The apostle Paul had a prayer for the Ephesians. Ephesians 1:17-21 “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” There are three things that the apostle Paul was praying that the Ephesians would know.
The first is “that you may know what is the hope of His calling”. We are called through the gospel that we might obtain the glory of Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ” Jesus has been glorified and is now at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). We are to obtain his glory – this is our hope. What a hope! What does it mean to obtain the glory of Jesus? I don’t know. The apostle Paul prayed that the Ephesians would know it, and we can pray that we would also know it. If we appreciate this hope that we have, then we can with patience wait for it (Romans 8:25).
The second is “that you may know … what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” The book of the Revelation describes the holy city we inherit. It describes the glory of it with a foundation of beautify stones, the city of pure gold and the gates of pearl. The glory of God illuminates it and the Lamb is its light. Revelations 21:4 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” These descriptions provide a small insight into the riches of the glory of the inheritance. We should know that it is something worth desiring and obtaining!
The third is “that you may know … the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.” The God who used his great power to create the universe also raised Christ from the dead and exalted him high above all other powers. This same mighty power of God can be used toward us who believe. Nothing is impossible for us with the power of God on our side. Jesus said in Mark 10:27b “For with God all things are possible”. When we try to do things with our own power, our power is weak and we accomplish little. Romans 8:31-32 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Oh that we could appreciate the power of God toward us who believe!
To summarize, there are three wonderful things that the apostle Paul prayed that the Ephesians would know: What is the hope of His calling. What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe. I pray that we would know these as well. They should have a great impact on how we live our lives.