Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians 1:15-23 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, (16) I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, (17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, (18) having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (19) and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might (20) that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, (21) far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (22) And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, (23) which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

 

Argument is like this:

1:1-14    God is ultimately going to put everything under Christ's authority. He has placed you in Christ by the Spirit. You are part of his original plan of making his glory known everywhere.

1:15-23    So, since you have faith in the Lord and love for others I pray you will know the hope of your destination. Essentially when your faith, love and hope work together you will be able to fully participate in the reordering of creation.

Basically: God has always planned to make a glorious world by using redeemed people indwelt with himself such that creation gets filled with his glory. Paul sees this in general and writes to Christians saying you are specific participants in this great plan so I pray you will see that and get on board!

The whole book of Ephesians is about a revolution of Creator over creation. The fall was creation over and against Creator. The absurdity is that creation is not self-existent. God is self-existent. That means he does not get life from elsewhere, he is life. When creation (people etc.) separate from the Creator, we necessarily separate from life. The fallen world is the world in separation from the live giving God. That is why death is the way of the fallen world.

The demonic enjoy the highest status in a God rejecting world. They foster a regime of creation as supreme mindset because it brings them glory and power and honor. What this book will explain is how rebellious man, under the rebel authority(powers and principalities) gets won over to the Creator of creation side. By this grace we are empowered to become counter-revolutionaries. First in ourselves and secondly in the world around us, we have love and life and purity overcome confusion, death and separation.

What is the goal of our counter-revolution? What is our hope?

Our HOPE is loyal (faithful) and powerful participation in the unification of creation under the Triune Creator. God has gifted us individually and communally to get on with that. Like Paul prayed in this passage, I sure ask him to give you the wisdom and unveiling in your spiritual self to see this as the goal so you will confidently apply yourself!!!

Receive the prayer for this and share the prayer. Understand what you are called to and pray that others see this too!.