Paul Prays for Us (in Ephesians 1:15-23)

In the earlier part of chapter one, we received confirmation that God knows each one of us and has chosen us to have a relationship with Him. We have also read here about the process of salvation that operates as we approach God in confession and trust. God cleanses us through want Jesus has done for us, and then prepare us for our future lives with the gifts that we can best use in the church’s corporate witness to Jesus through the Holy Spirit. In this way we have been returned to an experience of true humanity.

We also sense in these verses the operation of the Divine Trinity. We read here of God’s great planning – so we can understand God as the architect of salvation; of Jesus sacrificing for the cause of redemption – Jesus is the agent of salvation; and of the Holy Spirit guaranteeing our ability to stay on track and be fruitful – the Holy Spirit is the seal of salvation. The functions of the three persons of the Divine Community of God are perfectly united toward our best interests and the best interests of the world community.

We have said that it is unlikely that Paul wrote this letter himself personally, but rather that it represents his theology, teaching and pastoral care passed on by his followers and students. This was for the edification of the churches in Ephesus, but no doubt also for all the church communities who would gain access to this significant message. In the second half of this chapter we have a glimpse into the prayer life of Paul, and his great concern for the ongoing well-being of the followers of Jesus. Thus it is safe for us to respond to this text as Paul’s prayer for us!

The intention of this prayer was towards the strengthening of Christ’s Church. If the congregations of such churches could just take fully on board the fullness of everything God has on offer, what an impact there will be! We see this at the conclusion of the prayer (v.22-23):
"And he has put all things under his [Jesus’] feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." Jesus as head of the church is able to fill the whole body with all of himself – all the believers in all the necessary ways!

Before interceding, Paul brings his expressions of thanksgiving. Paul is grateful for those who have placed their faith in Jesus, and are expressing their love for one another in their Christian assemblies (v.15); in fact so much so that he is unceasing in the thanksgiving he expresses to God. This is the absolute height of a human condition. God has to observe many people just going through the motions in life; God also has the pain of observing people who are suffering under all sorts of violence and addiction. Fortunately God can also rejoice over those who are embracing the two most important components of life:
· placing their faith in the Lord Jesus … meaning that it will be Jesus who will be guiding their path and dealing with their trials, and
· loving those who become a part of your regular worshipping community (described here as “the saints”, meaning those who are also ‘set apart’ as members of God’s Kingdom).

This ties nicely in with Jesus’ teaching about the greatest commandments – the two mentioned by Jesus of course going hand in hand: a love for God with everything we have … heart, soul, mind & strength, proved in practice by … an unrestricted, unrestrained love for neighbour. Paul here rejoices over the evidence he has seen and heard of such behaviour in the various Christian communities of the first century CE, and brings multitudinous thanksgiving to God. This is why Paul has suffered so much for the Gospel, that those who have been reached … might place their faith wholly in Jesus and love one another. This evidence of faith and love both vindicates and inspires Paul.

What else could we need? That is what Paul will now pray for … interceding before God for our most urgent needs! The needs quoted are: “wisdom” and “revelation”. Collectively this would indicate the need to clearly understand the significance of the scriptural truths given to us, and to be able to apply this in everyday living.

We each need such “wisdom” and “revelation” so that the “eyes of [our] heart [are] enlightened”. This would mean that we have an increased or greater sense of God in and around us, thereby coming to know God better. This would also mean we are more aware of or understand better what is happening around us … what is occurring and why; making us more ready and prepared to respond effectively and helpfully. This would mean that our thinking is more focussed, our feelings/emotions are more stable, and our decision making is more reliable.

With the “eyes of [our] heart enlightened” we can in turn experience even greater blessings (v.18-19):

Ø knowing the hope to which we have been called – a life lived with the (eternal) companionship of Jesus,

Ø understanding the riches of God’s glorious inheritance – an acceptance into God’s family with all the benefits one would expect as a natural child, and

Ø experiencing the immeasurable greatness of God’s power.

There has been no greater demonstration of God’s power, than has been seen in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, restoring Jesus to his place next to God where they reside together (far above all mere human capacity to rule or control, far above all human pretension toward power and renown). Here, from the home of God, Jesus reigns as head of his new earthly body – the church. In this way, the life of Jesus is clearly seen amongst us. And it will be … that as the members of that body of Christ – the church – humble themselves under the headship of Jesus, that we will too experience “the immeasurable greatness of [God’s] power”. Paul emphasises that the extraordinary divine force by which Jesus Christ was raised is the same power at work in his followers. How??

How would we recognise the movement of God’s great power??? What evidence would we see?
Ø People in the church are growing in their spiritual life and in the use of their gifts … they are flourishing in their living and their serving {despite all the hassles of life – this is still what we’re looking for – a flourishing life}! So, the movement of God’s power can be seen in how believers deal with temptations, trials and tragedies.
Ø When we pray – things happen!
Ø That there is courage in witnessing for Jesus … courage that is basically beyond our human capacity (without God). And when we step out in faith – people are touched by the presence of Jesus!
Ø People being attracted to the light of Jesus (out of the darkness that otherwise surrounds them)
Ø Ultimately, there begins to be a groundswell of interest in defeating injustice (in all areas of society), offering mercy, and taking notice of the re-creative purposes of God. What did Micah record as God’s chief requirements for his people??? ‘Do Justice, Love Mercy (or Kindness), and Walk Humbly with your God’!
Ø The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that makes a difference in the world – it is the power that forgives, the power that transforms!!

If we look at ourselves and stop with the obvious human limitations, at the same time looking at the complexities and difficulties around us (just in our neighbourhoods … let alone in the whole world), we could get very discouraged. However, this is not the end of the story – this is certainly not all there is to see; for we have the ‘immeasurable greatness of the power of God’ at our disposal! We have all the fullness of the person of Jesus available at close quarters!!

Paul prays for all the potential of God to be real to us who are believers. We need this to be so! The community around us needs this to be so. We are their hope to find true humanity in the fullness of Jesus.