Ephesians (W6D3) Deep Roots
Week 6. Wednesday: Deep Roots
PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word.
READ: Ephesians 3:17
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words
Dwell (Greek: katoikeō): to inhabit, to settle in
This word can also mean: to inhabit in a way that prompts and governs.
Therefore, Christ does not just live in us, He also lives through us.
In a negative sense, when an evil spirit lives in us it will also prompt and govern us for the purpose of doing evil.
When Christ lives in us He will prompt and govern us for the purpose of righteousness and glorifying God.
Through Faith (Greek: dia pistis): because of our trust in God
“Through” refers to the ground or reason by which something is done.
“Faith” is a confident conviction and trust in God.
Rooted (Greek: rhizoō): to strengthen deeply, to render firm, thoroughly grounded
This is a powerful word picture. Roots are the lifesource and strength of trees. Trees with deep roots are not easily toppled or uprooted. Trees growing on higher, dryer ground will set its roots deeper for greater nourishment.
Therefore, we need to set our roots deeply in love.
Paul uses this same word picture in Colossians 2:6-7.
Established (Greek: themelioō): grounded, stable foundation, founded
This word tells us that our foundation should be in love.
A stable foundation is the strength of a structure that can withstand the storms (see Matthew 7:25 and 1 Peter 5:10).
APPLY: What is this passage calling me to do?
Rooted and established in love. Paul uses this word picture to show that our source and foundation for the Christian life is love. The deeper the roots, the stronger the tree. A tree with shallow roots is easily blown over by a strong gust of wind. If we are not deeply rooted in love, we will not have the strength to endure this life. Paul clearly defined love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. And in 13:8 he says that kind of love never fails.
What relationships in your life require love as the foundation?
How would being rooted in love change your everyday life?
PRAY: Ask God to help you become rooted and established in love.
