VERSE OF THE DAY
Ephesians 3:17-19 (New International Version)
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so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.
What Does It Mean To Be Rooted In God?
What It Means to Be Rooted in Christ & How to Establish Strong Roots in Jesus
Spiritual Growth Apr 07, 2021

As Christians, it is so important to establish strong roots in Jesus Christ. If we are going to live out our purpose as followers of Christ, we cannot live the Christian life and fulfill the mission God has for us without being rooted in Christ.
So what does being rooted in Christ mean and where did this come from? In this blog post, we will talk about:
• What it means to be rooted in Christ
• What the Bible says about being rooted
• Why it’s important to be rooted in Christ
• Practical steps to establish strong roots in Jesus Christ

What It Means to Be Rooted in Christ
Strong Roots Like a Tree
Understanding how a tree grows is the best way to describe what rooted in Christ means.
If you envision a tree that grows in the ground, some trees grow hundreds of feet tall and even grow several branches during its lifetime.
The strong roots of the tree are the foundation and allow the tree to grow tall and strong. The roots provide the foundation for the tree to grow, and provide the necessary nutrients through the soil that the tree needs to grow and to eventually produce fruit.

If someone were to move or replant the tree, a gardener would have to dig and uproot the roots in order for the tree to survive in its new location. The tree’s roots are essential to it’s growth.
Rooted in Christ Meaning
Just like a tree, we are called to grow and produce fruit as Christians for God’s glory. We are called to grow into mature Christians, and we are called to raise disciples and glorify God in the work he calls us to do.
The key to our spiritual growth and bearing fruit is establishing strong roots in Jesus Christ. Jesus provides all the essential nutrients we need to grow and bear fruit and also provides the foundation we need to stand firm when we face trials or tough seasons.
Being rooted in Christ means establishing strong roots or a strong foundation in Christ. Rooting yourself to Jesus means establishing a strong faith and reliance on Jesus so that you will not fall or be tossed around during trials.
Foundation in Christ
Being rooted in Christ can also be described as establishing your life’s foundation in Christ. This concept is described in the Bible in Luke 6.
“I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” – Luke 6:47-49 NLT
When you build your life on Christ and his Word, you are building a strong foundation for your life.
Just like a house that is built on a rock, when you build your life on Jesus, you will be able to stand firm during trials or storms. You will not be tossed around when time get tough because you have built your life on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ.
Being rooted in Christ and building your life’s foundation centered on Jesus is the key to standing firm in your faith and accomplishing what God has called you to do in this world.
How Can You Be Rooted in Christ? What Does the Bible Say About Being Rooted in Christ?
To understand how you can be rooted in Christ, let’s see what the Bible says about being rooted.
Being Rooted in the Word of God
In Colossians 2, Paul urges the people to be rooted in Christ so they are not deceived by false teachers.
“I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” – Colossians 2:4-8 NIV
In this verse, we see that the people are called to be rooted in Jesus Christ, to establish a firm faith in Christ, so they are not deceived by false teachers.
In the CSB translation, 2 Colossians 2 says “I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable”.
Paul knew that Christians would be deceived and led astray from following Jesus and God’s Word. Paul knew that people would fall away to follow the customs and pressures of the world that society deems acceptable. And this verse emphasizes that Christians can be deceived by arguments that sound reasonable.
That’s why it’s so important to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word; so that we are not deceived by things of this world that appear good or reasonable.
Reading and studying God’s Word is key to establishing strong roots in Jesus Christ. Knowing and living out God’s Word will help you discern God’s truth from the things off the world that seem good.
We see an emphasis on God’s Word in Psalm 1; the one who meditates on God’s Word will be like a tree planted by streams of water.
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.” – Psalm 1:1-4
This verse also addresses what happens to those that are not planted or rooted by God’s Word. While a person is like a tree planted by the streams of water from meditating on God’s Word, the wicked are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Those that don’t know or study God’s Word will not be rooted in Christ; they will be blown away by false teachings or from the ways of the world.
Being Rooted in the Love of Jesus Christ
In Ephesians 3, Paul is praying for the Ephesians, praying that Christ dwells in their hearts through faith and that they are rooted and established in his love.
