Chptr 1-EPHESIANS
Eph. 1: 1-23
1st Ephesians Prayer – Prayer for the Saints vs 15-23 (prayer for dullness of perception and discernment)
(Eph 1:15) Therefore I also, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints,
(Eph 1:16) (I) do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,
1:15 I am sure you can appreciate how the news of your faith and love greatly inspires me.
1:16 I am so happy for you; my thoughts and prayers are full of you. Mirror
Related Scriptures:
(Eph 6:18) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance andsupplication for all saints.
(Col 1:3-4) We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;
The preceding 12 verses (vss. 3-14) represent a single sentence in the Greek New Testament. Paul, in those 12 verses, traced the entire program of God for His children from eternity past to eternity future. He now shares with his readers his prayer burden for their spiritual enlightenment.
Paul admonishes the believers at Ephesus of their faith and love
Admonish-to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner. This, however, is not a warning or disapproval but an approval.
After he had heard of the Ephesians’ faith in Jesus Christ and their love for all the saints, he initiated a personal prayer campaign for them. He unceasingly gave thanks for them in his prayers. Often Christians are driven to prayer upon the awareness of difficulties or hard times, for themselves or others, but it is rare to find them so driven as the result of good news. Here Paul finds it appropriate to praise and thank God for the good fortune and report of other brethren—a great example for all believers.
It was their faith in and of the Lord Jesus (established from the faith of God in them) that brought them eternal salvation, but it was their love for the saints that demonstrated the reality of their inner conversion to Christ—they showed others their living faith by their divine good (works)—James 2:18.
It is important to note that the Lord Jesus is the true object of their faith—not a creed, a church or any earthly person. Only Jesus is worthy of the Christian’s faith—both for salvation and sanctification (Colossians 2:6-7).
The last point regarding verse 15 is that when a believer experiences a livingfaith, which is a genuine trust in Jesus to provide the filling of (control by) the Holy Spirit, he will in fact love other Christians.
Faith and Love Work Together – Colossians 1:4
Love and Faith. Faith Opens the Door to Belief
Love Opens the Door to God’s Kingdom
There is an incredible relationship between Love and Faith. They are inseparable. Let’s compare their roles and their relationship to each other:
LOVE
I Corinthians 13:7 (Love) bears all things, (Love) believes all things, (Love) hopes all things, (Love) endures all things. (8) Love never fails.
God’s love in our hearts actually does the believing.
Eph 5:2 walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us….
Romans 5:5 ..hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Love turns our hopes into faith.
FAITH
Jude 20 But you beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (21) keeping ourselves in the love of God….
Faith only truly exists within the heart, while God’s love is active.
II Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight…
Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
Faith in and faith of God
We also have the same faith that Paul had.
Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Paul did not say that he lived by faith IN the Son of God but by the faith OF the Son of God. The measure of faith that Paul had was the same measure that Jesus had. It was Jesus’ faith. If there is only one measure of faith (Rom. 12:3), then we also have the faith of Jesus.
Faith does the work of love’s desires
Giving Thanks to God: What 99% of prayer and communication should be.
Psalm 136:2-3 – Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:8-9 – Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his miracles.
Psalm 136:4-9 – Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to him who placed the earth on the water. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights — His faithful love endures forever. The sun to rule the day, His faithful love endures forever and the moon and stars to rule the night. His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 118:1 – Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 138:2 – I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.
Jeremiah 33:11 – The sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the LORD. They will sing, `Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever!’ For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the LORD.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Notice the Word says give thanks in everything not for everything
Heb. 12:28-29 “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
2 Cor 9:15″Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
Rev. 11:7″We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.”
Rev. 7:12″Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”
Giving Thanks to the Lord
The Power of a Grateful Heart, 7 Things It Can Do:
- It gets our eyes off ourselves, and helps us to focus back on God.
- It reminds us we’re not in control, but that we serve a Mighty God who is. It keeps us in a place of humility and dependency on Him, as we recognize how much we need Him.
- It helps us to recognize we have so much to be thankful for, even all of the little things, which often we may forget to thank Him for…but they really are the biggest, most important things in this life. It takes our attention off of our problems and helps us instead to reflect on, to remember, the goodness of His many blessings.
