Ephesians 1:15-23 · Bible study
Ephesians 1:15-23 Commentary: Prayer for Deeper Knowledge
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why Paul moves from thanksgiving to prayer for the Ephesians to know God's power, hope and inheritance in
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul prays that believers would experience deeper spiritual knowledge of God’s hope, inheritance, and power, the same power that raised Christ and exalted Him as head of the church.
- Key words: πνεῦμα σοφίας (spirit of wisdom), ἀποκαλύψεως (revelation), ἐπίγνωσις (full knowledge), ὑπερβάλλον μέγεθος (surpassing greatness), πλήρωμα (fullness).
- Main debate: Is “a spirit of wisdom” the Holy Spirit or a human disposition? Does “fullness” mean Christ fills the church or the church completes Christ?
- Theological theme: Pneumatology (the Spirit’s illuminating work); Christology (Christ’s exaltation and headship); ecclesiology (the church as Christ’s body).
- Best use: A model for intercessory prayer, a meditation on spiritual resources in Christ, a foundation for teaching union with Christ.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.
18I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,
19and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,
20which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,
21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
22And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,
23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
WEB World English Bible 2000
15For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you and the love which you have toward all the saints,
16don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,
17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,
18having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might
20which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,
21far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.
22He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,
23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
KJV King James Version 1769
15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
15For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show toward all the saints,
16cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;
18having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might
20which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,
21far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church,
23which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
15Because of this I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and the love to all the saints,
16do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,
17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of the glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the recognition of him,
18the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, for your knowing what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19and what the exceeding greatness of His power to us who are believing, according to the working of the power of His might,
20which He wrought in the Christ, having raised him out of the dead, and did set him at His right hand in the heavenly places ,
21far above all principality, and authority, and might, and lordship, and every name named, not only in this age, but also in the coming one;
22and all things He did put under his feet, and did give him--head over all things to the assembly,
23which is his body, the fulness of Him who is filling the all in all,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
15Wherefore I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which [is] in you, and the love which [ye have] towards all the saints,
16do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention [of you] at my prayers,
17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give you [the] spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of him,
18being enlightened in the eyes of your heart, so that ye should know what is the hope of his calling, [and] what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19and what the surpassing greatness of his power towards us who believe, according to the working of the might of his strength,
20[in] which he wrought in the Christ [in] raising him from among [the] dead, and he set him down at his right hand in the heavenlies,
21above every principality, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name named, not only in this age, but also in that to come;
22and has put all things under his feet, and gave him [to be] head over all things to the assembly,
23which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all:
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
15Wherefore, I also, hearing of your faith that is in the Lord Jesus and of your love towards all the saints,
16Cease not to give thanks for you, making commemoration of you in my prayers,
17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation, in the knowledge of him:
18The eyes of your heart enlightened that you may know what the hope is of his calling and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us, who believe according to the operation of the might of his power,
20Which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead and setting him on his right hand in the heavenly places.
21Above all principality and power and virtue and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
22And he hath subjected all things under his feet and hath made him head over all the church,
23Which is his body and the fulness of him who is filled all in all.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Ephesians 1:15
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Paul’s thanksgiving for the Ephesians’ faith and love (v.15) immediately becomes a prayer for their deeper, experiential knowledge of God. He does not question whether they have faith; he prays that they would grow in understanding what God has already given. Calvin notes that believers always need increase in wisdom and revelation, even after conversion. Vincent points out that Paul’s language for “exceeding greatness” (huperballon) and his stacking of power-words, working, might, strength, show a writer straining to convey the magnitude of God’s power.
The prayer’s content is threefold (v.18-19): that believers would know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power toward those who believe. This power is illustrated in the resurrection and exaltation of Christ (v.20-23): raised from the dead, seated at God’s right hand, far above all spiritual authorities, and made head over all things for the church. Clarke and Barnes both emphasize that the same power that raised Christ is available to believers for their transformation.
The passage ends with the church described as Christ’s body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (v.23). While the precise meaning of “fullness” (plērōma) is debated, whether Christ fills the church or the church completes Christ, all agree that the union between Christ and His people is intimate and total.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Illumination by the Holy Spirit: Interprets 'spirit of wisdom and revelation' as the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in giving understanding (cf. 1 Cor 2:10-12).
- A human spiritual faculty: Reads 'spirit' as the human spirit or disposition, intensified by the gift of wisdom (cf. Exod 31:3; Isa 11:2).
