Ephesians 1:15-23

Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

Let do a quick review

Doctrine: Our Riches in Christ—Chapters 1–3

Our Spiritual Possessions in Christ—1:4–14

First Prayer—for Enlightenment—1:15–23

Our Spiritual Position in Christ—2:1–22

Second Prayer—for Enablement—3:1–21

Duty: Our Responsibilities in Christ—Chapters 4–6

Walk in Unity—4:1–16

Walk in Purity—4:17–5:17

Walk in Harmony—5:18–6:9

Walk in Victory—6:10–24

Map

Purpose

Though no particular problem is raised in the book, the reason for writing this epistle becomes clear when we consider the contacts the apostle had with the Ephesians. On the return from his third missionary journey Paul told the Ephesian elders at Miletus (A.D. 57) to beware of evil teachers from without and of professing believers within who would teach perverse things (Acts 20:29–30).

From Revelations one can see that the Ephesian church had succeeded in keeping out the false teachers (Rev. 2:2) but had failed to maintain the vibrancy of their first love for Christ (Rev. 2:4). This is substantiated in 1 Timothy 1:5, when Paul wrote from Macedonia to Timothy at Ephesus (ca A.D. 62) that the goal of his instruction was “love which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” Thus the theme of love needed to be stressed for the saints at Ephesus.

Many temples to pagan God’s to include Roman emperors and the cities prized deity... Artemis

Artemis Ephesia, this deity was a fusion of Greek Artemis and an Asian mother-goddess from Ephesus. Surviving statues of Artemis Ephesia show her to be a multi-breasted mother-goddess, clothed in ornate garments and wearing a large headdress. To the Romans, Artemis was known as Diana.

• Ephesus was a major commercial port city and an important node on the north-south and east-west road system, and thus a strategic hub for the immediate and ongoing work of a missionary/church planter like Paul and his team.

• The worship of Artemis and the city’s identity and pride were intertwined from the founding of Ephesus, making devotion to Artemis a natural rallying point against an invasive monotheistic cult.

•Ephesus enthusiastically and devoutly supported the Roman imperial cult, with a marked upsurge toward the end of the first century as it was awarded its first provincial imperial temple. This is the climate and situation to which John’s Revelation would appear to respond most directly for Ephesian Christians.

• The commercial structures and activity of Ephesus, particularly as a collection point for shipments heading west to Greece and, most especially, Rome, is another important point of connection with Revelation’s critique of the Roman imperial economy and the practices that sustain it.

Go to next slide - In Christ

Then in lesson two we learned about ‘in Christ’

Let’s take a quick look at what the ‘In Christs’ are. v1 - Faithful in Christ Jesus

v3 - Blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ

v4 - He Chose us in Him

v6 - Accepted in the Beloved

v7 - Redemption in Him

v9 - Know his will in Himself

v10 - Gather all things in Christ/ in Him

v11 - Gained an inheritance in Him

v12 - Praise of His glory in Christ

V13 - Salvation in Him

v13 - Sealed in Whom

The Bottom line of ‘In Christ’...we are blessed, chose, accepted, redeemed, know his will, have an inheritance, salvation and are sealed.

Ephesians 1:15–23 NKJV

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which 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 principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Everything in this pericope is predicated on the previous pericope because of the word therefor . Because we are blessed, chose, accepted, redeemed, saved, predestined sealed and have an inheritance. Paul prays for us to have wisdom, revelation, knowledge, understanding, enlightenment, power and know His Calling.

Let’s read it in the run on sentence form.

This pericope is an another one of Paul’s run-on sentences in the Greek:

Therefore, I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come and He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

v15 - Paul makes a point there that it was not just faith, but the love for the saints, that gave him cause to pray for them continually.

Ephesians 1:15 NKJV

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

Why?

John 13:35 NKJV

35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Paul knew that they were Jesus’ disciples because of the love they had for one another. There was a lot of faith groups with disciples in the city of Ephesus. All the cults and pagan temples had disciple that were faithful. But only the one that had love for one another were Jesus’ disciples. This is what separated this new religion from all others and made people take note. It was the love for one another. And Paul takes note of it and thank God for this love. All the pagan religions and cults loved their deity, but only Christians had love for one another as well.

The issue with the English language is it is not very precise as most other languages. The Greek word used here is Agapē, God’s love.

Other word that could have been used:

phileō, spontaneous natural affection, with more feeling than reason,

philadelphia (brotherly love)

philia (friendship) ;

What is the main difference from God’s love and all other types of love...it is unconditional?