- It reminds us that God is the Giver of all good gifts. We were never intended to be fully self-sufficient in this life. A grateful heart reminds us that ultimately God is our Provider, that all blessings and gifts are graciously given to us by His hand.
- A heart of gratitude leaves no room for complaining. For it is impossible to be truly thankful and filled with negativity and ungratefulness at the same time.
- It makes the enemy flee. The forces of darkness can’t stand to be around hearts that give thanks and honor to God. Our praise and thanksgiving will make them flee.
- It opens up the door for continued blessings. It invites His presence. Our spirits are refreshed and renewed in Him. God loves to give good gifts to His children.
I am thankful for my health, stamina, energy, my family and friends, my brain power that God has given me and for Holy Spirit who guides me everyday. There is much more, but I challenge you to get up every morning thanking for your life.
Ephesians 1:16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
(Eph 1:17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation (understanding) in the knowledge of Him,
1:17 I desire that your knowledge of the Father will be undiluted, that you will draw directly from the source; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ imparts the spirit of wisdom to you in the unveiling of His Master Plan (glory.) Mirror
Remember this is one long sentence from Eph. 1:16-23
Related Scriptures:
(Col 1:9) For this cause we also, since the day we heard, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
(1Co 2:9-12) But as it is written, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,” nor has it entered into the heart of man, “the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of man within him? So also no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit from God, so that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God.
(Eph 1:18) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
1:18 I pray that your thoughts will be flooded with light and revelation knowledge; that you will clearly picture His intent in identifying you in Him so that you may know how precious you are to Him. The saints are His treasure and the glorious trophy of His portion! (We are God’s assets and the measure of His wealth!)Mirror
Gk. Word here is photoizo- exposed to light
Unbeliever-(Acts 26:18) in order to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God, so that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.
Believer- (John 15:7) If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you and John 15:5, 2 Cor. 5:17
What does it mean to abide?
Abide in the Gk. Means in relationship, married to, rooted in Christ.
(Eph 1:19) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us, the ones believing according to (to the same degree) the working of His mighty strength (megos).
1:19 I pray that you will understand beyond all comparison the magnitude of His power towards us who believe.Mirror
Meaning dominion, strength, manifested power (strong in the power of His might) Eph. 6:10
Paul prayed specifically for spiritual illumination so that we might become increasingly more aware of all the components of God’s inheritance and His power. He specifically prayed the following :
1. That God will give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Even though the Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation” (Isaiah 11:2; 1 Corinthians 2:10), this is not referring to Him. The Holy Spirit in fact indwells permanently every believer. Paul is not praying that these Ephesian Christians receive something that they already have. Here he is using a figure of speech that refers to the ability to possess revelation (doctrine) and the ability to properly use it (wisdom).
2. That their “eyes of their understanding” (hearts) be enlightened.
The word “understanding” is the translation of the Greek word dianoias, which means “understanding, intellect or mind.” This is the word used in the King James Version and the New King James Version of the Bible; although, in most ancient Greek manuscripts and the majority of existing Greek manuscripts the word kardias is used, which is translated “hearts.”
In Scripture the word “heart” is rarely used as the physical organ (2 Samuel 18:14; 2 Kings 9:24). In most cases it is used figuratively in various ways, such as:
(1) the inner man (Psalm 44:21; Proverbs 25:3),
(2) the consciousness center (Exodus 7:23; Deuteronomy 29:4; Proverbs 22:17; Isaiah 42:25; 44:18; Acts 16:14; Luke 2:19),
(3) the emotional center (Isaiah 65:14; Psalm 27:14; 2 Samuel 17:10; Proverbs 12:25; 25:20; Ecclesiastes 2:20; Nehemiah 2:2; Deuteronomy 28:28),
(4) the moral center (Psalm 17:3; Jeremiah 12:31; 17:10; 20:12; Psalm 26:2; Proverbs 11:20; 17:20; 26:23; Job 36:13; Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 18:31; 36:26),
(5) the seat of the conscience (Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 3:19-21), (6) the receptacle of the love and peace of God (Romans 5:5; Colossians 3:15) and
(7) the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit and the Lord (2 Corinthians :22; Ephesians 3:17).
