Ephesians: His Glorious RichesSample

Today we continue to consider Paul’s initial prayer. We’ve already seen that the first request is for a deeper knowledge of God (v. 17). There are two further petitions. 

Secondly, he prays that they may have a fuller grasp of their hope and of the inheritance that God has prepared for them (v. 18). Hope is sometimes a neglected virtue, probably because we think of it as wishful thinking. But in the Bible it is shorthand for unconditional certainty. It is a living hope because Christ rose from the dead and secured it for us. God keeps our inheritance in Heaven and He keeps us through faith until we get there (1 Pet. 1:3–5). Hope is an anchor for our souls in the choppy waters of life (Heb. 6:19). 

God is the glorious inheritance of His people (Deut. 10:9). As we saw yesterday, the joy of Heaven will consist of a growing knowledge, enjoyment and adoration of God. How should this future hope affect our present lives (2 Tim. 4:6–8)? 

Paul’s third and final request is that the Ephesians Christians might know the greatness of God’s power exercised in and for those who believe (vv. 19–23). He uses four different words to describe God’s power. See if you can spot them. In the Old Testament God’s act of creating the world is often used as the evidence of the greatness of His power (Ps. 95:3–5; Rom. 1:20). In the New Testament, as we see here, the emphasis has moved to God’s power in the new creation, inaugurated by the resurrection of Jesus. 

Jesus was raised from the dead (vv. 19–20). His resurrection is a historical event with cosmic implications. As He has reversed the process of death itself, the whole cosmos will one day be put right, liberated from its current state of decay (Rom. 8:22–23). Jesus then ascended to God’s right hand and is enthroned in Heaven (v. 20). All powers and authorities are now at His command and He reigns over all things (vv. 20–22). Ephesus was a city steeped in witchcraft, so Paul reminds them that Jesus is Lord over all occult powers. 

His Lordship is exercised on behalf of the church (vv. 22–23), which is at the centre of all God’s purposes. One day the scaffold of history will be removed and the church will be seen in all its glory. How does this affect the way you think about the church?

Reflection

In the cut and thrust of historical events, Jesus is ruling over all things for the good of His church (Matt. 16:13–20; Col. 1:18).