I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-4
A. Paul blessed God for blessing us with every spiritual blessing 1:3-14
1. Specially Chosen 1:4
2. Purposefully Adopted 1:5-6
3. Freely Redeemed and Forgiven 1:7-8a
4. Spiritually Enlightened 1:8b-10
5. Surely Deemed God’s Inheritance 1:11-12
6. Securely Sealed 1:13-14
B. Paul prayed for their enlightenment 1:15-23
Paul spent considerable time in prayer. The Bible records more of Paul’s prayer life than that of Jesus. Much can be learned by studying Paul’s prayers. Here is one of two powerful prayers in Ephesians. Just as 3-14 are one sentence, so 15-23 are one sentence.
1. Motivation: He prayed when he heard of their faith and love 1:15
There are actually two possible motivations for Paul to invest significant time to prayer for the Ephesians. First we key in on “for this reason”. Either the phrase refers to something he will immediately cite as a reason for the prayer or it touches on something he mentioned earlier.
If he refers to what he has just previously been talking about, he prays because he wants them to more deeply understand the wonder of the blessings his just detailed. If he looks ahead, he prays because of this gratitude for the manifestation of genuine life change among them.
having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints 1:15
Paul was thankful for the report of the Ephesians walk. That is perhaps the whole purpose of writing the letter. Yes, there were issues i.e. lying, stealing, anger, negative talk, relational breakdowns. But Paul chose to focus on the positive. Paul practiced his own definition of love in 1 Cor 13 (look for the best minimize the worst). He was impressed with their daily faith and trust in the Lord. Their daily trust in Jesus had become obvious not only to Paul but to others as well (“I too”). He not only acknowledged their daily trust in Jesus but their love for each other. The love of Jesus was not just shown to select people but to “all the saints”.
“Saint” is a common and favorite name Paul uses to describe genuine followers of Jesus.
It refers to those who are “holy ones, specially set apart for relationship”.
2. Attitude: He prayed with thanks giving 1:16
Thoughts about the Ephesians inspired thanksgiving to God. Thanksgiving is frequently coupled with prayer in the Bible. Paul’s thanksgiving was coupled with his petitions for the Ephesians. I like this portrayal of prayer – “making mention”. Prayer for others is making mention, talking to God about others. Satan gets nervous when we talk to men about God but even more nervous when we talk to God about men.
3. Frequency: He prayed continually 1:16
Not only did those thoughts inspire thanksgiving but continual thanksgiving.
“do not cease giving thanks”
The verb tenses plus the words indicate a continual practice. This is not the only place Paul refers to the frequency his prayer. Rom 1:9; Phil 1:3-4; Col 1:3; 1 Thes 1:2;
Scripture calls all Christians to a regular prayer life.
"Pray without ceasing" 1 Thes 5:17
"Be devoted to prayer" Rom 12:12
"Pray at all times in the spirit with all perseverance for all the saints" Eph 6:18
“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” Col 4:2
Also Luke 18:1; 1 Pet 4:7
4. Request: God would give a deeper knowledge of Himself 1:17
Paul offered a specific request with several parts. The core of his request is that the people would come to a deeper knowledge of God.
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. Ephesians 1:17
The “making mention” had to do with a request for fuller knowledge of God. He asked God to give them a “spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” He earlier acknowledged the blessing of wisdom and knowledge offered by God. Here he asks for a full assimilation of that knowledge. Even though this word used here is the same word used for Holy Spirit, I don’t think he is asking that. They already had the Holy Spirit. He is asking for a general breeze or wind of wisdom (applied knowledge) and revelation (increased knowledge).
It has the meaning of “a disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of anyone.”
We sometimes use the word “spirit” in this general sense. We mean a demeanor or temperament that affects how we live our life. Spirit of arrogance, graceful spirit, gentle spirit, youthful spirit. It is a reference to one’s nature. He is asking for greater understanding concerning God’s person, purpose and presence.
Gal 6:1 refers to a “spirit of gentleness”.
Rom 815 refers to a “spirit of slavery”.
Paul asks God to give these believers a life disposition of wisdom and revelation regarding the knowledge of God. It is similar to his request that the Colossians be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. He used an intensified word for knowledge that indicates a fuller understanding or discernment or recognition.
It refers to exact, complete, experiential knowledge, not just abstract knowledge of God or even facts about Him
Similar requests appear all through the New Testament because it is the core of our walk.
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God Colossians 1:9-10
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:2-3
The pattern is unmistakable. Such a knowledge was Paul’s ultimate passion (Phil 3:10). How would people characterize our nature? Are we satisfied with what we know of God or is there an internal drive to know more?
5. Details: He prayed for enlightened eyes 1:18-23
the eyes of your heart having been enlightened
This permeation of the knowledge of God is preceded by a Spirit generated enlightening.
Although most translations break this into a new sentence it is connected to the previous request by the use of a perfect tense participle (“ing” word). The God-given spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him comes about from an enlightening (the eyes of your heart having been enlightened.) The heart was considered the core of our being.
God brings light to a dark heart. Later Paul talks about our transfer from darkness to light.