What is clear: Paul prays for believers to receive deeper, God-given knowledge of Christ and of the hope, inheritance, and power already theirs in Him.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit of wisdom and revelation (v.17) | Paul asks God to give something that enables deeper understanding of God. | Some (e.g., Wesley) see this as the Holy Spirit Himself; others (e.g., Calvin and Barnes) understand it as a spiritual disposition or gift of wisdom, not the person of the Spirit himself. |
| His inheritance in the saints (v.18) | There is a glorious inheritance connected to believers. | Is this our inheritance in heaven (the saints inherit from God) or God’s inheritance in His people (the church is God’s treasured possession)? Both readings appear in the commentaries; Clarke and Gill favor the latter. |
| The church as the fullness of Christ (v.23) | The church is closely united to Christ as His body. | Does “fullness” mean the church completes Christ (as Calvin suggests, Christ is incomplete without His body)? Or does it mean Christ fills the church with His presence (as in Colossians 2:9-10, the fullness of deity dwells in Christ bodily)? The Greek πλήρωμα can carry either sense. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Ephesus was the fourth-largest city in the Roman empire, a commercial and religious hub. Its temple of Artemis (Diana) drew pilgrims from across Asia Minor. Paul spent three years there (Acts 20:31), founding the church through his teaching and miracles. The letter to the Ephesians was likely written from a Roman prison around AD 60-62, carried by Tychicus (Eph 6:21). Paul writes to a community he knows well, but his language is more general and liturgical than his other letters, many scholars believe it was a circular letter intended for several churches in the region.
In verses 15-23, Paul shifts from the majestic opening blessing (Eph 1:3-14) to personal application. Having praised God for the spiritual blessings in Christ, he now prays that the readers would know those blessings. The phrase “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory” (v.17) echoes Jewish prayer language while grounding it in the new covenant. “The eyes of your heart” (v.18) draws on Old Testament phrases like “enlighten my eyes” (Ps 13:3) to denote spiritual perception.
The description of Christ’s exaltation (v.20-21) reflects a common early Christian confession: the resurrection, ascension, and session at God’s right hand, citing Psalm 110:1 and Psalm 8:6. The fourfold list of spiritual powers, rule, authority, power, dominion, reflects Jewish angelology and early Christian belief in hostile spiritual forces (Eph 6:12). For first-century readers, this was an assurance: no political or supernatural power stands above the risen Christ.
Textual Notes
The most significant variant in this passage is in verse 18: some manuscripts read “eyes of your heart” (καρδίας), while others read “eyes of your understanding” (διανοίας). The older and better witnesses, including Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, support “heart,” as reflected in the ASV, BSB, and KJV margin. The change to “understanding” likely arose from scribes trying to clarify the metaphor. In verse 20, a small number of manuscripts read the perfect tense “he hath wrought” (ἐνήργηκεν) instead of the aorist “he wrought” (ἐνήργησεν); the best texts support the aorist, referring to the definite past event of Christ’s exaltation. No other variants in this unit materially affect interpretation.
Reception History
This passage has been central to Christian teaching on prayer and spiritual knowledge since the early church. Eastern Orthodox tradition has emphasized the “eyes of the heart” as the faculty of theosis, the transformation of the whole person through divine illumination. In the Western church, Augustine and later reformers used verses 17-19 to argue that saving faith includes not just assent but a true, experiential knowledge of God. The exaltation passage (vv.20-23) was a cornerstone of early creedal formulations about Christ’s session at God’s right hand. Medieval commentators (e.g., Thomas Aquinas) connected “the fullness of him who fills all in all” (v.23) to the church’s role as the complement of Christ in the Eucharist and in the communion of saints. Hymns such as “Crown Him with Many Crowns” draw directly on vv.21-22, celebrating Christ’s authority over all powers. In modern evangelical contexts, this text is often used to encourage believers to pray for spiritual insight and to meditate on the power of the resurrection in daily life.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- Thanksgiving grounded in evidence (vv.15-16), Paul hears of their faith and love; he gives thanks without ceasing. The pattern: genuine Christian community produces visible fruit that prompts gratitude.
- Prayer for spiritual illumination (vv.17-19), The content of Paul’s intercession: a spirit of wisdom and revelation, enlightened hearts, knowledge of hope, inheritance, and power. Prayer is not for material blessings but for deeper comprehension of what is already theirs in Christ.
- The supreme demonstration of power (vv.20-23), Christ’s resurrection and exaltation are the template for God’s power toward believers. He is head over all things for the church; the church is His body, His fullness.