I teach the heart is the mind of the spirit.
Romans 8:27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ESV
Therefore, whichever Greek word the reader believes to be correct, the meaning is the same. Paul prayed that their minds or intellect and hearts regarding spiritual issues would be improved.
We deem this as the theological terms legal and vital positions.
Our legal position is what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross, ( finished work) while our living /vital condition is what Jesus requires of us in our response to Him. In our legal position, we stand before God by possessing His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). Our legal standing before God is so glorious that it will never be improved upon—not even with the perfection of a resurrected body—because we received Christ’s very own righteousness. Our legal position relates to receiving His righteousness instantly on the day that we are born from above.
Our living/vital condition, on the other hand, relates to growing in righteousness progressively as our mind is renewed, causing our behavior and emotions to be transformed by the Holy Spirit in us.
Ephesians 1:16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
(Eph 1:17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation (understanding) in the knowledge of Him,
1:17 I desire that your knowledge of the Father will be undiluted, that you will draw directly from the source; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ imparts the spirit of wisdom to you in the unveiling of His Master Plan (glory.) Mirror
Remember this is one long sentence from Eph. 1:16-23
Related Scriptures:
(Col 1:9) For this cause we also, since the day we heard, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
(1Co 2:9-12) But as it is written, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,” nor has it entered into the heart of man, “the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of man within him? So also no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit from God, so that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God.
(Eph 1:18) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
1:18 I pray that your thoughts will be flooded with light and revelation knowledge; that you will clearly picture His intent in identifying you in Him so that you may know how precious you are to Him. The saints are His treasure and the glorious trophy of His portion! (We are God’s assets and the measure of His wealth!)Mirror
Gk. Word here is photoizo- exposed to light
Unbeliever-(Acts 26:18) in order to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God, so that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.
Believer- (John 15:7) If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you and John 15:5, 2 Cor. 5:17
What does it mean to abide?
Abide in the Gk. Means in relationship, married to, rooted in Christ.
(Eph 1:19) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us, the ones believing according to (to the same degree) the working of His mighty strength (megos).
1:19 I pray that you will understand beyond all comparison the magnitude of His power towards us who believe.Mirror
Meaning dominion, strength, manifested power (strong in the power of His might) Eph. 6:10
Paul prayed specifically for spiritual illumination so that we might become increasingly more aware of all the components of God’s inheritance and His power. He specifically prayed the following :
1. That God will give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Even though the Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation” (Isaiah 11:2; 1 Corinthians 2:10), this is not referring to Him. The Holy Spirit in fact indwells permanently every believer. Paul is not praying that these Ephesian Christians receive something that they already have. Here he is using a figure of speech that refers to the ability to possess revelation (doctrine) and the ability to properly use it (wisdom).
2. That their “eyes of their understanding” (hearts) be enlightened.
The word “understanding” is the translation of the Greek word dianoias, which means “understanding, intellect or mind.” This is the word used in the King James Version and the New King James Version of the Bible; although, in most ancient Greek manuscripts and the majority of existing Greek manuscripts the word kardias is used, which is translated “hearts.”
In Scripture the word “heart” is rarely used as the physical organ (2 Samuel 18:14; 2 Kings 9:24). In most cases it is used figuratively in various ways, such as:
(1) the inner man (Psalm 44:21; Proverbs 25:3),
(2) the consciousness center (Exodus 7:23; Deuteronomy 29:4; Proverbs 22:17; Isaiah 42:25; 44:18; Acts 16:14; Luke 2:19),
(3) the emotional center (Isaiah 65:14; Psalm 27:14; 2 Samuel 17:10; Proverbs 12:25; 25:20; Ecclesiastes 2:20; Nehemiah 2:2; Deuteronomy 28:28),
(4) the moral center (Psalm 17:3; Jeremiah 12:31; 17:10; 20:12; Psalm 26:2; Proverbs 11:20; 17:20; 26:23; Job 36:13; Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 18:31; 36:26),
(5) the seat of the conscience (Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 3:19-21), (6) the receptacle of the love and peace of God (Romans 5:5; Colossians 3:15) and
(7) the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit and the Lord (2 Corinthians :22; Ephesians 3:17).
