A Prayer For Further Understanding

The prayer Paul started in the previous two verses is continued in 1:17. Lipscomb notes God is often referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 3:6; Exodus 4:5; 1 Chronicles 29:18; Acts 3:13). However, Paul now calls him "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ." He is also the Father who by his glory raised Jesus from the dead. Of that Father, Paul requests for the Ephesian brethren the ability to apply the knowledge they have received and fully understand the revelation they have been given.

Paul further prays that wisdom and revelation will touch a sensitive cord in the inner most man of each Ephesian Christian (Acts 26:16-18). Instead of being blind to the truth (Matthew 13:13-15), Paul wanted them to realize the wonderful blessings that were theirs. They had the forgiveness of sins. They enjoyed fellowship with Christ on earth. Their hope was for an eternal home in glory with the Father and the Son (Ephesians 1:18; 1 Timothy 1:13-15; 2 Timothy 1:1-2; 1 John 1:3; 1 Peter 1:10-11).

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