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Eph 3:18. Ἐν ἀγάπῃ, in love) of Christ: Eph 3:19, note.-ἐῤῥιζωμένοι καὶ τεθεμελιωμένοι, rooted and founded [grounded]) The root is, of a tree-the foundation, of a house. A Syllepsis[49] precedes, which must thus be explained: that you may have Christ dwelling in you, being rooted, comp. Col 2:2, note; unless the Nominative rather agrees with you may be able,[50] as the ardour of Paul was eagerly intent on what follows. So, in the middle of the sentence, if and how are placed, 1Co 11:14-15; 1Co 14:7; 1Co 14:16; and ἵνα itself, that, 1Co 14:12;[51] 2Co 2:4; but the words which precede these particles render the earnest striving [of his prayers] very emphatic.-ἘΞΙΣΧΎΣΗΤΕ) you may be able: even still further.-καταλαβέσθαι) to attain, to comprehend.-τί τὸ πλάτος καὶ μῆκος καὶ βάθος καὶ ὕψος, what is the breadth and length and depth and height) These dimensions of the spiritual temple refer to the fulness of God, Eph 3:19, to which the Church according to its capacity ought to correspond; comp. ch. Eph 4:10; Eph 4:13, concerning Christ. For the breadth of the fulness and of the love of Christ is signified, and that too in respect of all men and all peoples; and its length, extending through all ages, Eph 3:21 : as also its depth, which no creature can fathom; and its height, Eph 4:8, such as no enemy can reach. Comp. Psalms 117. In regard to this breadth, length, depth, height, all which are one magnitude, there is nothing broad, long, deep, high in any creature. By Chiasmus the order of the ideas is, love [Eph 3:17], breadth [length, depth, height, Eph 3:18]: [then in Eph 3:19] love, fulness; of these four, the third corresponds to the first, therefore the second to the fourth. In Eph 3:19 the love is at length expressly mentioned; but in Eph 3:18 the fulness of God in itself; but this very fulness is also tinctured with love.
[49] A syllepsis is when the regular syntax of the parts of the sentence is set aside, so that more regard in the construction is paid to the sense, in the mind of the writer, than to the words and their connection. As here the nom. ἐῤῥιζωμένοι is put as if the sentence were, “that you may have Christ dwelling in your heart, etc., you being rooted,” etc. As the sentence stands, syntax would require ἐῤῥιζωμένων to agree with ὑμῶν. I think there is attraction exercised by the ἐξισχύσητε, as if ἐῤῥιζ, were agreeing with its subject.-ED.
[50] The margin of both Ed. favours this connection of the words, and the Germ. Vers. agrees with it.-E. B.
[51] Οἰκοδομὴν ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε, for ζητ, ἵνα περισς, ἐν οἰκοδομῇ. So here ἐῤῥιζωμένοι ἵνα ἐξιοχύσητε, for ἵνα ἐῤῥιζωμένοι ἐξισχ.-ED.