I teach the heart is the mind of the spirit.
Romans 8:27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ESV
Therefore, whichever Greek word the reader believes to be correct, the meaning is the same. Paul prayed that their minds or intellect and hearts regarding spiritual issues would be improved.
We deem this as the theological terms legal and vital positions.
Our legal position is what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross, ( finished work) while our living /vital condition is what Jesus requires of us in our response to Him. In our legal position, we stand before God by possessing His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). Our legal standing before God is so glorious that it will never be improved upon—not even with the perfection of a resurrected body—because we received Christ’s very own righteousness. Our legal position relates to receiving His righteousness instantly on the day that we are born from above.
Our living/vital condition, on the other hand, relates to growing in righteousness progressively as our mind is renewed, causing our behavior and emotions to be transformed by the Holy Spirit in us.
Ephesians 1:22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
1:22 I want you to see this: He subjected all these powers under His feet. He towers head and shoulders above everything. He is the head, Mirror
Ephesians 1:23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
1:23 the church (His redeemed image and likeness in man) is His body. The completeness of His being that fills all in all resides in us! God cannot make Himself more visible or exhibit Himself more accurately.
The four wall building is a gathering. The church is an living organism with Christ as the Head, the shoulders to speak.
Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,and the government will be on his shoulders.
We are the ecclesia, the called out ones, the goeverning body in the earth.
Related Scriptures:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. Colossians 1:18
He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.John 2:19-22
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body.Galatians 3:27
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Colossians 2:19
and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Ephesians 4:11-15 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [a]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
Ephesians 4:15-16 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Romans 12:6-8 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
The Fullness of Him Who Fills All in All
Christ fills all in all. Or as the present tense and the middle voice imply: Christ is now filling for himself all in all. Christ is filling every sphere of existence everywhere in the universe. “Filling all things” is what Jesus/Yeshua does with the authority he has as the risen ruler over all things.
He is “above ALL rule” (v. 21). He is over “EVERY name” (v. 21). God put “ALL THINGS” under his feet (v. 22). He is head over “ALL THINGS” (v. 22). And by this authority he will sovereignly fill all his territories with absolute sway. He will accomplish his purpose in every sphere. He will make himself unmistakably known in every place. He will be preeminent in every nook and cranny of the universe. Even the outer darkness of hell will be filled with his authority and His power and the knowledge of his wisdom.
Romans 14:11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”
Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
Notice Romans 14:11 and Phil 2:10 in most translations say, “Every knee shall or will bow. NKJ says should.
“Your kingdom come, your will be done in earth (me) as it is in Heaven.” Matt. 6:10
Conclusion to Ephesians Chapter 1
OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION (1-3)
A. THE AUTHOR (1a)
1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
2. By the will of God
B. THE RECIPIENTS (1b)
1. The saints (who are in Ephesus)
2. The faithful in Christ Jesus
C. THE SALUTATION (2)
1. Grace and peace
2. From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
D. THE THEME OF THE EPISTLE (3)
1. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be blessed
(praised)
2. For He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places in Christ
II. OUR SPIRITUAL POSSESSIONS IN CHRIST (3-14)
A. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE FATHER (4-6)
1. We are chosen by God (4)
a. Chosen in Christ before the world began
b. Chosen to holy and without blame before Him in love
2. We are predestined by God (5-6a)
a. Predestined to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself
b. Predestined according to the good pleasure of His Will
— To the praise of His glorious grace
3. We are accepted by God (6)
a. Accepted by virtue of His glorious grace
b. Accepted in the Beloved (Christ)
B. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE SON (7-12)
1. God has redeemed us (7a)
a. Redeemed in Christ
b. Redeemed through His blood
2. God has forgiven us (7b-8)
a. Forgiven us of our sins
b. Forgiven us according to the riches of His grace
1) Which God has made to abound toward us
2) Abounding in all wisdom and prudence
3. God has revealed His will to us (9-10)
a. Revealed the mystery of His will
1) According to His good pleasure
2) Which He purposed in Himself
