Ephesians: A Study of Faith and PracticeSample

What are you thankful for today? What we’re thankful for tells us a lot about what we value. In the same way, what we pray for tells us a lot about what we desire. In today’s study, we’re moving from Paul’s praise for God to his prayer for the Ephesians. Just like Ephesians 1:3-14, this section of prayer is all one sentence in the original Greek. This makes Ephesians 1 just two sentences long!

As you work through the chapter again, pay careful attention to what’s on Paul’s heart as he prays for the Ephesians. We’ll spend today observing what the text says in Ephesians 1:15-23 before transitioning to interpretation and application tomorrow.

As Paul did in his opening praise, he again appeals to all three Persons of the Trinity in his prayer for the Ephesian saints. He prayed that they would understand not only who God is in His three Persons, but also the role each Person plays in the life of a Christ follower. Why was this concept so important to Paul? Understanding who God is and what He’s done for us empowers us to live a life of godliness. Knowing God is the foundation for glorifying God.

When we become Christians, we know God, but we don’t know everything about Him. We’ll spend our entire lives “increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10, ESV). When Paul prays for “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation,” he is praying that the Spirit will be at work so that the Ephesians may know God more fully.

This desire for spiritual growth is the very reason you’re doing this study right now. As you walk with God and study His Word, you can do so with anticipation. The Spirit is at work, guiding you and teaching you—opening the eyes of your heart so you might know God better!

Paul prays that they might know “what is the hope of his calling” (v. 18). Read the following verses:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct (1 Peter 1:13-15).

Hope is powerful. However, it’s not enough to just be a hopeful person. The Object of our hope is the Source of our power. And Peter reminds us: set your hope completely on Jesus! Paul also prays that they might know “what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (v. 18).

As you read about the inheritance in Ephesians 1:18, you may wonder: Is this passage talking about God’s inheritance in His people or His people’s inheritance, which they receive from Him? Pastor John Stott offers this insight:

The Greek expression, like the English, could mean either God’s inheritance or ours, that is, either the inheritance he receives or the inheritance he gives. Some commentators take it in the former sense and understand it to refer to the inheritance which God possesses among his people. Certainly the Old Testament authors taught consistently that God’s people were his inheritance or ‘possession’ . . . But the parallel passage in Colossians 1:12 strongly suggests the other interpretation here, namely that ‘God’s inheritance’ refers to what he will give us, for we are to give thanks to the Father, ‘who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light’. In this case, if God’s ‘call’ points back to the beginning of our Christian life, God’s ‘inheritance’ points on to its end, to that final inheritance of which the Holy Spirit is the guarantee (14) and which Peter describes as 'an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you.'"

In some sense, both concepts are true. God considers His people His inheritance; we are a treasured possession to God! And He also gives us an inheritance. It’s fully secure, not dependent on our performance, but dependent upon His grace. We are beloved by God and we are blessed by God.

Paul closed his prayer with the culminating power of Jesus’s resurrection and ascension to God’s “right hand.” From this place of authority, Jesus governs His church, which is so closely united with Him that Paul refers to it as His “body.” Don’t forget this picture, it’s one we’ll see again and again throughout Ephesians.

Today, we’ve looked in depth at Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians. He wasn’t afraid to boldly ask for the Lord to grow their faith so that they would abound in hope. So often we feel powerless because we forget our access to the Father’s power. God’s resources are available to us through prayer—any time and any place. However, sometimes I think we are hesitant to go before the Lord because we fear we aren’t good enough to ask for His help.

My husband, Mike, is a seminary professor and president, and some students are intimidated to knock on his door and ask him a question. One student told me that she was so nervous that she walked back and forth and practiced what she was going to say with a friend until she had the courage to finally go in. Thankfully, she survived!

That same week I had taken my kids to Mike’s office. They bounded into the room without knocking. They sat in his chair and spun around and put on his robe. They weren’t intimidated in the least. Why? Because they knew that they were his beloved children. What they knew about their dad made them feel safe and secure in his presence. In the same way, what we know about God informs how we relate to Him. When you’re adopted as His child, you can boldly come into His presence. He delights in you. He loves you. He welcomes you. You have the same access Paul had to God.

I encourage you to take the time right now to spend some time in prayer. Use Paul’s words in Ephesians 1:17-19 to guide you. You’re a beloved daughter, and your Father delights to talk with you.