Ephesians 1:15
Verse
Context
Spiritual Wisdom
14who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
Sermons
Paris Reidhead
Wesley DuewelParis Reidhead
T. Austin-Sparks
Jim Cymbala
Zac Poonen
Eryl DaviesSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Faith in the Lord Jesus - Cordial reception of the Christian religion, amply proved by their love to all the saints - to all the Christians. Perhaps love here implies, not only the kind affection so called, but also all the fruits of love - benevolence, and kind offices of every description.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Wherefore--because ye are in Christ and sealed by His Spirit (Eph 1:13-14). I also--on my part, in return for God's so great benefits to you. after I heard--ever since I have heard. Not implying that he had only heard of their conversion: an erroneous argument used by some against the address of this Epistle to the Ephesians (see on Eph 1:1); but referring to the report he had heard since he was with them, as to their Christian graces. So in the case of Philemon, his "beloved fellow laborer" (Plm 1:1), he uses the same words (Plm 1:4-5). your faith--rather, as Greek, "the faith among you," that is, which many (not all) of you have. love unto all the saints--of whatever name, simply because they are saints. A distinguishing characteristic of true Christianity (Eph 6:24). "Faith and love he often joins together. A wondrous pair" [CHRYSOSTOM]. Hope is added, Eph 1:18.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Wherefore I also,.... As well as others: after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus; who is the immediate object of faith, and a very proper and suitable one; having every thing in him that is agreeable to the case and circumstances of those that trust in him. And the grace of faith, which terminates on him, is a seeing him, a beholding the glory of his person, and the fulness of his grace; a going to him, and venturing on him; a laying hold upon him, and embracing of him; a committing all unto him, and a leaning and depending on him, and a living upon him, and a walking on in him. And love unto all the saints: whether Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, greater or lesser believers, of meaner gifts, or larger abilities; and which love was unfeigned, fervent, active, and laborious; and which is the evidence of regeneration, and without which a profession is in vain. These two graces, faith and love, are inseparable; they always go together, and are to be found in the same persons; and where they are, they cannot be hid, as they were not in these Ephesians; their faith was professed by them, and was made public, and their love showed itself in deeds, as well as in words, to the saints: hence the apostle came to hear of them both, upon the certain relation of others; for these things were come abroad, and were talked of; See Gill on Col 1:3. See Gill on Col 1:4. See Gill on Plm 1:4. See Gill on Plm 1:5.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We have come to the last part of this chapter, which consists of Paul's earnest prayer to God in behalf of these Ephesians. We should pray for the persons for whom we give thanks. Our apostle blesses God for what he had done for them, and then he prays that he would do more for them. He gives thanks for spiritual blessings, and prays for further supplies of them; for God will for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them. He has laid up these spiritual blessings for us in the hands of his Son, the Lord Jesus; but then he has appointed us to draw them out, and fetch them in, by prayer. We have no part nor lot in the matter, any further than we claim it by faith and prayer. One inducement to pray for them was the good account he had of them, of their faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints, Eph 1:15. Faith in Christ, and love to the saints, will be attended with all other graces. Love to the saints, as such, and because they are such, must include love to God. Those who love saints, as such, love all saints, how weak in grace, how mean in the world, how fretful and peevish soever, some of them may be. Another inducement to pray for them was because they had received the earnest of the inheritance: this we may observe from the words being connected with the preceding ones by the particle wherefore. "Perhaps you will think that, having received the earnest, it should follow, therefore you are happy enough, and need take no further care: you need not pray for yourselves, nor I for you." No, quite the contrary. Wherefore - I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, Eph 1:16. While he blesses God for giving them the Spirit, he ceases not to pray that he would give unto them the Spirit (Eph 1:17), that he would give greater measures of the Spirit. Observe, Even the best of Christians need to be prayed for: and, while we hear well of our Christian friends, we should think ourselves obliged to intercede with God for them, that they may abound and increase yet more and more. Now what is it that Paul prays for in behalf of the Ephesians? Not that they might be freed from persecution; nor that they might possess the riches, honours, or pleasures of the world; but the great thing he prays for is the illumination of their understandings, and that their knowledge might increase and abound: he means it of a practical and experimental knowledge. The graces and comforts of the Spirit are communicated to the soul by the enlightening of the understanding. In this way he gains and keeps possession. Satan takes a contrary way: he gets possession by the senses and passions, Christ by the understanding. Observe, I. Whence