Five-Point Outline
- The occasion for prayer (v.15), Faith in the Lord Jesus and love for all the saints.
- The posture of intercession (v.16), Unceasing thanksgiving and specific remembrance.
- The petition for revelation (vv.17-18a), Spirit of wisdom, enlightened heart, knowledge of God.
- The objects of knowledge (vv.18b-19), Hope, inheritance, power.
- The foundation of that power (vv.20-23), Christ raised, exalted, and given as head to the church.
Illustration Hooks
- A child receives a large inheritance but does not know about it until later; discovering it changes everything. Believers already have every spiritual blessing in Christ; Paul prays they would know what they possess.
- Comparing a low-resolution photo to a high-definition image: the same subject, but the second reveals far more detail. The enlightened heart sees God’s purposes with fresh clarity.
- An electric chair that has been decommissioned and sits powerless, but Christ has not only been decommissioned from death; He is seated at the right hand of power. That same resurrection power is at work in believers.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- “If I’m saved, why do I still feel spiritually blind?”
- “What difference does Christ’s exaltation make to my daily struggles?”
- “How can I experience the same power that raised Jesus from the dead?”
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows that Christian maturity is not automatic: even faithful believers need prayer for deeper understanding. Paul models intercessory prayer that is both thankful and specific. As you discuss, consider what it means to have the “eyes of your heart enlightened” and how knowing the hope, inheritance, and power of God can shape your everyday life.
Discussion Questions
- What does Paul’s thanksgiving (v.15-16) reveal about his view of the Ephesian church? Why does he mention both faith and love together?
- In verses 17-18, Paul asks for a “spirit of wisdom and revelation.” Why is this necessary for people who already believe?
- The phrase “eyes of your heart” is unusual. What does it suggest about how we come to know God? How is this different from merely learning facts about God?
- Paul prays that they would know hope, inheritance, and power. Which of these three is most difficult for you to grasp right now? Why?
- Verses 20-23 describe Christ’s resurrection and exaltation. How does this connect to “the power toward us who believe” (v.19)?
- The church is called “his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (v.23). What does this image tell you about your place in God’s plan?
- How might this passage change the way you pray for yourself and for others?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 16:3 | As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight. |
| Galatians 5:6 | For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amounts to anything, but faith working through love. |
| Colossians 1:3 | We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, |
| Colossians 1:4 | having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have toward all the saints, |
| I Thessalonians 1:3 | remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. |
| I Thessalonians 4:9 | But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, |
| II Thessalonians 1:3 | We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another abounds, |
| I Timothy 1:5 | But the goal of this command is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues that the proper reading is "eyes of your heart" rather than "understanding," citing strong manuscript support. He distinguishes three aspects of divine power in the resurrection: might, power in action, and the energy with which it is applied. Finally, he interprets the Church as the fullness of
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes emphasizes that Paul prays for believers to grasp the immense power God exerts for them. This is the same power that raised Christ from death and seated Him above all spiritual authorities. For Barnes, conversion itself depends on that resurrection-like transformation.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator stresses that the Church is not merely an organization but the living body through which Christ's grace is realized and displayed. This "fulness" means the Church is the divinely chosen receptacle where the ascended Lord pours out His spiritual presence, making it the instrument for His will on earth.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes highlight that Paul prays for believers to receive the same divine power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him above all spiritual authorities. This resurrection power is not distant but actively at work in those who believe. Christ's exaltation over every name and dominion guarantees their inheritance and hope.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that the same almighty power God used to raise Christ from the dead and exalt Him is also exerted in converting and keeping believers. For him, faith and love are inseparable gifts of grace, and the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB stresses that the same surpassing power God used to raise Christ and seat Him above all rulers is the very power at work in believers. Christ is Head over all things, but He is given to the Church as her own, so that she shares His exaltation and receives His fullness.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that Paul first gives thanks for what God has already done for the Ephesians and then prays for still more. God stores up spiritual blessings in Christ, but we must draw them out by prayer. We have no share in these blessings except as we claim them by faith and prayer.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent draws attention to Paul's careful Greek wording, arguing that the distinct force of separate words like "strength" and "might" should not be combined into a diluted phrase. He notes "eyes of your heart" appears nowhere else in the New Testament, and Paul's frequent use of "hyper" compounds reflects language struggling to capture divine realities.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley stresses that the same Spirit who seals believers also, as they grow, gives wisdom and revelation common to all real Christians. The power God works in us is the very same almighty power that raised Christ from the dead. He also notes that Christ, not the church, is the fulness that fills all in all.