Ephesians Week 3 - Thanksgiving and Prayer

Week 3

Ephesians 1:15–23 ESV

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Just like Verses 3-14, this entire section was one long sentence in the Greek

Here Paul is praying for the church

Praying that they would gain deep insight into the Lord’s powerful working and rich gifts in Christ.

Breakdown of Vs. 15-23

Vs. 15-16

Paul, after telling the Ephesians why they should be praising God in Vs. 3-14, proceeds to bless them by telling them he is praying for them

He affirms in them their faith in Jesus, and how they always show love to each other

He tells them that he is constantly giving thanks for them, he said “I do not cease” - showing it is a daily, consistent praising and praying for them

Vs. 17

Paul then gives the contents of his prayer for the Ephesians

The first thing he says he prays for is that they would have wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus

Wisdom is something that we are promised to receive if we pray for it

God says he will give it freely (James 1:5)

Revelation refers to knowing if things are from God or not

Ultimately Paul is praying that they would be wise, knowing what is from God and what is not from God

Then doing it

Vs. 18-23

The second thing that Paul prayed for was that they would know God’s grace

This first comes from verse 18 where he is praying they would know the calling that is on every believer's life

Rather that is a calling of ministry, or a calling of reaching their friends

The second way was knowing the inheritance God has given you

He prays that we would know the inheritance God has given

The third way Paul prays for us to know God’s grace is by knowing God’s power

From vs. 19-23 Paul tells all about God’s power

He raised Jesus from the dead

He has all authority and power and dominion

He is far above all

Paul is praying that they would fully know God

Questions