this knowledge must come from the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, Eph 1:17. The Lord is a God of knowledge, and there is no sound saving knowledge but what comes from him; and therefore to him we must look for it, who is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ (see Eph 1:3) and the Father of glory. It is a Hebraism. God is infinitely glorious in himself all glory is due to him from his creatures, and he is the author of all that glory with which his saints are or shall be invested. Now he gives knowledge by giving the Spirit of knowledge; for the Spirit of God is the teacher of the saints, the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. We have the revelation of the Spirit in the word: but will that avail us, if we have not the wisdom of the Spirit in the heart? If the same Spirit who indited the sacred scriptures do not take the veil from off our hearts, and enable us to understand and improve them, we shall be never the better. - In the knowledge of him, or for the acknowledgment of him; not only a speculative knowledge of Christ, and of what relates to him, but an acknowledgment of Christ's authority by an obedient conformity to him, which must be by the help of the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. This knowledge is first in the understanding. He prays that the eyes of their understanding may be enlightened, Eph 1:18. Observe, Those who have their eyes opened, and have some understanding in the things of God, have need to be more and more enlightened, and to have their knowledge more clear, and distinct, and experimental. Christians should not think it enough to have warm affections, but they should labour to have clear understandings; they should be ambitious of being knowing Christians, and judicious Christians. II. What it is that he more particularly desire they should grow in the knowledge of. 1. The hope of his calling, Eph 1:18. Christianity is our calling. God has called us to it, and on that account it is said to be his calling. There is a hope in this calling; for those who deal with God deal upon trust. And it is a desirable thing to know what this hope of our calling is, to have such an acquaintance with the immense privileges of God's people, and the expectations they have from God, and with respect to the heavenly world, as to be quickened thereby to the utmost diligence and patience in the Christian course. We ought to labour after, and pray earnestly for, a clearer insight into, and a fuller acquaintance with, the great objects of a Christian's hopes. 2. The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Besides the heavenly inheritance prepared for the saints, there is a present inheritance in the saints; for grace is glory begun, and holiness is happiness in the bud. There is a glory in this inheritance, riches of glory, rendering the Christian more excellent and more truly honourable than all about him: and it is desirable to know this experimentally, to be acquainted with the principles, pleasures, and powers, of the spiritual and divine life. It may be understood of the glorious inheritance in or among the saints in heaven, where God does, as it were, lay forth all his riches, to make them happy and glorious, and where all that the saints are in possession of is transcendently glorious, as the knowledge that can be attained of this upon earth is very desirable, and must be exceedingly entertaining and delightful. Let us endeavour then, by reading, contemplation, and prayer, to know as much of heaven as we can, that we may be desiring and longing to be there. 3. The exceeding greatness of God's power towards those who believe, Eph 1:19. The practical belief of the all-sufficiency of God, and of the omnipotence of divine grace, is absolutely necessary to a close and steady walking with him. It is a desirable thing to know experimentally the mighty power of that grace beginning and carrying on the work of faith in our souls. It is a difficult thing to bring a soul to believe in Christ, and to venture its all upon his righteousness, and upon the hope of eternal life. It is nothing less than an almighty power that will work this in us. The apostle speaks here with a mighty fluency and copiousness of expression, and yet, at the same time, as if he wanted words to express the exceeding greatness of God's almighty power, that power which God exerts towards his people, and by which he raised Christ from the dead, Eph 1:20. That indeed was the great proof of the truth of the gospel to the world: but the transcript of that in ourselves (our sanctification, and rising from the death of sin, in conformity to Christ's resurrection) is the great proof to us. Though this cannot prove the truth of the gospel to another who knows nothing of the matter (there the resurrection of Christ is the proof), yet to be able to speak experimentally, as the Samaritans, "We have heard him ourselves, we have felt a mighty change in our hearts," will make us able to say, with the fullest satisfaction, Now we believe, and are sure, that this is the Christ, the Son of God. Many understand the apostle here as speaking of that exceeding greatness of power which God will exert for raising the bodies of believers to eternal life, even the same mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him, etc. And how desirable a thing must it be to become at length acquainted with that power, by being raised out of the grave thereby unto eternal life! Having said something of Christ and his resurrection, the apostle digresses a little from the subject he is upon to make some further honourable mention of the Lord Jesus and his exaltation. He sits at the Father's