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV
We see in this bible verse that we are called to be rooted and established in love. Ephesians 3 also talks about being strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside each follower of Christ, but we need to root ourselves in the love of Christ to experience and understand the fullness of God and this power.
When we root ourselves in the love of God and how much he loves each one of us, we have a sense of peace and confidence knowing who we are as children of God.
Do you ever notice how Christians carry more confidence in who they are and what they are capable of? Do you notice that they are secure in their identity as followers of Christ?
It’s the same with a child that grows up with a healthy relationship with his father.
According to Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R), by helping kids to understand how much they are valued and loved, children with supportive fathers are more likely to have high self-esteem and are generally happier and more confident. They are also demonstrate a greater tolerance for stress/frustration, less hesitation/fear in new situations and an increased ability to resist peer pressure and stand up for themselves.
For Christians, being rooted in God’s love helps establish a strong confidence and identity in Christ. By knowing how much we are loved, we are filled with the confidence and power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish what God has created us to do.
And by being rooted in God’s love, we are able to stand up against peer pressure or pressure from the world because we know we are already loved and accepted by God. When we are tempted to be deceived from things of this world that appear reasonable, we will have the confidence to reject the ways of the world.
Rooted in the Power of the Holy Spirit
Being rooted in the word of God and in the love of Christ are essential to a strong foundation in Christ, but it’s also important to be rooted in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 3 also talks about the power of the Holy Spirit and that it is through this power that we are able to accomplish what God is calling us to do.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” – Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Knowing that our strength comes from this power is essential as well as knowing how to discern and walk in step with your Spirit.
Your Holy Spirit will guide and speak to you personally which is why it’s so important to have your own personal relationship with God to get to know how God wants to speak to you from within.
As you apply the word of God to things you hear in the world, your Holy Spirit will help you discern God’s will. You may feel a strong sense of peace or urgency to go in a certain direction that can only come from your Spirit within.
As you establish your roots in Jesus, tune in to your Spirit and rely on the strength and power that can only come from your Holy Spirit within. You’ll be able to accomplish more than you ever thought possible through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside you.
When you are faced with your own Goliath in hard times, you’ll be able to rely on the power and strength from your Holy Spirit to stand strong and persevere.
Why It’s Important to Be Rooted in Christ
In addition to experiencing and living in the fullness of Christ and his love, here are 3 other reasons why it’s important to be rooted in Jesus Christ.
To Stand Strong During Trials
Being rooted in Christ also helps us stand strong and firm during trials that come our way.
In Jeremiah 7, the Bible refers to those who trust in the Lord and that they will be like a tree planted by the water, not fearing when heat comes.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 7:7-8 NLT
Once again, we see the Bible talk about confidence which helps Christians stand firm in their faith when trials or temptations come along.
Just like a tree with strong roots is able to stand strong during a storm, when you establish strong roots in Christ, you’ll be able to stand strong and not fall down when trials come your way.
When you are rooted in Christ, you’ll be able to stand strong in confidence knowing that God is in control. You won’t fear or worry when heat or trials come your way because you know who God is and what he is capable of.
And since you are rooted in Christ, you’ll be able to continue bearing fruit, even in tough seasons.
You’ll be able to stand strong in your faith even during major life changes or transitions.
Being Rooted in Christ is the Key to Bearing Fruit
We’ve seen the tree analogy come up a few times in the Bible so far as well as the concept of “bearing fruit”.

As the Bible talks about in John 15, being rooted in Christ also enables us to bear fruit for God’s glory. Establishing our roots in Christ enables us to be successful in this world and accomplish what God has created us to do.
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” – John 15:4-8 NIV
Jesus is the true vine. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. As Christians, we have to fix or root ourselves to Jesus in order to do what we are called to do in this world.
Jesus is our source to bearing fruit for this world. Jesus provides the nutrients we need – love, truth, and power – to accomplish what God created us to do in this world.
And as we remain in Jesus and bear fruit, God is glorified because we are proving to be disciples of Jesus.
To Discern God’s Truth so That You Are Not Deceived
We’ve already seen in Colossians 2 that it’s important to be rooted in Christ so that we are not deceived by things of this world that seem good or reasonable.
