Ephesians 1:15-23
In the first fourteen verses of Ephesians Paul writes about how we are rich in Christ. Warren Wiersbe reminds us that "this is not enough, for we must grow in our understanding of our riches if we are ever going to use them to the glory of God."
Paul writes that he had heard of the faith of the church at Ephesus and he rejoiced over this. While faith and love are the two main components of the Christian life, "Paul knew that (they) were just the beginning." (WW) And like the Ephesians, we need to know more. "This is why (Paul) prayed for them, and for us. (WW)
Warren Wiersbe begins the discussion of this passage by explaining two facts about the request for "enlightenment" by Paul. First, "enlightenment comes from the Holy Spirit. . . The Holy Spirit reveals truth to us from the Word, and then gives us the wisdom to understand and apply it. He also gives us the power. . . to practice the truth. Second, this enlightenment comes to the heart of the believer. . . The heart means the inner man, and includes the emotions, the mind, and the will. . . The inability to see and understand spiritual things is not the fault of the intelligence but of the heart. The eyes of the heart must be opened by the Spirit of God."
Paul began his prayer by asking that we would know God (vv. 17b). "This, of course, is the highest knowledge possible." (WW) Upon receiving salvation, we then have the goal of growing in our knowledge of God. "Since we are made in the image of God, the better we know God, the better we know ourselves and each other. . . and the more satisfying our spiritual lives will be." (WW)
Next Paul prays that we might know God's calling (v. 18a). We are called by God's grace and not by any act that we have done. It was important to Paul that we understand that the hope we have in Christ is not from our works, but is the free gift of God. "The hope that belongs to our calling should be a dynamic force in our lives, encouraging us to be pure, obedient, and faithful. The fact that we shall one day see Christ and be like Him should motivate us to live like Christ today." (WW)
Paul continues in his prayer to ask that we would know God's riches (v. 18b). We are considered part of God's riches and God will get the glory for all that He has invested in us.
Lastly, Paul desired that we would know God's power (vv. 19-23). "We Christians need power for several reasons. To begin with, by nature we are too weak to appreciate and appropriate this wealth, and to use it as we should. . . God's power enables us to use God's wealth." (WW) Also, "there are enemies who want to rob us of our wealth. We could never defeat these spiritual foes in our own power, but we can through the Spirit's power." (WW)
We see God's power in the resurrection of Jesus. As believers, we are a part of Christ's body. Jesus is the spiritual head and we are united to Him through the Holy Spirit. "This means that we share His resurrection, ascension, and exaltation." (WW)
"Will Paul's prayer be answered in your life? Will you, starting today, begin to know by experience God - God's calling - God's riches - and God's power?" (WW)
Paul writes that he had heard of the faith of the church at Ephesus and he rejoiced over this. While faith and love are the two main components of the Christian life, "Paul knew that (they) were just the beginning." (WW) And like the Ephesians, we need to know more. "This is why (Paul) prayed for them, and for us. (WW)
Warren Wiersbe begins the discussion of this passage by explaining two facts about the request for "enlightenment" by Paul. First, "enlightenment comes from the Holy Spirit. . . The Holy Spirit reveals truth to us from the Word, and then gives us the wisdom to understand and apply it. He also gives us the power. . . to practice the truth. Second, this enlightenment comes to the heart of the believer. . . The heart means the inner man, and includes the emotions, the mind, and the will. . . The inability to see and understand spiritual things is not the fault of the intelligence but of the heart. The eyes of the heart must be opened by the Spirit of God."
Paul began his prayer by asking that we would know God (vv. 17b). "This, of course, is the highest knowledge possible." (WW) Upon receiving salvation, we then have the goal of growing in our knowledge of God. "Since we are made in the image of God, the better we know God, the better we know ourselves and each other. . . and the more satisfying our spiritual lives will be." (WW)
Next Paul prays that we might know God's calling (v. 18a). We are called by God's grace and not by any act that we have done. It was important to Paul that we understand that the hope we have in Christ is not from our works, but is the free gift of God. "The hope that belongs to our calling should be a dynamic force in our lives, encouraging us to be pure, obedient, and faithful. The fact that we shall one day see Christ and be like Him should motivate us to live like Christ today." (WW)
Paul continues in his prayer to ask that we would know God's riches (v. 18b). We are considered part of God's riches and God will get the glory for all that He has invested in us.
Lastly, Paul desired that we would know God's power (vv. 19-23). "We Christians need power for several reasons. To begin with, by nature we are too weak to appreciate and appropriate this wealth, and to use it as we should. . . God's power enables us to use God's wealth." (WW) Also, "there are enemies who want to rob us of our wealth. We could never defeat these spiritual foes in our own power, but we can through the Spirit's power." (WW)
We see God's power in the resurrection of Jesus. As believers, we are a part of Christ's body. Jesus is the spiritual head and we are united to Him through the Holy Spirit. "This means that we share His resurrection, ascension, and exaltation." (WW)
"Will Paul's prayer be answered in your life? Will you, starting today, begin to know by experience God - God's calling - God's riches - and God's power?" (WW)
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