Prayer For Knowledge And Power

Topic: Understanding
Passage: Ephesians 1:15–23

February 13, 2020

Commentary

Faith and love are two great words. Paul commends the Ephesian Christians for their “faith” in the Lord and their “love” for all the saints (v. 15). Because of their spiritual growth, both as individuals and as a church body he goes on to say how he was rejoicing and giving thanks for them (v.16). He  says that he prays for them continually that they may know God better (v. 17). Paul realized that these Christians in Ephesus could have possibly passed an examination on the doctrine involved but they had lost sight of it in their hearts. He prays specifically that their understanding will be opened with hope, riches and power.

  1. The Hope of God’s calling (v. 18). The believers in Ephesus had difficulty accepting the fact that their salvation was secure in Christ. Like some Christians today, they were not really sure if they were going to end up in heaven or because of some mistake along the way they may be eternally separated from God. Paul wanted them to know that their eternal destiny was guaranteed by what Christ had done and not on what they might do.
  2. The Riches of God’s Inheritance (v. 18). Perhaps the Church in Ephesus was not very many in number and people would see them as a very insignificant group. Paul wanted  them to know that even the humblest believer was very important in God’s sight. If these believers really understood the riches of their glorious inheritance, they could have hope.
  3. The Greatness of God’s Power (vv. 19-23). A Christian’s hope and inheritance is not based on human effort. Paul wants them to know that their reservoir of power is in the Lord. This divine power was demonstrated when the Father raised Jesus from the dead (v. 20). As a Christian we can be confident that God is in control of everything. We don’t need to fear any dictator or nation or even Satan himself.

Application

I not only need to know the Word of God but an understanding of the riches of His grace.

Ephesians 1:15– 23 (NET)

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you when I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of him, 18 —since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened —so that you can know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength. 20 This power he exercised in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms 21 far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and gave him to the church as head over all things. 23 Now the church is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.