The Bible talks about the last days in Matthew 24 and warns that many will fall away and be deceived.
“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.” – – Matthew 24:4-5 NIV
“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 24:10-12 NIV
It is so important to know God’s Word now more than ever so that when you hear something that sounds good, you’ll be able to apply God’s Word as the source of truth and expose any arguments that don’t quite line up with God’s truth.
Strong roots in Jesus and in God’s Word will help you discern and stand strong when faced with decisions that contradict God’s Word. You’ll be able to say no to lies or pressures of the world because you know what God’s Word says.
Practical Steps to Become More Rooted in Christ
How can you practically become more rooted in Christ? How can you make sure your roots are affixed to Jesus and that you have the roots and foundation you need to grow and to stand strong?
Here are 5 ways you can become more rooted in Christ:

1) Surrender Your Whole Life to Christ
God wants our whole life and heart, not just parts of it. If there is an area that you know is out of line with God’s Word or that is not producing Godly fruit, this may be causing the storms and trials in your life.
Surrender any areas to God that have been holding you back and watch how God brings peace to this area of your life.
And if you’ve never surrendered your life to Jesus, learn more about what it means to follow Jesus and to become a follower of Christ.
2) Meditate on God’s Word
Reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word is so important. The more you meditate on God’s Word, the stronger your roots will become in Jesus.
In order to deceive the lies of the Enemy and lies of this world, you first need to know and understand what God’s Word says.
If you want to be able to discern the counterfeit promises the world offers, you have to first spend time with the source of truth, God’s Word, which will expose anything that contradicts with God’s Word.
The Bible tells us that people perish due to lack of knowledge.
I was perishing for so long before I surrendered my life to God because I never read the Bible. I thought I was growing closer to God by going to church more, but until I read the Bible and understood how God wanted me to live, I was destroying my life in the party scene and didn’t even know it.
Reading and obeying God’s Word helped transform me from a girl stuck in the party world to a girl in love with Jesus. You can read more about how God transformed my life and how I became a Christian here.
Meditating on God’s Word will also increase your faith. As you read and see all that God has done for his people, you’ll be filled with hope that God is faithful and that he will perform miracles for you.
And in seasons of waiting or tough seasons, you’ll be able to stand strong because you know that God is faithful. You’ll remember what God has done in the past, and you’ll be able to stand on God’s promises that he will do it again for those who believe.
Being rooted in Christ also means that you have faith in God and what he is capable of. You know God’s promises and you believe that God will give you what you ask for.
As you spend more time with God’s Word, make sure you are reading the Bible or listening to the Bible for yourself. God wants to speak to you directly through his Word, and he speaks the loudest when you read the Word for yourself.
If you only hear the Word of God on Sundays at church, you may have trouble growing. When you only hear the Word of God at church or from others on Instagram, you are not getting the spiritual nourishment you need to grow.
God wants to feed you the spiritual nourishment you need every day as you read the Word for yourself.
If you’re looking for a new devotion to start reading the Bible more, check out my 40-day summer devotional if you’re looking for beach devotions to read this summer 🙂
3) Spend Time With God in Prayer and Worship
As Christians, we must learn to rely on the voice of the Holy Spirit within to guide and direct us. God wants a personal relationship with each one of us, and we each need to spend quality time with God to strengthen this relationship and hear how God is speaking to us.
I feel God’s presence the most when I spend time in prayer and worship. I get off my couch, sing out loud to a few praise and worship songs, and start praying.
As I worship God in praise, it’s like I feel my Spirit come alive. I feel God’s presence and I feel the most close to God during these moments.
And as I pray, I pause and listen for God’s voice. I give God a chance to speak back to me, to see if he is trying to reveal anything through my Spirit.
4) Surround Yourself With the Right People
Surrounding yourself with the right people and community is like a tree being planted in rich soil.
Just like a tree, if it’s planted in the wrong climate, it won’t be able to grow to its full potential.
The atmosphere you surround yourself with is critical for our spiritual growth. While each one of us must attach ourselves to Jesus as the true vine, the people around us will either accelerate or stunt our spiritual growth.

