Ephesians 1:15-23

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

[16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 

Paul was always thankful to hear about the testimony of real Christians. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and love unto all the saints are hallmarks of authentic Christianity. 

In the first part of this chapter (vs.1-14), the apostle Paul mentions seven spiritual blessings. In the latter part of the chapter (vs.15-23), he prays for the Body of Christ in regard to these blessings. He does not pray that we would be able to obtain these blessings, but rather that we would know that we already have it all in Christ! 

Due to their ignorance of the Pauline epistles, most believers today are seeking for things they already have in Christ and are therefore not enjoying the Christian life as they should be. They lack peace and joy because of their failure to know and believe who God has made them in Christ. For example, most believers are trying to obtain blessings (v.3), forgiveness (v.7), and acceptance (v.6) from God when He has already given us these things in Christ. 

The first three chapters reveal doctrine about the Body of Christ:

• Chapter One – Our spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ 

• Chapter Two – How we are made members of the Body of Christ

• Chapter Three – The Body of Christ was a mystery revealed through Paul

There are two prayers in this first section, and they are both about believers having a spiritual knowledge of the truth set forth in these chapters (1:15-23; 3:14-21). The prayers in Paul’s prison epistles are spiritual (see also Phil. 1:9-11; Col. 1:9-14). We may pray about physical things, but surely the emphasis in our prayers should be on the spiritual. Spiritual knowledge of God is our greatest need! 

[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: 

[18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

[19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 

The knowledge Paul is talking about is a spiritual knowledge that only comes by the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:6-16). Many churches today are caught up in the vain philosophy of, “Know thyself,” but Paul prays that we would know:

1. God (v.17) – Our great goal should be, “that I may know him” (Phil. 3:10). 

2. The hope of HIS calling (v.18a) - There is one hope of our calling (Eph. 4:1, 4). Our calling is “high” (Phil. 3:14) and “holy” (2 Tim. 1:9). We are called by Paul’s gospel (2 Thess. 2:14). The Body of Christ is a called out assembly. We are assembled in Christ in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6). Yet, many claim that a church can only be local. Our hope is to be caught up and glorified with Christ in heaven (1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Phil. 3:20-21; Col. 3:1-4; Titus 2:13). Our position is eternal in the heavens (Eph. 2:6-7; 2 Cor. 5:1). The hope of Israel’s calling concerns a kingdom on the EARTH. The far majority of believers today think they have the hope of Israel’s calling. 

3. The riches of the glory of HIS inheritance in the saints (v.18b) 

4. The exceeding greatness of HIS mighty power (v.19)

The apostle Paul was given a twofold ministry for this present age: to every creature with the gospel and to the church with the mystery (Col. 1:23-29). Satan knows what God is doing in this age and is working to keep the lost blinded to the truth of the gospel of grace and believers blinded to the truth of the Body of Christ. Based on Paul’s prayer (v.18), it is possible for believers to be blinded to spiritual truth. What blinds believers to God’s truth? Very often it is the religious TRADITIONS of men (Col. 2:8). 

[20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 

[21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 

[22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 

[23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Most people seem to be only interested in what the power of God can do FOR them in a visible and tangible way. God is not doing signs and wonders in this age. However, His mighty power is at work IN us spiritually (Eph. 3:20). We have the resurrection power of God that enables us to walk in newness of life (Rom 6:3-4). 

Christ went down into the lower parts of the earth (Eph. 4:9), but is now exalted far above all heavens (Eph. 4:10). He is seated far above all principality, power, and might, and dominion; both visible and invisible (Col 1:16). As members of His Body, we are seated with Him and will reign with Him over all things eternally.  

The first church that I ever “joined” was a Baptist church. They taught me as a young Christian that there is only a local and visible church on earth that is entered through water baptism. The Lord used vs.22-23 to show me that there is one true spiritual church made up of all believers in this age. It is the church, which is the Body of Christ. There are many local churches, but there is only ONE BODY (Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:4). Christ fills all the members of His Body with all spiritual blessings. All believers in this age are baptized by one Spirit into this one Body upon salvation (1 Cor. 12:13).