Study of Ephesians

Week 4

 

Ephesians 1:15-23

 

Paul, while imprisoned, began his letter to the Ephesians with a song of praise. As we learned, in these twelve verses (Ephesians 1:3-14), he rejoiced in those who were chosen, redeemed, and sealed.  

 

But Paul did not end the chapter there. He closes Ephesians 1 with a powerful prayer, a prayer challenging the Ephesians, and us, to take hold of all that God has provided for us.

His petition is broken up into three sections.

First, he encourages them in Ephesians 1:15-16.  Here, he addresses them as “saints.”

Today when we refer to someone as a saint, it is usually because they are a good person. However, this word in the Greek means, “the likeness of nature with the Lord.”(1)  No, Paul does not use that word lightly, “the likeness of nature with the Lord.”

He praised them by saying, “I have heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints.” This indicates to us that the saving message of Jesus Christ was apparently welcomed and growing within the churches of Ephesus.

Then he goes on to say that “he does not cease giving thanks” for them as he prays.

  

Next, Paul intercedes for them. “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe…” Ephesians 1:18-19  

Paul is praying that the ‘eyes of the (reader’s) heart would be enlightened.”

Here, I must address a current, yet dangerous practice of some even today. This verse is relating to our spiritual eyes, that they would be opened as evidenced by His truth continuing to be revealed to us as believers.  This is not referring to a metaphysical practice of an evil eye, or a philosophical movement where some would claim to be working toward a higher spiritual awareness. This thinking is not consistent with   Christian theology where we gain power or salvation from any other name other than Christ. (Acts 4:12)

 

Paul also prays that we would “know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance.” It has been said that the glory of a light bulb is to illuminate, to shine. It is in this context that Paul is using this phrase, “the riches of the glory of His inheritance.” What are those riches?  He shared the foundational riches with us at the beginning of his letter. As part of our spiritual inheritance, our Father chose us, His Son, Jesus, redeemed us, and His Spirit seals us for all eternity!  Every believer’s heart can rejoice, glory, with the truth of that good news!  Paul is challenging us to know, experientially, the riches of that truth and live it out every day!

 

Then Paul ends the second section of his prayer with this, that we would know the “surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe…”  That, my friends, is the result of our walk of faith!  “Power” in the Greek is “dunamis”, from which we derive our word “dynamite” today. It means, “deeds showing power, marvelous works, powerful deeds.”(2)   Quite simply, as we walk in Him, we see and experience His power working in us, through us and through others who name Christ as their Savior. It is His“surpassing greatness” that we believe for, that we should live out and the very things we hope for through faith! 

 

The last section of Paul’s prayer magnifies Christ as ruler over all. (Ephesians 1:20-23)

He is seated at the right hand of the Father in heavenly places.

He is far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion.

His name is above every name, “not only in this age, but also in the one to come.”

All things are put in subjection under His feet. All things.

He is the head of the Church. (The first instance this phrase is used describing the role of Christ.)

There are parts of scripture that refer to a one-time event, a story, where God’s power and love is made evident: the stories of Moses, Noah, Joshua, and many more.  However, in this prayer, Paul declares and reveals to us the greatness of God toward us who believe. How glorious that we can, even today, be lead and strengthened by the power and truth of this passage.

His Word never changes and can be appropriated in our lives today!

Footnotes:

(1-2) Ephesians 1:15-23 Lexicon, Biblehub.com, accessed January 2022, https://biblehub.com/lexicon/ephesians/1-15.htm

 

Question for discussion (your email is never shared or posted)

Referring to Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, and consequently for us, which phrase stands out to you the most?