Here he refers to an enlightening of our perceptions. This enlightening results in a “spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. To enlighten is to illume, make light, make to see. Paul used a perfect tense verb indicating an enlightening happening in the past that continues into the future. There are three specific issues Paul prays will become clear in their thinking. How do we know if we have been granted a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him? When an intuitive knowledge of these three things directs our thinking and behaving. The enlightening results in knowledge of these three things which in turn becomes our nature. The core of the prayer is for a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
It happens through…
Enlightening of the eyes of our heart
Leading to a knowledge of His calling, His inheritance and His power
Resulting in a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him
Paul focused on three things about God; His calling, His inheritance and His power and might.
a. Know the hope of His calling
He wants us to know the hope that comes from understanding His calling. Calling is not a complicated concept. The term means any sort of invitation, call or summons.
The importance of a call depends on who is calling and to what we have been called.
Invitation to a party or celebration
Summons to jury duty
Invitation to a job or promotion
A pastor is called into ministry or to a church
In this case it is a call from none other than the God of the universe. The New Testament focus mostly on a special calling for a heavenly purpose.
There are three basic ideas communicated by this word call in the New Testament.
1. General calling or invitation extended to any who will respond.
2. More specific calling to eternal life and benefits
I Tim 6:12 "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called"
Rom 8:28 All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Rom 8:30 "whom he predestined, these He also called: and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
Rev 17:14 "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."
3. A call to a particular ministry.
The benefits of God’s call
• We are sons of the living God by His calling
And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles. As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.' " Romans 9:23-25
• We are saints by His calling not conduct
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: 1 Corinthians 1:2
• We share in the glory of Christ by His calling 1Pet 5:10
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
• We are justified and glorified on the basis of His calling Rom 8:30
and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
• We are guaranteed that everything will work to our good because of His calling Rom 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
• We are guaranteed eternal inheritance
And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. HEB 9:15
• We are called into His kingdom and glory
so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 1Thes 2:12
• We are hopeful because of His calling Eph 1:18; 4:4
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; Ephesians 4:4
• We are secure in His calling
Rom 11:29 the gifts and the CALLING of God are IRREVOCABLE!
Heb 9:15 Christ is the mediator that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
I Pet 5:10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
1Th 5:24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
The Purpose of His calling
* Called by God into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord 1Cor 1:9
God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Our relationship (fellowship) with Jesus Christ is a result and privilege of our calling.
* Called to freedom Gal 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Freedom to now live according to design and not according to drives.
Freedom to truly love others rather than manipulate for our own purposes
Caution to not turn our freedom into opportunity for selfishness of the flesh
* Called to peace and unity in the body of Christ Col 3:15
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
* Called in sanctification (purity) not for impurity 1Thes 4:7
For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.
God has called us to be special people who live distinct lives in the world. He has not called us to practice impurity. In this regard we are to abstain from sexual immorality and conduct our life in sanctification and honor not in lustful passion as if there were no God. To reject this call is to reject God who gave His HOLY Spirit to us.
* Called to gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ 2Th 2:14
And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
* Called to eternal life 1Tim 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
* Called to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness 1Pet 2:9
1PE 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
* Called to respond to suffering like Jesus 1 Pet 2:21
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
* Called to inherit and give a blessing 1Pet 3:9
not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
Paul wants us to contemplate and understand the significance of the fact that the God of the universe called your number. What does contemplation of that fact inspire?
Response to our calling
• Walk a walk worthy of our calling
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, Ephesians 4:1
so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.1TH 2:12
• Live a holy life like our Heavenly Father
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." 1 Peter 1:14-16
• Hope of glory
b. Know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
“the glory of His inheritance in the saints” Ephesians 1:18
We addressed this wonderful fact earlier. God considers us a valuable and glorious inheritance; a people for His own possession.
c. Know the surpassing greatness of His power and might toward us
and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.
Later Paul references a glorious power working “within us who believe”. Here it is a power and might exercised “toward us”. God has manifested a spiritual power on our behalf.
The following verses give us some idea of the kind of power He is talking about.
According to the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all 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. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:19-23
Paul uses four terms for power. “Power”, “working”, “strength”, “might”.
The power that God directs into our life is the same power He directed toward His own Son.
It is the power that raised Jesus from the dead – power over death.
It is the same power that raised Jesus to His right hand – Power over people and governments
He rules over all authority and people now and forever.
“And every name that is named” makes sure no one is left out he does not rule.
Military term to put under the command of
It is the same power that subjected everything to Jesus – power over creation.
It is the same power that made Jesus head over the church – energizing power (fills all in all).
Paul prays that we understand the wonder, the surpassing greatness of the power that God exhibited when He saved us and raised up. He details this glorious transformation further in chapter 2 where we are made alive, raised up and seated with Christ in the heavenlies; brought near, we energize one another.
I used to think this was power for living the Christian life here, but the context dictates that we should view the power as the power exhibited to bring us out of death into life and cause us to be heirs and joint heirs with Christ and rule and reign with Him and be His light to a dying world. Later we see He also empowers daily living. Here it is regeneration power; the power of the new birth. Paul wants us to understand and contemplate what God did to get us where we are. Basically Paul wants the Ephesians to understand the wonder of their salvation.
He outlined much of the blessing in 3-14; chosen, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, enlightened, made His inheritance and sealed.
Then he was prompted to pray that God bring fuller understanding through the enlightening of their heart to grasp the hope drawn from the fact of our calling, understand the glory of being God’s special people and the greatness (surpassing) greatness of God’s power toward us.
Hallelujah!!!
