This is one of Paul’s four prison letters. In each one he didn’t ask for anything new, but he would reveal what we already have. Last week we are reminded that the Father chose us, the Son redeems us, and the Spirit seals us. This next passage (15-23), Paul is encouraging us to allow this knowledge to transform us. He recognizes that the Ephesians loved Jesus and loved people, so he gave thanks for that (v15). Verse 16 is an encouragement from Paul that when he heard how well the people were doing, he was moved to pray “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation.

The goal of this knowledge and wisdom is to know Christ. He points this out in the past, future, and present.

Past – “what is the hope to which he has called you.” This hope is a confident expectation of what is to come.

Future – “what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” We are His inheritance! We are of great value to Him.

Present – “and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power.” There are three manifestations of His power:

1. the resurrection

2. All things are under His fee

3. He is the head of the Church

This prayer begins and ends with the church and His love for it. As the church, we should be on the offensive because the world is peripheral to the church.