right hand in the heavenly places, etc., Eph 1:20, Eph 1:21. Jesus Christ is advanced above all, and he is set in authority over all, they being made subject to him. All the glory of the upper world, and all the powers of both worlds, are entirely devoted to him. The Father hath put all things under his feet (Eph 1:22), according to the promise, Psa 110:1. All creatures whatsoever are in subjection to him; they must either yield him sincere obedience or fall under the weight of his sceptre, and receive their doom from him. God GAVE him to be head over all things. It was a gift to Christ, considered as a Mediator, to be advanced to such dominion and headship, and to have such a mystical body prepared for him: and it was a gift to the church, to be provided with a head endued with so much power and authority. God gave him to be the head over all things. He gave him all power both in heaven and in earth. The Father loves the Son, and hath given ALL things into his hands. But that which completes the comfort of this is that he is the head over all things to the church; he is entrusted with all power, that is, that he may dispose of all the affairs of the providential kingdom in subserviency to the designs of his grace concerning his church. With this therefore we may answer the messengers of the nations, that the Lord hath founded Zion. The same power that supports the world support the church; and we are sure he loves his church, for it is his body (Eph 1:23), his mystical body, and he will care for it. It is the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Jesus Christ filleth all in all; he supplies all defects in all his members, filling them with his Spirit, and even with the fulness of God, Eph 3:19. And yet the church is said to be his fulness, because Christ as Mediator would not be complete if he had not a church. How could he be a king if he had not a kingdom? This therefore comes in to the honour of Christ, as Mediator, that the church is his fulness.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:15-23 Paul prays that his readers may have the spiritual understanding to grasp the full significance of God’s gifts (1:3-14). 1:15 Paul links faith in Christ with love for God’s people. Personal faith in Christ brings salvation, and salvation is expressed, above all, by a life of love (see Gal 5:6; Col 1:4; 1 Thes 1:3; 3:6; 5:8; 2 Thes 1:3; 1 Tim 1:14; 2:15; Titus 2:2).
Ephesians 1:15
Spiritual Wisdom
14who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Full Potential of Grace
By Paris Reidhead6.9K54:59Surrendering to GodGraceEPH 1:15Paris Reidhead emphasizes the transformative power of grace in the life of a believer, urging the congregation to present their entire selves to Christ so that He may live through them. He explains that this act of surrender allows believers to fulfill their purpose of bringing others from death to life, highlighting the importance of seeing others as God sees them. Reidhead encourages the faithful to understand their position in Christ, seated in the heavenly realms, and to recognize the power available to them through the resurrection of Jesus. He calls for a shift in perspective, from viewing the lost as unworthy to seeing them as potential heirs of God's grace. Ultimately, he challenges the church to engage in the spiritual battle for souls, relying on God's power to effect change.
Reigning With Christ Through Prayer
By Wesley Duewel4.2K44:18Prayer LifeEPH 1:15In this sermon, the speaker shares about an upcoming visit from Queen Elizabeth II and the preparations being made for her arrival. The speaker mentions that the sermon is to be 12 minutes long, which poses a challenge for the associate pastor delivering the message. The speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer and intercession, urging the congregation to pray for their city, country, and society. The sermon concludes with a call to prayer, inviting members of the congregation to lead in brief prayers for forgiveness, strength, and guidance.
Loved With Everlasting Love - Part 4
By Paris Reidhead3.2K47:33Everlasting LoveMAT 6:33ACT 17:30ROM 12:1EPH 1:15HEB 2:3In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of salvation and the role of each member of the Trinity in the process. The Father planned and purposed our salvation before the foundation of the world, while the Son provided and accomplished everything that the Father had planned. The Holy Spirit is responsible for perfecting and making real in us everything that the Father purposed and the Son provided. The ultimate goal of our salvation is to bring praise and glory to God. The speaker emphasizes the sovereignty of God and encourages the audience to trust in His plan and purpose for their lives.
The Glory of God - Part 3
By T. Austin-Sparks2.4K33:13Glory Of GodPSA 121:4ACT 12:7EPH 1:15PHP 2:13JAS 2:11PE 4:12In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the story of Peter's imprisonment and miraculous escape. He emphasizes the contradiction and confusion that arose when Peter found himself in the dungeon, bound and bleeding. The speaker suggests that it would have been impossible for any human effort to free Peter that night, as the forces of the world were determined to keep him captive. However, the Lord of glory intervened and sent an angel to release Peter from his chains and lead him to freedom. The speaker connects this story to the concept of glory, defining it as God's expression of satisfaction and delight, and encourages believers to rejoice in their participation in Christ's sufferings. The sermon concludes by highlighting the significance of Peter's letters, which were written years after his miraculous escape.
