READING: Eph. 1:15-18: Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 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 …
Here, Paul continues his discourse from verses 1-14. He applies it to the church in Ephesus, where he worked for three years and to which he had bid farewell four years previous (Acts 20). The information that reached him in prison gave him cause for concern, which he will address in the letter. But above all, there is reason for gratitude. He first expresses this gratitude extensively in this letter. Paul notices faith in the Lord Jesus and mutual love in this congregation.
These two, faith and love, are essential and must go together with true faith. For this, Paul first thanks God, who has worked out this faith and love, as often as he remembers the congregation in his prayers.
Besides this thankfulness, Paul implores God, about whom he has just spoken such wonderful words. He calls God the Father of glory, who grants His children in Christ so much grace and hope.
Paul especially implores Him for the gift of the Holy Spirit for the congregation. This must also be continually prayed for (Luke 11:9-13, HC Q&A 116). Yes, the Holy Spirit was already dwelling and working in Ephesus. This is evident from the previous verses. But continual prayer is necessary.
The faith of the congregation members must grow and increase in wisdom, knowledge, and eager expectation. What is already present must further grow and bloom. There must be no stagnation. The Holy Spirit wants to move from strength to strength and from glory to glory. This requires prayer and surrender, effort and submission, insight and application (Phil. 1:6, 1:9).
Are you thankful to be a member of the congregation?
Singing: Hymn 36:4 (1984), 32:4 (2014)