John Calvin Commentary Ephesians 3:18

"may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth," — Ephesians 3:18 (ASV)

May be able to comprehend. The second fruit is that the Ephesians should perceive the greatness of Christ’s love for humanity. Such an apprehension or knowledge springs from faith. By desiring that they should comprehend it with all saints, he shows that it is the most excellent blessing that they can obtain in the present life; that it is the highest wisdom to which all the children of God aspire.

What follows is sufficiently clear in itself, but has until now been darkened by a variety of interpretations. Augustine is quite delighted with his own acuteness, which throws no light on the subject. Attempting to discover some kind of mysterious allusion to the figure of the cross, he makes the breadth to be love, — the height, hope, — the length, patience, and the depth, humility.

This is very ingenious and entertaining; but what has it to do with Paul’s meaning? Not more, certainly, than the opinion of Ambrose, that the allusion is to the figure of a sphere. Laying aside the views of others, I shall state what will be universally acknowledged to be the simple and true meaning.