An Exegetical Study of `εἰς` in Ephesians 3:19
This exegetical study of An Exegetical Study of `εἰς` in Ephesians 3:19 is based on a b-greek discussion from Saturday, May 8, 2004. The initial inquiry expresses surprise regarding the translations of Ephesians 3:19 by the ESV and NRSV, which render the final clause εἰς πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ Θεοῦ as “with all the fullness of God.” This interpretation is noted as being supported by BDAG under the entry for πλήρωμα.
The core exegetical problem revolves around the semantic range and function of the preposition εἰς when used in conjunction with the verb πληρόω (to fill) in the passive voice (πληρωθῆτε). The question is whether εἰς in this context indicates the content with which one is filled (translating as ‘with’), or rather the measuring point, goal, or extent to which one is to be filled (translating as ‘unto’ or ‘to the full measure of’). This distinction significantly impacts the understanding of the believer’s spiritual growth and relationship with God’s divine attributes.
γνῶναι τε τὴν ὑπερβάλλουσαν τῆς γνώσεως ἀγάπην τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἵνα πληρωθῆτε εἰς πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ Θεοῦ.
(Nestle 1904)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- The Nestle 1904 text (as typically reconstructed from the provided original content) contains no comma before ἵνα, whereas the SBLGNT (2010) includes a comma at this point: Χριστοῦ, ἵνα. This is a punctuation difference and does not alter the lexical or grammatical meaning of the text.
Textual Criticism and Lexical Notes
Textual Criticism (NA28): For Ephesians 3:19, the NA28 critical apparatus does not record any significant textual variants that would impact the interpretation of the preposition εἰς or the verb πληρόω. The Greek text for this verse is notably stable across manuscripts.
Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG):
- BDAG (Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, Danker, *A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature*, 3rd ed.):
- Under πληρόω (to fill), BDAG primarily describes usages of “to cause to be full of” (often with genitive or ἐν + dative) or “to fill up so that nothing is wanting.” When discussing Ephesians 3:19 specifically, BDAG’s entry for πλήρωμα (fullness, completeness) is particularly relevant. It defines πλήρωμα in this context as “that which fills or completes something… completeness, fullness.” Under sense 3.b.γ, it notes for Eph 3:19: “to cause to experience something fully… ἵνα πληρωθῆτε εἰς πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ θεοῦ that you may be filled to the full measure of God.” While acknowledging other translations like “with all the fullness of God,” this primary rendering emphasizes the extent or goal of the filling.
- For εἰς, BDAG provides an extensive range of meanings, including “into, in, toward, to, for, unto.” Crucially, it lists usages expressing goal, purpose, or result (A.II.2.a.β), and also measure or extent (A.II.1.d.α), translated as “up to the limit of, to the extent of.” While εἰς can sometimes approach the sense of ἐν (in, with), particularly for location or state (A.I.1.b), its primary force in relation to verbs of filling usually points to a goal or outcome rather than the direct content.
- KITTEL (G. Kittel, G. Friedrich, *Theological Dictionary of the New Testament*):
- The entry for πληρόω / πλήρωμα (Vol. VI, pp. 283ff) discusses the concept of “filling” both literally and figuratively, and “completion” or “fulfillment.” In Ephesians, πλήρωμα is often linked with Christ as the fullness of God (Eph 1:23) and the church as His body. For Ephesians 3:19, Kittel highlights the profound theological implication of being “filled with God’s fullness,” suggesting a comprehensive appropriation of divine life, power, and character. This perspective tends to underscore the content—God Himself—as that which fills the believer. However, the nuance of this “filling” can still be understood as reaching a divine standard or measure.
In synthesis, while Kittel emphasizes the theological reality of being permeated by God’s fullness, BDAG’s specific analysis of Ephesians 3:19, along with its broader treatment of εἰς, strongly supports the interpretation of the preposition indicating extent or goal (“to the full measure of God”), rather than simply the content “with which” one is filled.
Translation Variants and Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The final clause of Ephesians 3:19, ἵνα πληρωθῆτε εἰς πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ Θεοῦ, presents a significant interpretive challenge regarding the function of εἰς. Grammatically, the clause begins with ἵνα introducing a purpose or result clause, and πληρωθῆτε is an aorist passive subjunctive of πληρόω, meaning “that you may be filled.” The prepositional phrase εἰς πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ Θεοῦ then specifies the nature of this filling.
Grammatical and Rhetorical Analysis:
- Interpretation as “with” (Content): Translations like “with all the fullness of God” (ESV, NRSV) interpret εἰς as indicating the content *by which* or *with which* the subject is filled. This implies a saturation of the believer with God’s essential being, attributes, or spiritual blessings. While εἰς can occasionally denote means or content, it is less common for direct “filling with” in the same way a genitive or ἐν + dative might be used (e.g., Luke 1:15, πνεύματος ἁγίου πλησθήσεται, “he will be filled with the Holy Spirit” – using genitive). Proponents of this view might argue it is an idiomatic expression conveying a profound indwelling. Rhetorically, this emphasizes God’s active presence and comprehensive indwelling in the believer.
- Interpretation as “unto” / “to the extent of” (Goal/Measure): This interpretation, favored by the initial inquiry’s comparison to Ephesians 4:13 and the subsequent discussion, understands εἰς as indicating the goal, standard, or ultimate measure of the filling. The believer is to be filled *up to* the standard or measure of God’s complete fullness. This aligns well with εἰς denoting purpose, goal, or result, and particularly extent (e.g., Eph 4:13: εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον, εἰς μέτρον ἡλικίας τοῦ πληρώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ, “unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”). The inclusion of πᾶν (“all” or “every”) further reinforces the idea of totality and a comprehensive standard, suggesting a full, unrestrained reaching towards this divine ideal. Rhetorically, this interpretation emphasizes a dynamic process of spiritual growth and maturation towards a divine standard, rather than a static state of mere infilling. The exhortation is to fully embody the character and presence of God to the greatest possible extent. The analogy to “Be all that you can be” from the original discussion aptly captures this sense of striving towards a full potential measured by God’s own completeness.
Given the grammatical patterns of εἰς elsewhere in Ephesians (e.g., 4:13, 4:15), where it consistently denotes a goal, standard, or extent of growth and maturity, the latter interpretation holds stronger contextual and grammatical support. The believer is not merely filled *with* God, but is to be filled *to the measure of* God’s complete and perfect fullness.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
Based on the grammatical analysis, the semantic range of εἰς in Ephesians, and the emphasis within the broader context of Ephesians on spiritual growth and maturity, the interpretation of εἰς as indicating extent, goal, or measure is the most robust. While theologically being filled *with* God’s essence is a reality, the preposition εἰς here points more precisely to the *standard* or *measure* of that filling—a total, comprehensive fullness mirroring God’s own completeness.
Three possible translation suggestions are:
- “that you may be filled to the full measure of God.”
This translation emphasizes the ultimate standard and goal of the believer’s spiritual experience, echoing the idea of reaching a complete and perfect likeness to God’s own fullness. - “that you may be completely filled unto all the fullness of God.”
This option highlights both the totality of the filling (completely filled) and the divine standard or goal (unto all the fullness of God), presenting the fullness as both the destination and the desired state. - “that you may be filled, corresponding to the whole fullness of God.”
This rendering uses corresponding to to convey the idea of measure or standard, implying that the believer’s filling should align perfectly with the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of God’s fullness.