b. Revealed how He will gather together in one all things in
Christ
1) Things in heaven
2) Things on earth
4. God has given us an inheritance (11-12)
a. An inheritance predestined by God
1) According to His purpose
2) Who works all things according to His will
b. An inheritance…
1) For those who first trusted in Christ
2) So they can be to the praise of God’s glory
C. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE HOLY SPIRIT (13-14)
1. The Holy Spirit is our “seal” (13)
a. Having trusted in Christ after hearing the word of truth,
the gospel of salvation
b. Having believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of
promise
2. The Holy Spirit is our “guarantee” (14)
a. The guarantee of our inheritance
b. The guarantee until the redemption of the purchased
possession
— To the praise of God’s glory
III. PAUL’S FIRST PRAYER: FOR THEIR ENLIGHTENMENT (15-23)
A. THAT WHICH PRECIPITATED HIS PRAYER (15-16)
1. Having heard of their:
a. Faith in the Lord Jesus
b. Love for all their saints
2. Resulting in his:
a. Unceasing thanks for them
b. Making mention of them in his prayers
B. THE CONTENT OF HIS PRAYER (17-23)
1. To whom addressed (17a)
a. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ
b. The Father of glory
2. That God would…
a. Give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation (17b)
b. Enlighten the eyes of their understanding (18a)
3. That they might know…
a. The knowledge of God (17c)
b. The hope of His calling (18b)
c. The riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints)18c)
d. The exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe (19a)
4. Regarding this power toward us who believe…
a. It is according to working of God’s mighty power in Christ(19b-20a)
b. The same mighty power which…
1) Raised Christ from the dead (20b)
2) Seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places (20c-21)
a) Far above all principality, power, might, dominion, and every name
b) Not only in this age, but also in that which is to
come
3) Put all things under His feet (22a)
4) Gave Him to be head over all things to the church (22b-23)
a) Which is His body
b) Which is the fullness of Him who fills all in all
I’ve included a personalized EPHESIANS, COLOSSIANS, PHILIPPIANS AND GALATIANS PRAYERS.
EPHESIANS, COLOSSIANS, PHILIPPIANS AND GALATIANS PRAYERS
Ephesians 1:18-19, 3:16-19; Philippians 1:3,9:11; Colossians 1:9-10, 23; 2:6; 3:1; 4:3, 12; Galatians 5:18,22 6:8
I have not stopped giving thanks for _________________, remembering _____________in my prayers. I ask that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give ____________ the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, [of insight into mysteries and secrets] so that (he/she) may know (the deep and intimate ) knowledge of Him. I pray also that the eyes of ____________’s heart may be enlightened (eyes of your heart flooded with light) in order that (he/she) may know the hope to which He has called (him/her), the riches of (his/her) glorious inheritance in the saints, (His set-apart ones) and[that you can know and understand] His incomparably great power for us who believe. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen ____________ with power through His Spirit in _____________’s inner being, so that Christ may dwell in ____________’s heart through faith. And I pray that ____________ , being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that may be filled to the measure of all the full fullness of God. And this is my prayer: that ____________’s love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that ____________ may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. I always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for ________________, because I know of your faith in Christ Jesus. I pray that God would fill ____________ with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And I pray this in order that may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that ____________ may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to the Father, who has qualified ____________ to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. I pray that ____________ continue in (his/her) faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the Gospel. I pray that just as ____________ has received Christ Jesus as Lord, that he/she continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith, and overflowing with thankfulness. Since ____________ is raised with Christ, may ____________ set his/her heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. And may his/her mind be set on things above, not on earthly things. And I pray that God may open a door for ____________’s message, so that ____________ may proclaim the mystery of Christ. And I pray that may proclaim it clearly. May ____________ be a wrestler in prayer for others. May (he/she) stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I pray that ____________ will live by the Spirit, keep step with the Spirit and be filled with the Spirit. May the fruit of the Spirit increase: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. May ____________ sow to please the Spirit. I pray that ____________ will be led by the Spirit so that (he/she) will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature because ____________ sin nature is dead and ____________may glorify You in every way. AMEN