A Prayer That We May Know Our Riches in Christ
Rick White
Ephesians 1:15-23
Background to the prayer:
There are two prayers in Ephesians:
1. that you might know 1:15-23 prayer for enlightenment
2. that you might be 3:13-21 prayer for enablement
He prays that we might know what Christ has done for us; then he prays that we will live up to these blessings and practice our faith.
This is the only Pauline letter to combine both a doxology and a thanksgiving-intercession. His petition grows out of his thanks for what God has already accomplished in them.
Structure: The Greek text of 1:15-23 is one long sentence.
A. The report Paul has of their faith and love (15).
Faith in Christ leads unavoidably to love for others in Christ. The trilogy of faith, hope, and love appear here and in 9 other NT passages. They are foundational terms for Christianity (along with grace and truth) summarize the gospel and its consequences.
B. Affirmation that he give thanks and prays for them (16).
Indicates that he prays for them on a regular basis.
C. Intercession for the gift of revelation (17-23).
1. That God may give you spiritual understanding (17-18a).
- wisdom is the practical application of truth to life.
- revelation is to know what you have in Christ because it has been revealed to you.
(1 Cor 2:9-16 NASB) but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." {10} For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. {11} For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. {12} Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, {13} which things we also speak, not in words ta ...
Rick White
Ephesians 1:15-23
Background to the prayer:
There are two prayers in Ephesians:
1. that you might know 1:15-23 prayer for enlightenment
2. that you might be 3:13-21 prayer for enablement
He prays that we might know what Christ has done for us; then he prays that we will live up to these blessings and practice our faith.
This is the only Pauline letter to combine both a doxology and a thanksgiving-intercession. His petition grows out of his thanks for what God has already accomplished in them.
Structure: The Greek text of 1:15-23 is one long sentence.
A. The report Paul has of their faith and love (15).
Faith in Christ leads unavoidably to love for others in Christ. The trilogy of faith, hope, and love appear here and in 9 other NT passages. They are foundational terms for Christianity (along with grace and truth) summarize the gospel and its consequences.
B. Affirmation that he give thanks and prays for them (16).
Indicates that he prays for them on a regular basis.
C. Intercession for the gift of revelation (17-23).
1. That God may give you spiritual understanding (17-18a).
- wisdom is the practical application of truth to life.
- revelation is to know what you have in Christ because it has been revealed to you.
(1 Cor 2:9-16 NASB) but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." {10} For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. {11} For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. {12} Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, {13} which things we also speak, not in words ta ...
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