Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians 1:15-23

[15] Wherefore  I also,  after I heard  of  faith  in  the Lord  Jesus,  and  love  unto  all  the saints,  [16] Cease  not  to give thanks  for  making  mention  in  prayers;  [17] That  the God  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the Father  of glory,  may give  the spirit  of wisdom  and  revelation  in  the knowledge  of him:  [18] The eyes  being enlightened;  that  may know  what  the hope  of his  calling,  what  the riches  of the glory  of his  inheritance  in  the saints,  [19] And  what  is the exceeding  greatness  of his  power  to  who  believe,  according to  the working  of his  mighty  power,  [20] Which  he wrought  in  Christ,  when he raised  him  from  the dead,  and  set  him at  his own  right hand  in  the heavenly  [21] Far above  all  principality,  and  power,  and  might,  and  dominion,  and  every  name  that is named,  not  only  in  world,  but  also  in  that which is to come:  [22] And  hath put  all  things under  his  feet,  and  gave  him  to be the head  over  all  things to the church,  [23] Which  his  body,  the fulness  of him that filleth  all  in  all. 

What does Ephesians 1:15-23 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Having reviewed his readers" blessings in Christ, Paul next prayed that they would appreciate and appropriate these good things in their own lives. He moved from benediction to intercession. Ephesians 1:15-23 are one sentence in the Greek text, as are Ephesians 1:3-14. Intellectual understanding is one thing, but it is also important that we use this knowledge to come into intimate relationship with God. That is what Paul prayed for in this prayer.
"For a healthy Christian life today it is of the utmost importance to follow Paul"s example and keep Christian praise and Christian prayer together. Yet many do not manage to preserve this balance. Some Christians seem to do little but pray for new spiritual blessings, apparently oblivious of the fact that God has already blessed them in Christ with every spiritual blessing. Others lay such emphasis on the undoubted truth that everything is already theirs in Christ, that they become complacent and appear to have no appetite to know or experience their Christian privileges more deeply." [1]