Written by Paul J Bucknell on August, 16, 2022
Ephesians 1:15-17 The Momentary Pause | The Bible Teaching Commentary with study questions
Chapter 1’s monologue might be Paul’s most illustrious chapter. He has several purposes for retelling the glories of the Gospel:
- To express his heartfelt praise and adoration for such a wonderful and gracious redemptive plan.
- To set out God’s redemption program, the Gospel, in a comprehensive format.
- To steer the church away from worldly temptation, including the great sway of the world wonder of the Ephesian goddess Diana’s Temple.
- To strengthen the Ephesians by reminding them of the glory of their faith in Christ.
Paul the apostle with these purposes in mind equips the church leaders (Eph 4:11-13). He draws back the curtains that obscure any view of the glorious Gospel’s promises and hopes.
A Larger View of Ephesians 1
Ephesians 1:3-14 forms one long sentence describing the excellencies of God’s redemptive plan. When Paul commends the example of the Ephesian church in verse 15, it looks as if he has moved on to another topic. But in verses 15-23, Paul only took a momentary step into real life by addressing the Ephesians’ situation.
Verses 15-17 become a mere pause before Paul shortly resumes the former subject ending in verse 14. Once he reaches verse 18, his thoughts bounce back to the former thoughts on God’s glory and the church’s place in God’s grand redemption plan.
So though we move from Paul blessing God, “Blessed be the God and Father” (3-14) to his prayer, “making mention of you in my prayers” (15-23), it’s essential to remember that Paul spends most of his words to describe the greatness of God’s program in which the church plays a central part.
Thoughts on Prayer in Ephesians
Prayer holds a prominent position in the Book of Ephesians. Paul begins chapter 1 with a prayer of praise (verse 3), and though he changes his tone a bit, he continues in prayer to the chapter’s end.
More significant than Paul’s instruction on prayer for the advancement of the Gospel (6:18-19) are these natural bursts of prayer here in chapter 1 and chapter 3:14-21. In both cases, Paul powerfully recalls amazing Gospel truths, igniting elongated flare-like prayers. His prayers become vivid lessons on how to incorporate the truth of God and salvation into prayer and teaching points.
At specific places in his prayer, the truths enraptured in his soul stir Paul to exalt God and seek enlightenment for His people.
Ephesians 1:15 Commentary
“15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Eph 1:15-17).
After discussing God’s pledge of the Holy Spirit to believers in verse 14, the apostle reflects on the Ephesian church and moves on to describe how he prays for them. Perhaps, like a father, he projects his hopes for his ‘children’. Paul personally responds–“I too” (15), commenting on the developments in Ephesus due to their response to the Gospel.
Paul heard two things about the Ephesian believers. He heard of their “faith in the Lord Jesus” and their “love for all the saints.” There are no more significant signs of the Christian faith than upward devotion to God and a practical outpouring of kindness to other believers. Jesus similarly summarized the duties of the Christian in Luke 10:27. Faith in the Lord Jesus affirms itself by suitable care for others. Here, the gospel makes a powerful impact on communities through His Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:16 Commentary
Spontaneous prayers and thanks arise from the testimony of God’s faithful work through the Gospel in the saints at Ephesus. Paul states, “I do not cease giving thanks for you” (16). He not only gives thanks for them but also refers to specific petitions made on their behalf, seen in the statement “making mention of you.” Due to the grand scheme of salvation, Paul seeks further insights for the Ephesian church. We surmise that our intercessory prayers on behalf of God’s people will accelerate God’s work, no matter what great things God has already done for His people (Ex 17:11-13).
Ephesians 1:17 Commentary
Before Paul prays for the two specific issues (17), He starts by addressing his prayer to God the Father: “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory” (17). Although using Christ’s full title, the “Lord Jesus Christ,” he does not address his prayer to Christ but to the Father. Jesus told us to pray to the Father (Mat 6:9), though the Father and His Son’s power and glory are intertwined. By mentioning the Father, we instantly think of the Son and how they perfectly complement each other to exercise God’s redemptive plan. Christ’s work further magnifies the Father (Col 1:15-20).
Still astounded at the Father’s glory, Paul asks Him to bestow further blessings: “may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him” (17). Peter and John regularly teach on the desire for spiritual growth (e.g., 1 John 2:14; 2 Pet 1:3-9). Believers should continually grow in their faith in Christ Jesus. There is no limit to understanding God’s glories and being affected by them throughout our whole lives. Paul seeks growth in two areas.
“Spirit of wisdom” hints at God-given spiritual insights. “Revelation in the knowledge of Him” reminds us that it is only by God’s grace that He unveils increasingly powerful pictures of His glory. Although Paul has stated truth upon truth, they all lead to the same admiration of God’s excellent ways.
Much has and will be said about grace, for example, but the study of grace leads us to the Grace-giver. We can speak about love but must return to the Fount of all love–God Himself. Like the discovery of a magnificent secret garden, a person will return again and again, whenever he has a chance, to find full delights at the sights. So it is with knowing God.
Theology’s ultimate purpose is not to provide clear categories or definitions of various truths, though helpful they are, but to vividly present the truths to affect our hearts. Our statements, no matter how superbly written, have limitations, as seen in the repeated use of glory in this one chapter (Eph 1:6,12,14,17,18), a word that reminds us of the powerful reality of truth. Many theologians have shipwrecked their faith by studying knowledge and doctrine without the life-giving Spirit. Theologians can argue doctrine without ever personally witnessing or experiencing God’s glory. Let’s not be one of them, but, as Paul encourages us here, grow more in the knowledge of our God through Christ.
Paul began by blessing God in verse 3, “Blessed be the God and Father,” and now leads every saint to the same spot. Let not the lower slopes satisfy. God, the chief of all mountains, is the glorious One to gaze upon.
Bible Study Questions on Ephesians 1:15-17
- What are the two things Paul heard regarding their faith in Ephesians 1:15?
- What is Paul’s response to these two things (see Eph 1:16)?
- What does it mean “do not cease giving thanks for you?” How can he keep doing it (“I have not stopped giving thanks for you?” (NIV))
- To whom does Paul pray? Why do so many Christians pray to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or to Mary? Is it wrong? Why or why not?
- What does ‘a spirit of wisdom’ mean? (17) Who in the Bible had wisdom? Why do you think Paul asked for this?
