Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 1:15-23

We have come to the last part of this chapter, which consists of Paul's earnest prayer to God in behalf of these Ephesians. We should pray for the persons for whom we give thanks. Our apostle blesses God for what he had done for them, and then he prays that he would do more for them. He gives thanks for spiritual blessings, and prays for further supplies of them; for God will for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them. He has laid up these spiritual blessings for us in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 1:15-23

1:15-23 It is because I have heard of your faith in Jesus Christ, and your love to all God's consecrated people, that I never cease to give thanks for you, as I remember you in my prayers. It is the aim of my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit which brings you new revelation, as you come to know him more and more fully. It is the aim of my prayers that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 1:15-23

In this passage we see what Paul asks for a Church which he loves and which is doing well. (i) He prays for the Spirit of Wisdom. The word he uses for wisdom is sophia ( Greek #4678 ), and we have already seen that sophia ( Greek #4678 ) is the wisdom of the deep things of God. He prays that the Church may be led deeper and deeper into the knowledge of the eternal truths. If ever that is to happen, certain things are necessary. (a) It is necessary that we should have a thinking... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 1:15-23

We come to the last two verses of this chapter, and in them Paul has one of the most adventurous and most uplifting thoughts that any man has ever had. He calls the Church by its greatest title--the body of Christ. In order to understand what Paul means, let us go back to the basic thought of his letter. As it stands, this world is a complete disunity. There is disunity between Jew and Gentile, between Greek and barbarian; there is disunity between different men within the same nation; there... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 1:16

Cease not to give thanks for you ,.... On account of their faith and love; which were gifts of grace bestowed upon them, and not the produce of their own free will and power; and therefore thanks are given to God for them: making mention of you in my prayers ; which shows the apostle to be a praying person, and that he was constant at the throne of grace, where he prayed for others as well as for himself; and it points out the time and way, when, and in which he gave thanks to God for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 1:16

Cease not to give thanks - The apostle intimates, so fully satisfied was he of the genuineness of their conversion, and of their steadiness since their conversion, that it was to him a continual cause of thanksgiving to God, who had brought them into that state of salvation; and of prayer, that they might be preserved blameless to the end. Making mention of you - While praying for the prosperity of the Christian cause generally, he was led, from his particular affection for them, to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 1:16

Verse 16 16.Making mention of you. To thanksgiving, as his custom is, he adds prayer, in order to excite them to additional progress. It was necessary that the Ephesians should understand that they had entered upon the proper course. But it was equally necessary that they should not turn aside to any new scheme of doctrine, or become indifferent about proceeding farther; for nothing is more dangerous than to be satisfied with that measure of spiritual benefits which has been already obtained.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:15-16

Spiritual prosperity. Although St. Paul could soar into strange heights of contemplation, his interest was not confined to cold theological abstractions. If he meditated on the final consummation of all things, he was never negligent of the spiritual condition of the Christians of his day. No man could show more deep, earnest, personal concern for those committed to his charge, than the great apostle evinced for the Churches of which he had the oversight. They were ever m his thoughts and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:15-23

Prayer for spiritual growth. General characteristics of Paul's prayers (see Exposition, Ephesians 1:16 ). The prayer is I. RETROSPECTIVE . Consists of thanksgiving ( Ephesians 1:16 ). Happy key-note for prayer. II. PROSPECTIVE . Of supplication. Here we may note: 1. The name by which God is invoked ( Ephesians 1:17 ; see Exposition). 2. The blessing sought, viz. further illumination in the knowledge of God's will. 3. The points needing to be more fully... read more

Group of Brands