close with praise to God. This context guides our application: the passage concerns God’s work in his people, not a guarantee that every personal ambition will be fulfilled. Read the Greek passage (SBLGNT).
Hyperekperissou: far beyond what we ask or think
Hyperekperissou (ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ) is an emphatic adverb expressing an extraordinary degree. English renderings such as “immeasurably more” and “far more abundantly” convey its force. Its meaning should be checked through usage and context, rather than assigning a separate theological idea to each part of its spelling.
The word also occurs in 1 Thessalonians 3:10 and 5:13. It is therefore not unique to Ephesians 3:20, and its presence here does not establish that Paul invented a word or broke Greek grammar. Mounce’s dictionary and concordance list all three New Testament occurrences.
“Who is able” is in the Greek
The word dynamenō (δυναμένῳ) comes from dynamai (δύναμαι), the verb for being able. “Who is able” translates an explicit Greek expression; translators did not add the idea merely because of a grammatical case ending. See the dictionary entry for dynamai.
Asking and thinking
The phrase aitoumetha ē nooumen (αἰτούμεθα ἢ νοοῦμεν) refers to what we ask or think. English translations that use “ask” and “think” or “imagine” preserve that distinction. The conjunction means “or”; it does not by itself establish a special theological contrast with what “and” would have meant.
The power at work in us
Energoumenēn (ἐνεργουμένην) is a present participle modifying dynamin (δύναμιν), “power.” Mounce parses it here as middle voice. It describes the power as working. The separate words en hēmin (ἐν ἡμῖν) mean “in us”; that whole phrase is not contained in the participle alone. Check the entry and parsing for energeō.
In the sentence, kata (κατά) introduces “according to the power.” This connects God’s ability with the power working in believers. It does not state a formula in which greater human effort gives God greater ability. We should not turn the grammar into a measure of how much power a person has earned.
A way to study and respond
- Read Ephesians 3:14–21 and list what Paul asks for.
- Notice how the closing praise follows those requests.
- Compare two English translations, then check a Greek term in a lexicon.
- Distinguish what the passage says from your own application. A possible response is to pray for deeper love and spiritual strength, while entrusting the outcome to God.
Frequently asked questions
Does hyperekperissou occur only here?
No. It also occurs in 1 Thessalonians 3:10 and 5:13. Its emphasis matters, but it is not evidence for a word invented solely for this verse.
Did English translators add “able”?
No. The Greek δυναμένῳ explicitly expresses ability. “Who is able” communicates that expression in English.
Does the Greek make God’s power depend on my effort?
No such formula appears in the sentence. The phrase about power working in believers belongs within Paul’s prayer and praise. It should not be used to blame someone’s unanswered prayer on insufficient effort.
Do I need to know Greek to understand this verse?
No. Read a reliable translation and the surrounding prayer first. Greek tools can help answer a specific language question; a single word’s possible meanings should not replace the meaning of the whole passage.
Sources and correction
Checked October 1, 2026 against the linked SBL Greek New Testament text and Mounce dictionary entries. This revision corrects earlier claims that the adverb was unique or invented here, that “able” was added in English, and that the grammar limits divine power according to human effort. It also removes unsupported word-part explanations and cross-reference labels.
Continue your study
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