3:16
Verses 3:16–19 are the contents of Paul’s prayer. Be sure that this is clear in your translation. Another way to introduce the contents of this prayer is:
I ask God… (Good News Translation)
3:16a
I ask that: The words I ask are not in the original Greek. The Berean Standard Bible (and many other English versions) has added them here, and in 3:17c, to make the translation clearer.
out of the riches of His glory: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as out of the riches of His glory is literally “according to the wealth of the glory of him.” Both “wealth” and “glory” refer here to God’s unlimited resources, to everything he has and is. He is infinite in his goodness, power, and love. See glory, Meaning 4 in the Glossary.
Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
from his glorious, unlimited resources (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
from the wealth of his glory (Good News Translation)
Because this is Paul’s prayer to God, it may be more natural to use direct speech here. For example:
I pray ⌊to God⌋ for you like this, “God, from out of the many many things you(sg) have”…
3:16b
He may strengthen you with power: The phrase He may expresses Paul’ wish for the Ephesians. It is what he wanted for the Ephesians It does not express doubt in his thinking.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
he will (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he would (God’s Word)
strengthen you with power: The words strengthen and power are a doublet. The Greek language uses doublets to emphasize an idea.
Here are some ways to translate this phrase:
⌊I pray that he will⌋ mightily empower you
-or-
⌊I pray that he will⌋ give you power so you will be spiritually strong
through His Spirit: It should be clear in your translation that this is a reference to the Holy Spirit. Some other ways to translate this are:
by means of His Holy Spirit
-or-
his Spirit will make you (Contemporary English Version)
inner being: The inner being includes the heart, mind, will and spirit of a person. It is similar to “heart” in 3:17.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
your inner selves (Good News Translation)
-or-
the inner person (NET Bible)
-or-
inwardly (New Century Version)
-or-
inner minds
General Comment on 3:16
Here is how to translate 3:16 using direct speech:
⌊God, I pray,⌋ “Take the many many things you have and send ⌊them⌋ through your Spirit so that the peoples’ inside minds might be strengthened and made strong.”
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