The Life God Blesses
By Jim Cymbala2.0K34:25Blessing Of GodEPH 1:15In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the book of Genesis and the story of Jacob before his death. Jacob speaks about his 12 sons, recounting their actions and experiences, even the unpleasant ones. The speaker then relates this to ministers and their journey in preaching the word of God. He emphasizes the importance of finishing well and not losing one's first love or relying on past successes. The speaker shares a personal experience of feeling overwhelmed and unable to preach, leading to a moment of prayer and surrender to God's will. He expresses his deep love for the congregation and desires for them to experience God's blessing above all else.
Enlarging Our Hearts
By Zac Poonen1.9K55:44CarnalityMAT 5:28EPH 1:15In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of patience and listening to God's word. He uses the example of the church in Ephesus, which started out strong but eventually declined spiritually. The speaker highlights the contrast between the large-heartedness of the Ephesian church and the narrow-mindedness of the Corinthians. He warns against the sin of jealousy, which he believes narrows the hearts of believers. The speaker also discusses the importance of seeking God for personal gain rather than for the glory of God. He addresses the issue of lusting with the eyes and emphasizes that it dishonors God. The speaker concludes by urging the audience to reflect on these teachings and apply them to their own lives.
The Glory of God in the Church
By Eryl Davies1.6K56:39Glory Of GodEPH 1:15In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of discipline in the Christian life. He mentions the examples of George Whitfield and John Wesley, who divided their days into specific time slots for sleep, work, prayer, and Bible reading. The speaker also shares a personal story of a Pentecostal pastor who decided to devote his late evening TV time to God and prayer, resulting in blessings for him and his family. The sermon then shifts to the topic of salvation and the transformation that occurs in a person's heart when they become a Christian. The speaker recounts a conversation with a man who recently became a believer after reading John 3:16 and experiencing conviction and a longing to know God.
Enlarging Our Hearts - Part 1
By Zac Poonen1.3K09:50EPH 1:15
This sermon focuses on the importance of having a wide and enlarged heart as opposed to a narrow heart like the Corinthian Christians. It emphasizes the need for faith in the Lord Jesus and love for all the saints to enlarge our hearts spiritually. The message highlights the tragic outcome of having a narrow heart despite being believers for many years and encourages believers to trust in God's perfect love and to embrace love towards others to experience the fullness of God's love.
Glory of His Inheritance
By Gareth Evans1.2K31:37InheritanceEPH 1:15EPH 1:17HEB 1:1In this sermon, the speaker reminisces about his time in a Christian male voice quartet and the impact it had on his Christian life. He shares fond memories of traveling and singing in various churches and evangelistic crusades. The speaker also discusses a powerful image of Jesus descending into hell and conquering Satan, taking the keys of death and hell. He emphasizes the importance of knowing God and receiving revelation from Him, and highlights the three categories of believers mentioned in John's letter: little children, young men, and fathers.
Getting Back to Basics: The Love We Had at First
By Robert Wurtz II1.2K44:42EPH 1:15EPH 2:4EPH 3:17EPH 3:19EPH 4:2EPH 4:16EPH 5:1EPH 5:25EPH 6:23In this sermon, the speaker continues their study on getting back to basics. They discuss the importance of becoming fishers of men and evangelizing to win souls for God. The speaker then introduces a new subject titled "the love that we had at first." They highlight the story of the church at Ephesus, who had once had a great love for Christ but gradually lost it. The speaker emphasizes the need for Christians to retrace their steps and rediscover their first love for God, as it is a travesty to give that love to someone or something else.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
By David Gooding1.2K1:00:24Holy Spirit1CO 12:12EPH 1:15EPH 1:18In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of valuing and helping others before seeking power. The story of Adam and Eve is used to illustrate how mankind's disobedience to God has led to the chaos and problems we see in the world today. The speaker also highlights the economic crisis and the selfishness of humanity that prevents the fair distribution of resources. The sermon concludes with the reminder that believers have a responsibility to prepare themselves for the future reign with Christ and to be prepared for His second coming, symbolized by the parable of the ten virgins and their lamps. The importance of having the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the oil in the lamps, is emphasized as a necessary preparation for the coming of Christ.
Ephesians 1 - Pauls Prayer - Part 2
By Gareth Evans1.2K04:59MAT 1:21JHN 13:351CO 13:2EPH 1:151JN 4:20
This sermon emphasizes the importance of our character and the significance of our name in reflecting who we are. It highlights the correlation between names in the Bible and the character of individuals, urging us to embody faith in God and love for one another. The speaker stresses the need for Christians to prioritize loving one another as a key aspect of truly knowing and experiencing God in a deeper way.