As a Christian, it’s so important to plant yourself in a community of other believers and to accelerate and support your spiritual growth. You want to be surrounded by other people who want to grow big and tall and reach their fullest potential. You don’t want to be surrounded by people who are fine with settling for mediocre growth, or who uproot themselves and move around when times get tough.
You need Christian friends who will still be standing strong with you when times get tough. You need friends who are going to support you during storms if you do start to fall over.
How can you tell if you should be hanging around someone?
The Bible tells us that you can tell a tree by its fruit and that a tree that doesn’t produce fruit will be cut down.
What kind of fruit are they producing in their life? Are they producing any fruit at all? Does their life produce fruit of this world or fruit that glorifies God?
What are their roots attached to? Are they attached to God and his Word?
Pray and ask God for discernment to discern the people that should be in your life. He will reveal their true fruit and show you the people you’re meant to grow with.
And as you surround yourself with a good community to grow in, it’s important to make sure your roots are still attached to Jesus; not to anyone else.
Each one of us needs to rely on Jesus; not on our pastors, our mentors, or our friends who are more spiritually mature than us.
Even as a new Christian, attaching yourself and relying on others for support instead of Jesus can create unhealthy and toxic relationships. Attaching yourself to others does not establish the strong roots you need to stand strong.
God will bring the right community in your life, but make sure your roots are constantly attached to Jesus as your main source of life.
If you are praying for God to bring you new Christian friends, check out this blog post on How to Make Christian Friends & Be a Better Friend.
5) Humble Yourself Before the Lord
Being rooted in Christ means that we cannot do anything apart from him. Jesus is the true vine and to be deeply rooted in Christ, we must admit that we depend on God for everything in our life.
Even when times are good, we cannot try and attach our roots or lay our foundation on something other than Christ.
Humbling yourself before the Lord means admitting that you need him and that you can’t do anything without him. It means being totally dependent on God as the source of everything in your life.
It means making God your #1 priority and realizing that your success in this life comes from him.
And as you live like every part of your life depends on God, he will continue giving you the nutrients you need to grow and bear fruit.
Strong Roots in Jesus
As you root yourself in the Word of God, the love of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, you’ll be able to stand strong and grow into the fullness of God created you to be.
Do You Want to Strengthen Your Roots in Jesus?
If you want to learn how you can strengthen your relationship with God and grow spiritually in different areas, download my free Spiritual Goals Worksheet to identify how you can grow closer to God in ten different areas.
This worksheet will help you identify how you can establish strong roots in Jesus and examples of things you can do each week to become more rooted in Christ.
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With Love,

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QUESTION
How can we be rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17)?
ANSWER
After explaining to the believers at Ephesus the incredible new life that God has given them by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:1—3:13), Paul adds that he prays for them (Ephesians 3:14). Part of Paul’s prayer includes the statement that they are rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17).
Part of Paul’s prayer is this: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith —that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17–19, ESV).
Paul recounts how he is praying for the Ephesians to the God who is the Creator of all of humanity—the One from whom every family on earth derives its name (Ephesians 3:15). This One has the power to fulfill a prayer request, so Paul is emphasizing that this is not an empty prayer, nor is it offered to someone who cannot grant the request. This One has riches and glory—another evidence that God has the power to answer prayer (Ephesians 3:16a). Paul asks this Great One that He would grant the Ephesian believers “to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). Paul understood that God has given His Holy Spirit to every person who has believed in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:13–14), and he understood that the power of God in a person’s life would come through that Holy Spirit within (see 1 Corinthians 12:7). Paul asks that the believers would be strengthened in their inner persons by the Spirit within them.
Paul also recognized that the strengthening he was asking for comes through knowing Christ and His love better (Ephesians 3:19). He is not asking that God do something mystical or miraculous, but that He would allow them to really understand the things of God and of Christ that had already been revealed to them. Paul asks God that they be strengthened in this knowledge but acknowledges that they have already been rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17).
This rooting and grounding in love was something God had already accomplished for the Ephesians (and for all believers), as Paul has explained, especially in Ephesians 1:4–14. As indicated by the verbs errizomenoi (“being rooted”) and tethemeliomenoi (“being grounded”) in Ephesians 3:17 and the perfect passive participle usage of both, God Himself has accomplished our rooting and grounding in love. Because we are rooted and grounded in love, and we have this incredible new life by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), Christ can be at home in our hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:17a).
