Ephesians 1:15-17

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Ephesians 1:15

Wherefore, I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

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This verse begins the first of two prayers by Paul. He prays that Christians will employ the mechanics of the plan of God so that they will grow and enjoy the blessings of a dynamic life.

"Wherefore, I also": "for this reason, I also"

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"after I heard": aor. act. part. (akouw), "having heard"

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of your faith: (kata + pistis), "about your faith".

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"in the Lord Jesus":

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"and love toward all the saints": (agapei), "love", the mental attitude love which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

COMMENT
  • Love is the ability to appreciate someone, to have affection for someone, or to be occupied with someone. This includes being willing to sacrifice of yourself in order to draw the object of love to yourself for a closer relationship. Gen. 27:1 ff; Ps. 119?97; John 12:43; Eph. 5:25.
  • Love is evidence of edification, growth in Christ.

  • A relaxed mental attitude, characterized by the absence of mental attitude sins, is the basis for all love for others.

  • The Ephesian church was unusual; believers living in the same town had love for each other, freedom from open sins, courtesy and respect for each other. It's easy to love those you are compatible with, but this verse says "all saints". Christian love for others include those who are obnoxious, even those who are enemies.

  • Paul enjoyed his fellowship in Ephesus for nearly three years. A doctrinal church is the closest to perfect environment you can find on earth. The environment is perfect regardless of weather, politics, or outward circumstances.

  • But the only way to maintain this perfect environment is to maintain one's continuous advancement and growth through intake and application of Bible truth.
Ephesians 1:16

Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.

"cease not": (ou pauw), "never stop".

Paul is always thinking about his friends, and he is always interceding for them.

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"to give thanks for you": pres. act. part. (eucharistew), "giving thanks"

Thus, "I never stop being grateful for you..." Paul was thankful for his fellow believers in Ephesus.

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"making mention (of you): (mneia + poiew), "making a remembrance; producing a memory" (Eng: mnemonic)

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'in my prayers": the noun (proseuchei) from the verb (proseuchomai), "to make prayer", hence, "by my prayers"

Notice the content of Paul's prayers for others - that they'll keep on growing and making maximum use of divine blessings - studying, applying, growing.

John 17:20-26; Rom. 1:9-11; Eph. 3:14-19; Col. 4:12

Topic: PRAYER

Ephesians 1:17

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom, and revelation in the knowledge of him,

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"that": introduces the following clause in which Paul states the purpose of his prayer.

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"the God of our Lord Jesus Christ": God the Father and God the Son

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the Father of glory: (doxa), "glory".

Here, the word "glory" is a reference to the perfect character of God.

Topic: GLORY OF GOD

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"may give unto you:: aor. act. optative of (didomi), "to give".

The optative mood expresses a desire. Paul's prayer expresses a very strong desire that his friends advance toward spiritual maturity.

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"the spirit of wisdom": "wisdom" is (sophia), which is a word used to refer to wisdom in the human spirit.

Wisdom is gained through the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. A Christian learns the Word of God academically; the facts enter the mind and can be understood there. The believer then makes a decision whether to believe the Word of God (to have faith in it), which may involve obedience to a commandment or accepting certain principles.

The Holy Spirit then uses the facts of Scripture to provide wisdom and prudence in the Christian's life. The Word of God becomes a tool or weapon with which to make correct decisions in life and to solve problems, all according to the divine wisdom of God which is within. This is the principle of "line upon line, precept upon precept" by which a Christian grows in the "knowledge of Jesus Christ."

The Lord provides abundant wisdom as part of His grace plan for believers. Eph. 1:7,8.

Bible doctrine is useful only when it produces edification, that is, applied knowledge. A Christian becomes wise when he learns and believes Bible truth while walking in fellowship. The Holy Spirit makes application, producing discernment and prudence.

2 Chr. 1:8-10
    "And Solomon said to God, "Thou hast dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and hast made me king in his place.
    "Now, O \Lord\ God, Thy promise to my father David is fulfilled; for Thou hast made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.
    "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can rule this great people of Thine?"
Prov. 2:1-7
    "My son, if you will receive my sayings, And treasure my commandments within you,
    "Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;
    "For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding;
    "If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;
    "Then you will discern the fear of the Lord, And discover the knowledge of God.
    "For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
    "He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,"
James 1:5 "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

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"and revelation": (apokalupsis), "revelation", a reference to the canon of Scripture, the inspired Word of God.

"in the knowledge of Him": (epignosis), "full and applied knowledge from the source of God the Father"

Topic: EDIFICATION

Summarizing the passage:

Ephesians 1:15 Because of this, I also, having heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and love toward all the saints,

Ephesians 1:16 I do not cease being grateful on your behalf, calling up a remembrance of you in my prayers.

Ephesians 1:17, In order that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you the spirit of wisdom and revealed truth in full knowledge from Him.

End of Lesson 6

Warren Doud [ Grace Notes]
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