Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. Why does the apostle Paul give thanks to God for these Ephesian Christians? See Ephesians 1:15-16 (printed below)
For this reason, I, indeed—having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints—(16) do not cease giving thanks for you, mentioning you in my prayers. (Ephesians 1:15-16)
The apostle Paul continually gives thanks to God for the Ephesians because they have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, he gives thanks for the fact that the genuineness and the fruit of their faith is being evidenced by the love they have, not only for each other, but for “all the saints,” all those who are fellow believers in Christ.
2. What is one request Paul makes in prayer for the Ephesians? See Ephesians 1:17 (printed below)
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to gain insight in his knowledge (Ephesians 1:17)
Paul requests that God the Father would bestow the Holy Spirit upon the Ephesians in His capacity as “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.” Paul makes this request in order that the church may gain deeper insight and understanding in the knowledge of God—that they may better comprehend the things of God and what God wants to share with them.
3. According to verse 18a (printed below), why does Paul make the request mentioned in verse 17?
…since he has enlightened the eyes of your heart. I pray that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance for the saints. (Ephesians 1:18)
Paul makes the request that God would bestow the Holy Spirit upon the Ephesians in His capacity as “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” because God has “enlightened the eyes of (their) heart.” That is to say, the Lord has removed their spiritual blindness, giving them the ability to comprehend and appreciate the things of the kingdom of God. Paul is here expressing the same great truth as was expressed by the Lord Jesus Himself when He said to His disciples, “To you it is granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven…blessed are your eyes; and your ears, for they hear.” (Matthew 13:11a,16)
4. What prayer request on behalf of the Ephesian church does Paul mention in verse 18 (printed above under question #3?)
In verse 18 Paul asks God to enable the Ephesians to know “the hope of (God’s) calling.” The hope of God’s calling is further defined as “the riches of the glory of his inheritance for the saints.” The apostle is asking God to enable these Christian people to understand and appreciate the purpose for which God has called them, a purpose that shall finally be fully realized when the kingdom of God comes in all of its glory. The apostle Paul’s request—and God’s desire—is that the Holy Spirit will make these things known to us in a deeper and more meaningful way. We may ask the Holy Spirit to help us know in a deeper and more personal way the glorious life and purpose to which God has called us in Christ.
5. What prayer request on behalf of the church does the apostle mention in verses 19-20 (printed below?)
And I pray that you may know the immeasurable greatness of his power available to us who believe; that power is in accord with the working of the might of his strength (20) that worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 1:19-20)
The apostle Paul further prays—and God further desires—that we as Christians may know “the immeasurable greatness of his power available to us who believe.” This power of God of which the apostle speaks is the very power God employed when He raised Christ from the dead. God desires to employ this awesome power on our behalf and for our spiritual benefit for the accomplishment of His good purpose. The apostle Paul’s request—and God’s desire—is that we may know (that we may experience and rely upon) this awesome power of God in our everyday life.
