The God of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 1:16-17

Ephesians 1:16-17

November 23, 2021

In Ephesians 1:16, Paul says that he does not cease giving thanks and making mention of the Ephesians in his prayers.

As believers, we ought always to pray and not lose heart (Luke 1:18). In this, Paul is our example. He expresses his gratitude to God for other believers, and then he continually makes requests for them.

Notice the prayer Paul has for the Ephesians. Since he prays for this without ceasing, it is always at the front of his thinking and on his mind. Let’s read Ephesians 1:17.

Ephesians 1:17 (NKJV) 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 first thing we see is that Paul is specific to whom he is praying. His requests are directed to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory.

John begins his gospel account by explaining who Jesus is. He says,

John 1:1–4 (NKJV) ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

These verses show the unique relationship between Jesus and God. Jesus described His relationship with God by saying:

John 10:30 (NKJV) I and My Father are one.

John 10 is telling of a conversation between Jesus and some of the Jewish leaders. Upon hearing Jesus say these words, they took up stones to stone Him. Jesus asked them which of His good works they were going to stone Him for, and they answered:

John 10:33 (NKJV) “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

Our English language causes some confusion in our understanding of John 3:16. We all know the verse to say “only begotten Son.” The literal translation of the Greek word used is “the only one of its kind.” Some use the word “unique” to translate the Greek term.

The point that comes from all this is that Jesus is God, the second person of the Trinity. So, when Paul says, “the Father of glory,” he points to God as the Father of the Lord Jesus and heaven and earth. His position as “Father of glory” puts Him above all beings. 

Who we pray to is crucial. We do not fire off wishes into the universe when we pray. Some people talk about “Karma” and the “universe” looking out for them. But such talk is all nonsense. We live in a universe controlled by and under the rule of the God of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Because of this, Paul makes the following request.

Ephesians 1:17 (NKJV) 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 Spirit of wisdom and revelation” is the Holy Spirit. Given at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is God at work in our world. He is working through the Church in this present age. All three members of the Trinity are mentioned in this prayer because all three members of the Trinity are involved in our salvation. 

Without the Holy Spirit, we can't understand the things of God. Satan blinds the eyes of the unbelieving, and it takes the work of the Holy Spirit to open our eyes.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 tells us:

1 Corinthians 2:9–10 (NKJV): ⁹But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” ¹⁰But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

The Holy Spirit makes the truth known to us. 

Ephesians 1 has already shown us that the Holy Spirit seals us for the Kingdom of God. But, God gives more grace. Paul is asking that the Holy Spirit give wisdom and knowledge.

Later in the letter, Paul tells us to be filled with the Spirit and not drunk with wine. We can choose to yield to the Spirit. We cannot control or manipulate the Spirit. But, we can submit to Him as sent from the Father.

It is important to pray for each other’s health and well-being. However, as Paul prays for that which is most crucial, we must follow his example and pray for each other that God would give each of us the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge of Him.