Ephesians 1:15-23 Prayer for a knowledge of God
Remember our Lord’s words about prayer recorded in Matthew 7 − ask, seek, and knock.
1:17 God of our Lord Jesus Christ 1:2 & 3
The word “revelation” can refer to the time Jesus returns – “the revelation” of Jesus Christ − and in 3:3 communication from God to man.
Him – Look at the nouns and pronouns: in the first 17 verses, 27 times.
18 – The prayer is for us to know HIS calling, HIS inheritance, and HIS power. Enlightenment comes from God to us via prayer.
1:4 According to 2Peter 2 and 3, there are three foundations of the world to consider: 1) Genesis 1:1 to the flood, 2) the flood until the end of this age when it will be destroyed by fire, and 3) the new heaven and earth when the Kingdom comes.
God called us to be holy and blameless before Him in love.
1:1 Saints (Greek hagios) -Webster’s definition –
1) one officially recognized especially through canonization as preeminent for holiness, (to declare [a deceased person] an officially recognized saint);
2) one of the spirits of the departed in heaven;
3) angel;
4) one of God’s chosen and usually Christian people.
“Saints” is the normal NT designation for Christians. Hagios most often is translated holy (161) and saints (61 times). Because of the evil connotation of the word “saint” today, perhaps “holy ones” would be better.
Ephesians 1:1, 15, 18; 2:19; 3:8, 18; 4:12; 5:3; and 6:18 When we accept Christ as Lord, we are made holy; henceforth, we strive to progress or mature in holiness; and in the end, we will be completely holy as He is.
Our call is a call to holiness (1Peter 1:13-16). Holiness has three stages.
1:18 His inheritance – We get Him, and He gets us − the holy ones.
Ephesians 1:7-9 – 3:11 God’s purpose of the ages has always been the same −
I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
1:10-14 The Kingdom to come is when God’s inheritance will be fully realized.
19 – The surpassing greatness of His power is explained in the verses following.
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