Paul is underscoring the believers at Ephesus had unconditional love for each other showing they were Jesus disciples.

I have often said “if we can’t love the people in the church, then how are we going to love the world?

DISCUSSION POINT: How are we doing?

Ephesians 1:16 NKJV

16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

V16 — In the first pericope of this chapter Paul explained that ‘In Christ’ we are blessed, chose, accepted, redeemed, know his will, have an inheritance, salvation and are sealed. Paul then opens the second pericope by asking God to give them wisdom and understanding to use the gift God just gave. Paul knew they needed spiritual understanding in order to use the new gifts and stay the course. This goes hand in hand…salvation and spiritual knowledge. This was a given to Paul and he prayed to God for the Ephesians believers to have spiritual understanding and knowledge.

Paul didn't just pray and forget but he prayed continually because Paul understood that being blessed, chose, accepted, redeemed, knowing his will, having an inheritance, salvation and being sealed was useless unless you have spiritual knowledge and understanding to use them for God’s Glory, purpose and calling.

Do we pray without ceasing?

Do we even pray daily?

Are we praying for one another or just our own needs?

Paul used several clauses in this run on sentence to ask for understanding, revelation and enlightenment.

Ephesians 1:17–18 NKJV

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Paul packed a lot into these clauses:

Wisdom

Revelation

Knowledge

Understanding

Enlightened

Calling

Inheritance

Let’s break these down

Wisdom - σοφία (sophia) - Wisdom was a common way of thinking in this part of the ancient world. Briefly, it was a way of viewing and approaching life, which involved instructing the young in proper conduct and morality and answering the philosophical questions about life’s meaning.

~ C. Hassell Bullock, “Wisdom,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, electronic ed., Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996), 823.

The trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight

My definition of wisdom is the correct application of knowledge. The ability to know lots of stuff and how to best use that knowledge. But in staying true to Biblical wisdom we must use the same context. It is not just any knowledge but knowledge pertaining to living life “instructing the young in proper conduct and morality and answering the philosophical questions about life’s meaning.”

It is hard for our eastern mindset to stop and make application only with the context that is presented in the Bible. Yes wisdom is the application of knowledge. But in context of the Bible, wisdom is correct application of knowledge to live life for God.

Using the Bible for a definition

Proverbs 9:10 NKJV

10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

No fear/respect for God. No beginning wisdom...no wisdom period. All wisdom must start with an understanding of God.

What did the wisest man on earth ask for when God said he would grant him anything. Wisdom and knowledge to lead God’s people, AKA wisdom to fulfill God’s calling in Solomon’s life. He got it! We will get to calling in a few minutes.

2 Chronicles 1:10 NKJV

10 Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”

Solomon was asking God to give him wisdom to lead God’s people to live according to God’s will.

Bottom line - Paul is praying continually that God gives the Ephesians not just wisdom but a spirit of wisdom so they can know how to live Christ-like. As a matter of fact, Paul want us to have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV

16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Philippians 2:5 NKJV

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

Paul is also echoing

Wisdom of Solomon 7:7 NRSV

7 Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.

and there is an allusion to

Isaiah 11:2 NKJV

2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

Revelation

Something being reveled. In this case it is God reveling the knowledge of Himself to mankind. This is special revelation (direct to an individual or group) not general revelation (understanding God through nature). Paul wants us to get our knowledge and understanding to use wisdom directly from God. You can’t know things that God has hid from mankind.

Colossians 1:26 NKJV

26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

God has to show us. We need revelation from God or our knowledge, understanding and wisdom is worldly and useless.

Knowledge

The psychological result of perception and learning, sometimes empowered by God.

In this case Paul is praying that the Ephesians have a spirit of wisdom ( the ability to apply knowledge) and that all the knowledge is reveled to them is knowledge of Christ.

-Cant be just head knowledge. Must be Heart knowledge

Understanding

literally a disposition of the mind - eyes of your understanding - mental position from which things are viewed.

AKA our world view, everything we believe is a product of our worldview and understanding which drive our actions.

Enlightened - Given Spiritual Insight

Ephesians 1:18 NKJV

18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Try to follow me here while I chase Paul down....remember this is one run on sentence

Paul is praying continually that God gives the Ephesians not just wisdom but a spirit of wisdom, that they are given special revelation to perceive and learn (Knowledge) of Christ aka to have all the knowledge of Christ and that the eyes of their mental position from which they view things is by the spiritual insight given by God and wait for it....this is so we know the hope of His calling and the riches of His glorious inheritance in Christ.