There is some responsibility on our part, though, as Paul exhorts that we should let the word of Christ dwell richly in us—we should actively be pursuing fellowship with Him through His word. Christ already dwells in us (through His Holy Spirit), and we should allow Him to be at home in us. One of the results of this kind of growth and maturing is that we may be able to comprehend how great is His love—so great, in fact that it surpasses being known, yet Paul prays that we will truly know it (Ephesians 3:18–19).
Because God has rooted and grounded us in His own love, we can live in relationship and fellowship with Him, getting to know His amazing love better each day. That is what Paul is praying for the Ephesians, and that is the richness of our inheritance in God, as He has blessed us also with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). One of those great blessings is the fact that God has rooted and grounded us in His love.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
Ephesians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary by John MacArthur
More insights from your Bible study – Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!
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What Does Ephesians 3:17 Mean? ►
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 3:17(NASB)
Verse Thoughts
Once again – superlatives and fullness flood this passage in Ephesians, identifying the body of believers, “which is the church,” as the temple of God. We are called to be His holy habitation, “so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith.” We are His appointed resting-place, wherein He will dwell, through time and into eternity.
God’s chosen dwelling-seat is the inner being of man’s heart. It is not simply the thinking brain, the imaginative mind, the articulate tongue, or the various senses – it is the inner being of our new nature in Christ.
“That Christ may dwell in your heart through faith,” is Paul’s fervent prayer for each member of the body of Christ. But his prayer continues, “that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length, and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” Hallelujah!
It is the God of gods Who ordained that we should be His dwelling place. It is the Holy Spirit of the anointed Son of God’s love that desires to inhabit this hidden place, deep within the heart of men. It is God’s will that Christ is at home in the heart of each of His children. It is God’s desire that the Spirit of Christ rests and abides in each of us.. as we abide in Him and rest in His love.
It is the most high God to Whom we fly for shelter. It is the Almighty Creator, Who gives us rest in the shadow of His protective wings and Who seeks to establish His home in our inner, secret place. “It is according to the riches of His glory, that we are strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith; and that we are rooted in love and grounded in the love of Christ.”
It is the Spirit of Christ that is to dwell in our heart, as our resident King and eternal Comforter. It is Christ Who is our strong Protector and our good Shepherd. He is the Rock of our salvation and the strong Tower to Whom we flee in troubled times.
He is the One Who convicts us of our need of Him, and draws us with cords of love to drink of the living water. Through Him, we are nourished.. for He is the Bread of Life. He quickens us into newness of life and calls us to be holy, for He is holy. And it is all through faith in Jesus Christ, that we have entered into this unbreakable union with Himself, not only in this age but in the ages to come.
We can also enjoy exquisite communion with Him as we submit to His guidance and listen to His voice. To do so, we are to submerge ourselves deep into the nourishing truth of His Word. Just like the roots of a sturdy oak push down deep into the luscious rich earth to become established, so we are to be rooted and grounded, embedded and established in Him. As the master-builder who constructs His sturdy structure on solid foundations – so we are to build our lives on Christ – the solid Rock, on Whom we stand.
That Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, is a prayer Paul prayed for each of us and a promise that we can claim. And as we personally claim that promise, Paul’s prayer will be answered. We are also commanded to abide in Him, trust His Word, and become rooted and grounded in love. And it is as we immerse ourselves in His Word, walk in spirit and truth, submit our lives to Him, and seek to do His will, that we discover that we are being rooted and grounded in Christ’s supernatural love.
The ultimate reason, and final result of being rooted and established in the indwelling Christ is love…the unbreakable, threefold love of the triune Godhead. Redemptive love was the first thought of the Father when He covered our fallen, guilty parents in the bloody skins of animals in the garden of Eden.. and redemptive love is the reason He convicted us of sin and the need of salvation.