Ephesians 1 - Pauls Prayer - Part 3
By Gareth Evans1.2K04:59EPH 1:15
This sermon emphasizes the importance of having a foundation of faith and love before God reveals Himself to us. It discusses the distinction between common sense and wisdom, highlighting that true wisdom comes from the heart and is revealed by God. The story of Peter recognizing Jesus as the Christ through divine revelation is used as an example of how God reveals Himself to those with the character of faith and love.
Ephesians 1 - Paul's Prayer
By Gareth Evans1.1K48:14PrayerMAT 22:391CO 13:13EPH 1:151TH 1:3HEB 1:3HEB 10:24HEB 11:6In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about receiving a loan from the government and how it was a miracle. He emphasizes that this experience has deepened his understanding of God and his provision. The speaker also highlights the importance of having faith in Jesus Christ as a precondition to knowing God. He then shares a powerful moment in Mexico where he witnessed the brokenness of poverty and realized that God was calling him to bless Him by helping those in need.
A Sober Call to Personal Revival
By Jeff Colon1.1K56:37RevivalPSA 139:23MAT 6:33EPH 1:15REV 2:4In this sermon, Pastor Jeff Cologne addresses the issue of believers losing their first love for God. He emphasizes the importance of seeking God's face and relying on His strength rather than trying to accomplish things in our own power. The pastor shares a personal experience of a friend who took his own life due to financial struggles, highlighting the desperate need for people to see a living, breathing Jesus in the midst of their hopelessness. Pastor Cologne calls for a personal revival in the hearts of believers so that they can effectively impact their neighbors and bring hope to those who are contemplating suicide.
Continual Quickening - Part 1
By Ken Baird94653:442CO 4:16EPH 1:15EPH 1:181TI 4:1In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of quickening and the importance of sustaining our spiritual life. He explains that in our physical life, we apprehend things through our five senses, which give us consciousness. However, if we lose any of these senses, we become unconscious or dead. The preacher emphasizes the need for spiritual quickening and refers to passages from the Bible, such as Jeremiah, to illustrate the nourishment and sweetness that comes from the word of God. He also highlights the danger of being consumed by worldly pleasures and urges the listeners to seek spiritual sustenance from the Lord.
Unto Fulness #2 - the Vision of Fulness
By Stephen Kaung8991:19:48EPH 1:15EPH 1:18COL 1:15COL 1:19In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a vision in our spiritual lives. He uses the analogy of a farmer using a goat to gently touch the leg of an ox to show that we need discipline and to recognize that we have a master. The speaker then relates this to the story of Paul on the road to Damascus, where he realized for the first time that he had a master in Jesus Christ. The speaker concludes by stating that vision is essential for direction, unity, and endurance in our spiritual journey.
The God of Glory - the Delights of an Awakened Heart
By Aeron Morgan88753:37Glory Of GodPSA 19:8PSA 57:7PSA 119:18MAT 6:33ROM 8:11EPH 1:15EPH 1:18The sermon transcript discusses Psalm 57 and focuses on David's trust in God during turbulent times. The speaker emphasizes the importance of encountering God and being transformed by Him. The transcript also highlights David's choice to trust God instead of resorting to evil tactics in retaliation. The speaker references Psalm 7 and Ephesians 1 to further emphasize the need for seeking God's wisdom and revelation.
Faith
By Gareth Evans85048:29FaithEPH 1:15HEB 10:23In this sermon, the speaker shares an illustration of the gift of faith. The board of an inner-city church is concerned about the problems faced by the children in their community, such as drug abuse. They discuss the possibility of bringing in a young worker or pastor to reach out to these young people, but some board members are against it due to financial constraints. The pastor suggests that they pray about it and reconvene the following week. The speaker also mentions the importance of considering all relevant verses and not just selectively quoting them to support one's beliefs. Additionally, the speaker encourages the congregation to greet and get to know one another, and mentions visiting individuals who are in need of support.
Love
By Bill McLeod80842:16LoveROM 13:8ROM 13:10EPH 1:15COL 1:41TI 1:51JN 4:81JN 4:16In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a man named Justin who led a member of a notorious gang to Christ without knowing his identity. Later, the gang members confront Justin and physically assault him as a punishment. Despite this, Justin continues to show love and kindness to his neighbors, even when they reject him. The speaker emphasizes that love is the answer to dealing with evil and that God's nature is love. The sermon references Bible verses from Romans and 1 John to support the message.