All of this to know the calling of Christ.

How can Paul make it any clearer that not only are we blessed, chose, accepted, redeemed, know his will, have an inheritance, salvation and are sealed, but then having a spirit of wisdom, special revelation, spiritual insight given by God all is so they could know the hope of His calling and the riches of His glorious inheritance we have in Christ.

So why are people today making a profession of faith but have no spiritual understanding?

Calling - That we may know what is the hope of His calling

Jesus is calling us to salvation. Our hope is in Christ alone.

Then we have a call to fulfill for Christ.

Inheritance

We are Christ’s inheritance and as such have access to everything Christ has.

Ephesians 1:19–23 NKJV

19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which 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 principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

POWER

Last week Texas had no power but God still had power. His power never freezes, stops or slows down. Paul uses about 12 clauses in verses 19-23 just to explain the power Jesus has yet the for the most part it appears that most churches are powerless. To many people who claim to be Christians are powerless. Yup just like south Texas with a week of freezing weather.

Follow me once again:

Paul told us what we are and have ‘in Christ’ in the first half of this chapter. He then prays for Spiritual wisdom for us and in doing so takes half the prayer to explain God’s power working in Christ for the believers. Remember this is the setup for the book of Ephesians. Take a look at the outline we reviewed.

Doctrine: Our Riches in Christ—Chapters 1–3

Our Spiritual Possessions in Christ—1:4–14

First Prayer—for Enlightenment—1:15–23

Our Spiritual Position in Christ—2:1–22

Second Prayer—for Enablement—3:1–21

Duty: Our Responsibilities in Christ—Chapters 4–6

Walk in Unity—4:1–16

Walk in Purity—4:17–5:17

Walk in Harmony—5:18–6:9

Walk in Victory—6:10–24

Paul is going to keep telling us about Christ then in chapters 4-6 the big ask. Here is what I expect from you now in the first three chapters and in the last three chapters is what I expect from you.

A real simple outline of Ephesians:

Chapters 1-3 - What you can expect from Christ

Chapters 4-6 - What Christ expects from you

Ephesians 1:19–20 NKJV

19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

So, what power

Resurrection power, everything on this earth is born, grown, created then dies, withers and decays. There are no exceptions except when God intervenes. If death is the finality of all things on earth, and it is, and there is no exception in the natural realm, and there are not, then resurrection power is the the most powerful force on earth. Only God has Resurrection power as the creator of all things.

Paul is explaining this power in verses 19-23. Paul also tells us this power is toward us who believe. Yup, we have resurrected spirits and souls. We were once dead in our sin but, now made alive though the spirit of God. The power to pull people from sin. The power to change people’s natures. The power to overcome addictions and personalities issues. The power to overcome anything a sick and perverted society throws at us. (boy This is going to come in handy real soon…just look at what society is doing to itself)

God gave me a message for the church at the end of last year. Everyone was so glad to get past 2020 and was ready to get back to normal but the spirit of God was not telling me that. I keep praying and praying then final had to say something. Things are not going to get better and things are never going back to normal (whatever that is to us). Now I see that message coming to fruition almost every single day with new laws and legislation that comes against everything of God. All under the guise equality.

So here is the thing....we are not powerless. We may not be able to change what is going on but we have the power to go through it. Daniel was not taken out of the lion’s den and neither where the three Hebrew boys taken out of the fire. They were given power to walk through it. We will make it through. we may not like the journey but we have the power of Christ to walk though this storm with us.

Ephesians 1:21–23 NKJV

21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

This power is not just relegated to this earth or the natural realm. Look it encompasses the earth, heavens, natural, spiritual, and transcends all power and principalities. Yep, that includes a party that want to kill babies and remove God and his believers from societies. If your eyes and heart can’t see what is happening in the world, I will never convince you we are ever so close the return of Christ your mind will never be swayed.

But let me try…every generation since Christ said Jesus is coming soon but Jesus could come until all the prophecies have been fulfilled. The last major one was Isreal becoming a nation in 1948...

Then to top it off Paul shows that Christ uses everything for his footstool and he is the head.

So, in closing I urge you to pray and gain access to the power Christ has given you. use the power to be a force for good and dark world. Use the power to be a light in the darkness, and a witness to the lost.

Things are not going to get better; they are going to get worse and they have to before Christ comes.

2 Timothy 3:1–7 NKJV

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.