Paul’s Prayer for Better Vision
Introduction:
Paul prays for the Ephesian Christians that their eyes of
understanding would be enlightened. With this better vision,
they would more clearly see several important spiritual
truths.
Text: Ephesians 1:15-23
Body:
I. Paul’s Reasons for Praying
(Verses 15-16) Verse 15 A few
years had passed since Paul was in Ephesus. Many had been
converted during that time and the church had continued to
“fight the good fight of faith.” Paul had heard about their
trust and conviction in the Lord Jesus. There’s that phrase
again. His faith had been demonstrated in their lives and
was accompanied by their love for all the saints. Love is
the desires and works toward the ultimate good of others.
All saints (James 2:8-9) Verse 16 Paul loved these faithful
saints in Ephesus and was grateful for them. They were all
“in Christ” and as a result shared in all the blessings he
had mentioned in verses 3-14.
Benjamin Franklin (1812 – 1878): “There is a community
called, in the New Testament, ‘the kingdom of God’ (John
3:30); ‘the church of the living God’ (I Timothy 3:15); ‘one
body’ (Ephesians 4:4). To be in this body, church, or
kingdom, is the same as to be in a pardoned state. To enter
into it, is to enter into a state of justification or
pardon. In entering into that body, we come to the blood of
Christ, which cleanses from all sin; to the Spirit and to
the life of Christ, all of which are in the body. If we
enjoy pardon, the benefits of the blood of Christ, the Holy
Spirit, the life of Christ, we must be in the body. God and
Christ dwell in the church, which is the temple of God and
the ‘pillar and support of the truth.’ To dwell with God and
Christ, enjoy the cleansing of the blood of Christ, the
remission of sins, the impartation of the spirit of God, and
the new life, we must be in Christ, or in His body – the
church. To be out of the church is to be separated from God,
Christ, the Holy Spirit, the blood of Christ, the life of
Christ, and justification. It becomes a matter of momentous
importance, then, to know that we are in Christ; or in the
church.” (Pioneer Sermons and Addresses, F. I. Rowe,
Publisher, 1908, pp. 259-260) The Spiritual Sword, Volume 45
– No. 3, April 2014, Publisher: Getwell Church of Christ,
Memphis, TN
Paul regularly thanked God for them. When was the last time
that you thanked God for “faithful” brethren, for those who
rejoice in the truth?
II. Paul’s Petitions to God
(Verses 17-18a) Paul now makes
special requests to God for the brethren. Verse 17 Paul
addresses to God the Father. (James 1:17) He’s the glorious
Father, worthy of praise. Paul prays they would have a
“spirit of wisdom and revelation.” These Christians in
Ephesus had received the revealed information Paul had
preached to them [as well as through inspired prophets].
They had heard and believed the Truth. The word, knowledge,
here in Greek denotes exact or full knowledge. Thus Paul
prays that they would come to a greater understanding of the
gospel. Notice a similar prayer in Colossians 1:9. Bet this
would require a certain kind of spirit, a disposition and
attitude of heart and mind. (I Peter 2:1) One must be
willing to put forth the effort to gain this full knowledge.
(Hebrews 5:14) Verse 18 “enlightened eyes” The heart is the
symbol of man’s intellect and will. Our physical eyes help
guide the outward man. The “eyes” of our heart help guide
the inward man. “Enlighten” is to illuminate, to give light.
The thought then is that these saints would have “better
vision”; would increase in their understanding and
comprehension, being instructed by God’s Word. Recall Psalm
119:105. This is Paul’s request for them. III. Desired Results of Paul’s Prayers
(Verses 18b-23) “Know
the hope of His calling.” They were called by Christ through
the gospel as Thessalonian Christians were. (II
Thessalonians 2:14) This gave them the hope [expectation,
desire] of eternal life. (Titus 1:2) This hope motivates.
“Know the greatness of God’s power.” Paul desires that the
Ephesians know more of God’s awesome power – “exceeding.”
· This power is seen in the creation of the world.
· This power is seen in the preservation of the nation of
Israel for the coming of the Messiah.
· This power is seen in revealing and recording of the
gospel with the miraculous powers used by the apostles and
others until the gospel was put in written form.
· This power is seen in His power to save us from our sins.
(I Peter 1:5)
· This power is seen, specifically in our text, that God’s
power is seen in raising Jesus from the dead and seating Him
at the right hand in heaven. Note first Hebrews 2:14. By
following the One who is seated at the right hand of God in
heaven, we will some day dwell there also. (II Timothy
2:11-12a)
Verse 21 God’s power is further seen in Christ’s supremacy
over every conceivable authority. He is “King of Kinds and
Lord of Lords.” (Revelation 17:14) Read Daniel 7:13-14.
Verses 22-23 The Father placed all things under the feet of
His Son. This emphasizes His exalted position. Christ is
also “head over all things to the church.” He is the center
and source of life to the church. His headship shows His
authority. There is only one Head! (Colossians 1:18) “to the
church” There is a difference between being the father of a
child and being the father to a child. Christ acts in the
best interest of His church. He loves it and cares for it.
There is only one body, only one church. And it is in the
church of Christ, His body, His church, that all the
blessings in this chapter are to be found. He fills the
church with all blessings. So we see it is impossible to be
in Christ without also being in His Church!!! When we obey
the gospel, we are added to the one body, the Lord’s body,
Christ’s church, the church of Christ.
Invitation:
Paul’s
prayer was for these Christians to have better vision, a
clearer understanding of God’s word, to know the divine
truth. My prayer is that this lesson has helped you to see
more clearly the relationship between Christ and His one
church. I pray that some today will desire to become a part
of it.
Bobby Stafford
April 13, 2014
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