Light Bulbs in Cardboard Cartons
By Paris Reidhead9458:57Christian LifeEPH 1:15In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing our inability to live the Christian life on our own. He shares a quote from Reginald Wallace, who said that the happiest day of his Christian life was when he realized he couldn't live it. The preacher highlights that while it may be unnatural for us, it is natural for Christ to live through us. He encourages believers to be genuine and real in their faith, acknowledging their shortcomings. The sermon also emphasizes the purpose of believers being witnesses for Christ and the importance of understanding God's passionate love for the world.
Apostolic Prayer: The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation
By Mike Bickle2751:02The Spirit of RevelationIntimacy With GodEPH 1:15Mike Bickle emphasizes the significance of the apostolic prayer found in Ephesians 1:15-23, which seeks the spirit of wisdom and revelation for deeper intimacy with God. He highlights that this prayer addresses the greatest spiritual needs in our lives and the necessity of persistent prayer to receive God's glory. Bickle warns against complacency in faith, urging believers to actively seek God's presence and understanding through prayer. He explains that the spirit of revelation allows us to see and feel as God does, empowering us to fulfill our divine assignments. Ultimately, this prayer is a call to experience God's power and presence in our lives, transforming our hearts and minds.
What God Is After (Silence, Inwardness, and "Love Unto All the Saints")
By Hans R. Waldvogel0Love for the SaintsInwardnessEPH 1:15Hans R. Waldvogel emphasizes the importance of inwardness and silence in the presence of God, asserting that true revival comes from a deep love for all the saints and a personal encounter with Jesus. He illustrates that the kingdom of God resides within us and that we must allow Jesus to speak to our hearts in silence. Waldvogel challenges the congregation to move beyond mere tolerance of one another to a genuine love that flows from God, which is essential for unity in the body of Christ. He encourages believers to cultivate an atmosphere of faith and prayer, which invites the presence of God into their gatherings. Ultimately, Waldvogel calls for a transformation that begins within, leading to a vibrant expression of love and community among believers.
The Centrality and Supremacy of Christ as "Head of All Principality and Power"
By T. Austin-Sparks0Supremacy Of ChristSpiritual AuthorityEPH 1:15T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the centrality and supremacy of Christ as the 'Head of all principality and power,' addressing the dangers of false teachings that diminish His divine authority. He warns against philosophies that elevate Christ to a high rank among spiritual beings while undermining His unique position in the Godhead. Sparks highlights that Christ's supremacy is demonstrated through His work of delivering believers from darkness and triumphing over all powers through His Cross. He encourages believers to recognize their identity in Christ, who has broken the authority of darkness, and to rely on Him for victory over spiritual struggles. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper understanding of Christ's work and its implications for both salvation and daily living.
Paul a Pattern of Prayer
By J. Wilbur Chapman0MRK 11:24JHN 14:14EPH 1:15EPH 3:17PHP 1:9COL 1:91TH 5:232TH 3:16HEB 11:6HEB 13:20JAS 5:161JN 1:9J. Wilbur Chapman preaches on the power of prayer, emphasizing Jesus' assurance that anything asked in His name will be done. Chapman highlights the importance of belief in Christ, faith in His promises, confession and forsaking of sins, and the exercise of faith in prayer. He draws inspiration from Paul's prayers for spiritual blessings such as Pentecost, perception, purity, power, perseverance, perfectness, and peace, guiding believers on how to pray effectively and align their will with God's.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Faith in the Lord Jesus - Cordial reception of the Christian religion, amply proved by their love to all the saints - to all the Christians. Perhaps love here implies, not only the kind affection so called, but also all the fruits of love - benevolence, and kind offices of every description.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Wherefore--because ye are in Christ and sealed by His Spirit (Eph 1:13-14). I also--on my part, in return for God's so great benefits to you. after I heard--ever since I have heard. Not implying that he had only heard of their conversion: an erroneous argument used by some against the address of this Epistle to the Ephesians (see on Eph 1:1); but referring to the report he had heard since he was with them, as to their Christian graces. So in the case of Philemon, his "beloved fellow laborer" (Plm 1:1), he uses the same words (Plm 1:4-5). your faith--rather, as Greek, "the faith among you," that is, which many (not all) of you have. love unto all the saints--of whatever name, simply because they are saints. A distinguishing characteristic of true Christianity (Eph 6:24). "Faith and love he often joins together. A wondrous pair" [CHRYSOSTOM]. Hope is added, Eph 1:18.