Love is the preeminent, greatest, never-failing first-fruit of the Spirit, against which there is no law. Love for the church was the reason the Lord Jesus went to the Cross of Calvary. And when we are rooted and grounded in Christ we are rooted and grounded in HIS love
Love was one of the reasons that blood and water streamed from His wounded side, and being rooted and grounded in CHRIST’s love was the new commandment entrusted to the body of believers – who are the church, the temple of the living God… for we have been commanded, “Love others as I have loved you.”
Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/ephesians-3-17
Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/ephesians-3-17
Rooted and Grounded in Love (Ephesians 3:17)
Ephesians Bible Study • Study 78
As Christians, our lives are to be rooted and grounded in love—not in an emotion but in God Himself, for He is love. But what does it mean for us to find our stability, security, and survival in Christ?
In this expositional message, Nathan Johnson explores this concept and unpacks what Paul means in Ephesians 3:17—that we should be rooted and grounded in love.
Listen to + Download the Study

Rooted and Grounded in Love (Ephesians 3:17) – Study 78
Episode 78 • 3rd December 2021 • Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson)
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As Christians, our lives are to be rooted and grounded in love—not in an emotion but in God Himself, for He is love. But what does it mean for us to find our stability, security, and survival in Christ?
In this expositional message, Nathan Johnson explores this concept and unpacks what Paul means in Ephesians 3:17—that we should be rooted and grounded in love.
———————
Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 78
Download the study notes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperchristian.com/ephesians-study-078/
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Rooted and Grounded in Love – Ephesians 3:17 (Ephesians Bible Study Series #78)
Key Passage: Ephesians 3:17
Ephesians 3:14-21 – For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
In Our Next Study Together …
I invite you to join me on this journey from the book of Ephesians to discover God’s eternal purpose, His plan for your life, and learn how to practically live out an abundant and fruitful Christian life.
• The focus of our next study: Ephesians 3:17-19
• We discuss the Christian’s primary defining characteristic, which Paul expounds upon in Ephesians 3:17-19.
• I encourage you to read through Ephesians a couple of times this week and focus specifically on Ephesians 3:14-21.
DAILY BIBLE VERSE AND DEVOTION – EPH 3:17-19
Posted on June 25, 2017
This verse is a prayer that Paul had prayed for the Ephesians. He wanted them to begin to understand and to fully comprehend how much God loved them. He knew that if they could get a glimpse of His love that it would make a huge impact on the rest of their spiritual lives.
When you know the love of Christ, it changes everything. It changes how you view others and also how you view yourself. When you get an understanding of God’s love everything is different in your life!
You can pray this prayer over yourself today so that you too would begin to get a revelation of Jesus’ love for you. It’s one thing to know about God’s love and another thing to really know and experience it. That’s what this verse is referring to, a true knowing that you experience.
What does Ephesians 3:17 mean?
Paul famously speaks eloquently of faith, hope, and love at the conclusion of 1 Corinthians 13. Here, he mentions two of these attributes. First, his desire in this passage is for growth in faith, rather than knowledge, though both are important. Ephesians 2:22 also used the idea of a “dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Paul similarly taught the Colossians, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16).
Second, Paul prays his readers will be secure in their reliance on love. The imagery is that of a tree held strongly by deep roots (Matthew 13:6, 21; 15:13; Mark 4:17). Love, especially shown between fellow Christians, is meant to be the hallmark of our faith (John 13:34–35). Love is likewise meant to keep the Christian grounded, staying in place with Christ and growing us to maturity. Colossians 2:7 speaks similarly of being “rooted and built up in him and established in the faith.”
Context Summary
Ephesians 3:14–21 is a prayer from Paul on behalf of the Christians of Ephesus. This prayer begins a transition from the first half of his letter, focused on doctrinal ideas, to the second half, where those ideas are put into practice. The natural theme for this transition is an appeal for spiritual strength from God. In particular, Paul asks God to help the Ephesians exhibit a faith which goes beyond knowledge (doctrine) into action (application).
Chapter Summary
Ephesians chapter 3 wraps up Paul’s doctrinal teaching and introduces its practical application. Paul refers to both his imprisonment and to his spiritual calling. This calling includes proclaiming the fact that all people, Jew and Gentile, can now be part of the same spiritual family. Paul also prays for the spiritual strength of the Ephesian church, as he prepares to explain how knowledge about Christ should translate into living for Christ.
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