Ephesians 1:15-23 Meaning: Why Paul Prays for Your Deeper Knowledge
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.
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.
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.
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,
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:
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Paul thank God for your faith, then pray for deeper knowledge? Because even mature believers need heart-enlightenment.
Context
Paul has just finished a long praise for the spiritual blessings God has given in Christ. Now he tells the Ephesians that he gives thanks for them and prays for them. He has heard of their faith in Jesus and their love for all believers. So he does not stop thanking God. But then he asks for something more: that God would give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation, and that the eyes of their hearts would be opened. This leads into a breathtaking description of Christ's resurrection and authority over everything. The prayer is not a criticism of their faith. It is a plea for deeper sight, for them to see what they already possess in Christ.
Key Words
Two words stand out. First, revelation (apokalupsis in Greek). It means an unveiling, like pulling back a curtain to show what was hidden. Paul prays for a spirit of revelation, not just new facts, but a Spirit who uncovers who God truly is. Second, eyes of your heart. The Greek word for heart (kardia) means the whole inner person: mind, will, emotions, everything that makes you you. Paul asks for these inner eyes to be enlightened (phōtizō), flooded with light. This is not ordinary learning. It is God turning on a light inside so you can see hope, riches, and power that were always there but hidden.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions agree that Paul's prayer is for ongoing growth, not a fix for failure. Reformed commentators like Calvin and Wesley note that even the most advanced believers need the Spirit's help to grasp God's truth. Anglican scholars point to the phrase 'heart' as meaning the deepest part of a person. Baptist writers emphasize that this knowledge comes through the Spirit's work, not human effort. Catholic tradition sees this as a gift of grace that deepens over time. All affirm the same thing: Paul is asking God to show the Ephesians what they already have, not to give them something they lack.
A common misunderstanding
Some think Paul is correcting a problem, as if the Ephesians were lacking in faith or love. But he opens by thanking God for their faith and love. The prayer is not a rebuke. It is a request for deeper understanding of what they already possess. Paul wants them to know the hope, the inheritance, and the power that are already theirs in Christ.
Living This Out
This week, when you face a decision or a struggle, try asking God for opened eyes instead of just asking for a change in your situation. Before a hard conversation, pause and say, 'Lord, show me the hope and power I already have in Christ.' Paul's prayer is not just for first-century believers. It is for you. You already have the Spirit, but you can ask for fresh sight to see what is already there.
Main takeaway: Even mature believers need God to open their heart's eyes to the hope, riches, and power already theirs in Christ.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Paul prayed that his friends would know God better. You can ask God to help you know Jesus more. He loves to answer that prayer.
For ages 9, 12
Paul thanked God for the faith and love of the Ephesians. Then he asked God to show them even more about who He is. That's a good prayer for you too. You can ask God to open your heart's eyes to see His love for you and the power that is yours in Jesus.
Questions People Ask
What does 'spirit of wisdom and revelation' mean in Ephesians 1:17?
Most commentators understand this as a reference to the Holy Spirit, who gives supernatural wisdom and reveals God's truth. Paul prays that the Spirit would continue working in the believers to open their understanding.
What are 'the eyes of your heart'? Is that a real body part?
In the Bible, the heart is the center of your inner life including your mind, will, and emotions. So 'eyes of your heart' is a picture of your inner understanding. Paul asks God to shine light into that inner place so you can truly grasp spiritual realities.
How is the power Paul prays for related to Christ's resurrection?
Paul says the power toward believers is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him above every authority. It is not a separate force. The resurrection power is already at work in those who believe, and Paul wants them to know it.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study