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Wherefore I also,.... As well as others: after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus; who is the immediate object of faith, and a very proper and suitable one; having every thing in him that is agreeable to the case and circumstances of those that trust in him. And the grace of faith, which terminates on him, is a seeing him, a beholding the glory of his person, and the fulness of his grace; a going to him, and venturing on him; a laying hold upon him, and embracing of him; a committing all unto him, and a leaning and depending on him, and a living upon him, and a walking on in him. And love unto all the saints: whether Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, greater or lesser believers, of meaner gifts, or larger abilities; and which love was unfeigned, fervent, active, and laborious; and which is the evidence of regeneration, and without which a profession is in vain. These two graces, faith and love, are inseparable; they always go together, and are to be found in the same persons; and where they are, they cannot be hid, as they were not in these Ephesians; their faith was professed by them, and was made public, and their love showed itself in deeds, as well as in words, to the saints: hence the apostle came to hear of them both, upon the certain relation of others; for these things were come abroad, and were talked of; See Gill on Col 1:3. See Gill on Col 1:4. See Gill on Plm 1:4. See Gill on Plm 1:5.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We have come to the last part of this chapter, which consists of Paul's earnest prayer to God in behalf of these Ephesians. We should pray for the persons for whom we give thanks. Our apostle blesses God for what he had done for them, and then he prays that he would do more for them. He gives thanks for spiritual blessings, and prays for further supplies of them; for God will for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them. He has laid up these spiritual blessings for us in the hands of his Son, the Lord Jesus; but then he has appointed us to draw them out, and fetch them in, by prayer. We have no part nor lot in the matter, any further than we claim it by faith and prayer. One inducement to pray for them was the good account he had of them, of their faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints, Eph 1:15. Faith in Christ, and love to the saints, will be attended with all other graces. Love to the saints, as such, and because they are such, must include love to God. Those who love saints, as such, love all saints, how weak in grace, how mean in the world, how fretful and peevish soever, some of them may be. Another inducement to pray for them was because they had received the earnest of the inheritance: this we may observe from the words being connected with the preceding ones by the particle wherefore. "Perhaps you will think that, having received the earnest, it should follow, therefore you are happy enough, and need take no further care: you need not pray for yourselves, nor I for you." No, quite the contrary. Wherefore - I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, Eph 1:16. While he blesses God for giving them the Spirit, he ceases not to pray that he would give unto them the Spirit (Eph 1:17), that he would give greater measures of the Spirit. Observe, Even the best of Christians need to be prayed for: and, while we hear well of our Christian friends, we should think ourselves obliged to intercede with God for them, that they may abound and increase yet more and more. Now what is it that Paul prays for in behalf of the Ephesians? Not that they might be freed from persecution; nor that they might possess the riches, honours, or pleasures of the world; but the great thing he prays for is the illumination of their understandings, and that their knowledge might increase and abound: he means it of a practical and experimental knowledge. The graces and comforts of the Spirit are communicated to the soul by the enlightening of the understanding. In this way he gains and keeps possession. Satan takes a contrary way: he gets possession by the senses and passions, Christ by the understanding. Observe, I. Whence this knowledge must come from the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, Eph 1:17. The Lord is a God of knowledge, and there is no sound saving knowledge but what comes from him; and therefore to him we must look for it, who is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ (see Eph 1:3) and the Father of glory. It is a Hebraism. God is infinitely glorious in himself all glory is due to him from his creatures, and he is the author of all that glory with which his saints are or shall be invested. Now he gives knowledge by giving the Spirit of knowledge; for the Spirit of God is the teacher of the saints, the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. We have the revelation of the Spirit in the word: but will that avail us, if we have not the wisdom of the Spirit in the heart? If the same Spirit who indited the sacred scriptures do not take the veil from off our hearts, and enable us to understand and improve them, we shall be never the better. - In the knowledge of him, or for the acknowledgment of him; not only a speculative knowledge of Christ, and of what relates to him, but an acknowledgment of Christ's authority by an obedient conformity to him, which must be by the help of the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. This knowledge is first in the understanding. He prays that the eyes of their understanding may be enlightened, Eph 1:18. Observe, Those who have their eyes opened, and have some understanding in the things of God, have need to be more and more enlightened, and to have their knowledge more clear, and distinct, and experimental. Christians should not think it enough to have warm affections, but they should labour to have clear understandings; they should be ambitious of being knowing Christians, and judicious Christians. II. What it is that he more particularly desire they should grow in the knowledge of. 1. The hope of his calling, Eph 1:18. Christianity is our calling. God has called us to it, and on that account it is said to be his calling. There is a hope in this calling; for those who deal with God deal upon trust. And it is a desirable thing to know what this hope of our calling is, to have such an acquaintance with the immense privileges of God's people, and the expectations they have from God, and with respect to the heavenly world, as to be quickened thereby to the utmost diligence and patience in the Christian course. We ought to labour after, and pray earnestly for, a clearer insight into, and a fuller acquaintance with, the great objects of a Christian's hopes. 