Ephesians 1:15-23
Thus far we have learned at least six specific requests we can pray to God on behalf of others and ourselves. These requests are:
- That believers may be strengthened with His power on the inner man. (Eph. 3:16)
- That believers may be able to grasp the immensity of the love of God for them. (Eph. 3:17)
- That believers would mature to the place of Christlikeness. (Eph. 3:19)
- That God will enable believers to love others as they should. (1 Thess. 3:12-13)
- That unbelievers will come to Christ for salvation and the nations of the earth hear the message of the Gospel. (Romans 10:1)
- That believers will be motivated by love to make the best choices possible and be the best people possible.
In the opening verses of Ephesians (1:15-23), Paul is praying for believers to be “enlightened” with “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” When Paul speaks here of “knowledge” (1:17), he has an Old Testament understanding of its definition or explanation. This word conveys the idea of a complete, full and intimate knowledge gained through our relationship with God, as well as in our experiences with Him.
We can say that we know one of our former presidents, even though we have never met him or interacted with him in any personal way. Because we know some details, have read his biography, or familiarized ourselves with his policy decisions...we might even tell others that we know this particular president. However, when we talk about knowing our children or spouses, we are speaking of a much higher (more intimate) knowledge that is enhanced through the relationship and experiences we share together.
It is this growing, experiential knowledge that Paul prays for believers to enjoy with God as He makes Himself known to them (“revelation”) and they understand (“wisdom”) how to use the knowledge they gain.
There are three areas in which Paul wants this knowledge of God to increase so people can experience and appreciate Him more.
First, He prays for them to “know the hope of their calling.” Our personal salvation is the result of God calling us to Himself. Apart from that none of us would have ever been saved. And, when we respond to His call in faith, He gives to us a “hope” that can never be taken away. “Hope” is not the wishful thinking that is commonly thought of as the definition for the word today. This Greek word describes a “hope” that is absolute certainty believers will be victorious in the end!! This is a “hope” that we presently possess, but does not see its ultimate fulfilment until we reach Heaven (cf. Romans 8:24-25).
“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven…” (Colossians 1:3-5)
It’s important that we remember we are only pilgrims passing through this life and our citizenship is in Heaven. It is there that our “hope” rests when we experience all that He has prepared for His own. This “hope” is precisely what we did not have as unbelievers and that we so desperately needed (cf. Ephesians 2:12).
Second, Paul prays that believers will know the “riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Be careful to note that he is not talking here about the inheritance that is ours because we belong to Jesus Christ (cf. 1:11, 14). It is true that all God’s children are blessed to be “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17) and that alone is an astounding truth enjoyed only because of His grace.
This “inheritance” that belongs to Christ (“in the saints”) consists of all that know Him personally in salvation. In other words, we are, as the people of God, the “inheritance” that is His.
When we consider that, though forgiven, we still possess vestiges of our sinful nature with which we daily struggle, this is an astounding statement about God’s grace. We are Christ’s treasured possession. And, the reason we are treasured is that as believers we are “in Christ” and that is how God sees us all as His children.
For all eternity we will be viewed as trophies of God’s grace. Even the angels will marvel at the manifold wisdom of God in bestowing His grace on the saints.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:4-10)
“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Ephesians 3:8-11 ESV)
“This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.” (1 Peter 1:10-12 NLT)
And, because we are His “inheritance,” we know with absolute certainty that we will live with Him forever. Without question, as His “inheritance,” we will be removed from this sinful earth in the final day and we will forever be His glorious inheritance. Our glorious Father (1:17), because of His glorious grace (1:6), will undeniably have His glorious inheritance (1:18).
Third, Paul prayed that believers would know the “exceeding greatness of His (God’s) power” toward us because we “believe.” In this verse Paul uses four Greek synonyms (“power”-dunamis, “working”-energia, “mighty”-ichus, “power”-kratos-1:19) to describe God’s omnipotent power. He does this to emphasize that His power is unconquerable and unassailable. This is the power that is in us because of the presence of Christ, as well as the power by which we face our enemies (cf. Ephesians 6:10).
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
You and I might have chosen to speak of God’s power by pointing to creation, but Paul points to Christ’s resurrection, ascension and dominion (over creation & the church)...to illustrate His power (Ephesians 1:20-23). There is nothing outside of the control and power of the Almighty God! We need fear nothing, because His power is greater than all we face. His power secures us as His “inheritance” and not our own power. What He has promised to do He is powerful to accomplish and bring to completion.
It’s as we begin to grasp these truths that we start enjoying a deeper and fuller walk with God. Thus, Paul prayed that believers would be able to comprehend these three truths: 1. The hope of His calling, 2. The riches of His inheritance, and 3. The power of His presence.
What we need is to know God more fully/experientially as He makes Himself known to us! We need to see Who He is and what He has done! Only then can we fully appreciate Him and bring glory to Him.
How unfortunate for us if we don’t know God the way He wants us to know Him!!
(2 Kings 25:4-7; Jeremiah 39:5-7; 52:8-11) King Zedekiah was king of Judah when Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, captured Him. In Zedekiah’s presence he killed all his sons and then he gouged out his eyes. He was led to the great city of Babylon, but he was never able to see all the riches and beauty of that city because he was blind. How many of us are blinded to the greatness of our God and His unfathomable riches that are bestowed upon us through His Son, Jesus Christ?
We need to pray like Elisha prayed (2 Kings 6:10-23) when he was surrounded by the army of Syria in the city of Dothan and his servant was frightened (2 Kings 6:15-16). He prayed to God on behalf of his servant, “open his eyes that he may see” and the servant saw a spiritual army greater than the Syrian army.
We must ask God to open our eyes, “enlighten” our “understanding,” and fill us with “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (God).” (Ephesians 1:17-18)
Let’s pray:
- That believers might be spiritually enlightened so that they may know God more fully and intimately in their daily lives.
Where did I see God today?
