Ephesians 1:16-19
“ I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe ..”
God calls us—personally and powerfully—into relationship with him. He knows us, and he wants us to know him.
Paul’s prayer—his petition—is directed to “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory.” This is the Apostle Paul praying to the Creator God of the universe on our behalf. That is incredible!
The focus of Paul’s prayer is that God would give us “a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” Paul wants to spare us from frantically searching for what is already ours. He asks the Lord to open the eyes of hearts that we might see and understand the hope, the riches, and the power that we have by virtue of our relationship with Christ.
Please read Paul’s prayer carefully and consider what it means for the Body of Christ in our generation. Do not let these by simply words on a page in your bible (or on your bible app). Let these words of scripture dwell in you richly and shape your walk with Jesus in the time and place in which you live.
We are embedded in a society that has rejected its founding principles and turned its back on God and his standards. Having rejected its historical roots, America is deeply divided and fighting a fierce battle for the policies, practices, and political structures that will direct its future. According to the social/political elite of our time, there is not place for Christianity in the public arena.
It is in the midst of this confusion and conflict that the Lord calls the Christian community to be a source of reason and respect. If we are to be faithful to this calling, we must be guided by the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. Nothing less will do.
Paul is praying for a level of wisdom and understanding that only happens when we deeply know God. Authentic Christianity is not about head knowledge; it is about heart knowledge. It is not simply knowing things about God; it is knowing God himself.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3.18)
This is not to say doctrine is unimportant, because right doctrine is essential; but doctrinal accuracy is not enough. It is possible to know the bible and not really know the God of the bible. God calls us into an intimate, personal relationship with him. Scripture reveals essential truths about who God is, and we must study those truths, know those truths, and teach and defend those truths in our time and place in history.
Knowledge of scripture should lead us to knowing God in a deep, life-changing way.
I believe that what Paul is doing here is teaching us what we should pray for ourselves and for our fellow believers. The incredible blessings that we have in Christ are so vast that the human mind cannot comprehend them. That should drive us to pray to the Father and ask him to enlighten the eyes of hearts and give us wisdom and understanding so that we can know him and live for him.
This makes me think of Jeremiah 9:23-24: “Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
I also think this passage teaches us that spiritual knowledge and wisdom are meant to reside in the heart of every Christian and the church as a whole. Knowledge, insight, and wisdom are not limited to an elite group of church leaders or spiritual gurus. Every believer is called to be a wise and impactful agent of the gospel.
Again, God calls us—personally and powerfully—into relationship with him. He knows us, and he wants us to know him in a way that penetrates and transforms every aspect of our lives.