2. The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Besides the heavenly inheritance prepared for the saints, there is a present inheritance in the saints; for grace is glory begun, and holiness is happiness in the bud. There is a glory in this inheritance, riches of glory, rendering the Christian more excellent and more truly honourable than all about him: and it is desirable to know this experimentally, to be acquainted with the principles, pleasures, and powers, of the spiritual and divine life. It may be understood of the glorious inheritance in or among the saints in heaven, where God does, as it were, lay forth all his riches, to make them happy and glorious, and where all that the saints are in possession of is transcendently glorious, as the knowledge that can be attained of this upon earth is very desirable, and must be exceedingly entertaining and delightful. Let us endeavour then, by reading, contemplation, and prayer, to know as much of heaven as we can, that we may be desiring and longing to be there. 3. The exceeding greatness of God's power towards those who believe, Eph 1:19. The practical belief of the all-sufficiency of God, and of the omnipotence of divine grace, is absolutely necessary to a close and steady walking with him. It is a desirable thing to know experimentally the mighty power of that grace beginning and carrying on the work of faith in our souls. It is a difficult thing to bring a soul to believe in Christ, and to venture its all upon his righteousness, and upon the hope of eternal life. It is nothing less than an almighty power that will work this in us. The apostle speaks here with a mighty fluency and copiousness of expression, and yet, at the same time, as if he wanted words to express the exceeding greatness of God's almighty power, that power which God exerts towards his people, and by which he raised Christ from the dead, Eph 1:20. That indeed was the great proof of the truth of the gospel to the world: but the transcript of that in ourselves (our sanctification, and rising from the death of sin, in conformity to Christ's resurrection) is the great proof to us. Though this cannot prove the truth of the gospel to another who knows nothing of the matter (there the resurrection of Christ is the proof), yet to be able to speak experimentally, as the Samaritans, "We have heard him ourselves, we have felt a mighty change in our hearts," will make us able to say, with the fullest satisfaction, Now we believe, and are sure, that this is the Christ, the Son of God. Many understand the apostle here as speaking of that exceeding greatness of power which God will exert for raising the bodies of believers to eternal life, even the same mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him, etc. And how desirable a thing must it be to become at length acquainted with that power, by being raised out of the grave thereby unto eternal life! Having said something of Christ and his resurrection, the apostle digresses a little from the subject he is upon to make some further honourable mention of the Lord Jesus and his exaltation. He sits at the Father's right hand in the heavenly places, etc., Eph 1:20, Eph 1:21. Jesus Christ is advanced above all, and he is set in authority over all, they being made subject to him. All the glory of the upper world, and all the powers of both worlds, are entirely devoted to him. The Father hath put all things under his feet (Eph 1:22), according to the promise, Psa 110:1. All creatures whatsoever are in subjection to him; they must either yield him sincere obedience or fall under the weight of his sceptre, and receive their doom from him. God GAVE him to be head over all things. It was a gift to Christ, considered as a Mediator, to be advanced to such dominion and headship, and to have such a mystical body prepared for him: and it was a gift to the church, to be provided with a head endued with so much power and authority. God gave him to be the head over all things. He gave him all power both in heaven and in earth. The Father loves the Son, and hath given ALL things into his hands. But that which completes the comfort of this is that he is the head over all things to the church; he is entrusted with all power, that is, that he may dispose of all the affairs of the providential kingdom in subserviency to the designs of his grace concerning his church. With this therefore we may answer the messengers of the nations, that the Lord hath founded Zion. The same power that supports the world support the church; and we are sure he loves his church, for it is his body (Eph 1:23), his mystical body, and he will care for it. It is the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Jesus Christ filleth all in all; he supplies all defects in all his members, filling them with his Spirit, and even with the fulness of God, Eph 3:19. And yet the church is said to be his fulness, because Christ as Mediator would not be complete if he had not a church. How could he be a king if he had not a kingdom? This therefore comes in to the honour of Christ, as Mediator, that the church is his fulness.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:15-23 Paul prays that his readers may have the spiritual understanding to grasp the full significance of God’s gifts (1:3-14). 1:15 Paul links faith in Christ with love for God’s people. Personal faith in Christ brings salvation, and salvation is expressed, above all, by a life of love (see Gal 5:6; Col 1:4; 1 Thes 1:3; 3:6; 5:8; 2 Thes 1:3; 1 Tim 1:14; 2:15; Titus 2:2).