Ephesians 1:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:15-23

Prayer for the Ephesians. I. FOUNDED ON INFORMATION . 1. Regarding their faith . "For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you." He had already more than once referred to their Christian faith; he refers to it now as ground for his prayer on their behalf. We are to pray for "all men," even for unbelievers; but whoever through faith are admitted into the same Christian circle, claim a special interest in our prayers. 2. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:15-23

Apostolic philanthropy. "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not 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 unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:17-19

Spiritual knowledge. After thankfully recognizing the faith and love of the Christians he is addressing, St. Paul describes his prayers for their further endowment with Divine graces, and shows that he is especially anxious that they should receive a Spirit of wisdom. Possibly the Christians of Ephesus and its neighborhood were backward on the intellectual side of the spiritual life; but more probably wisdom was desirable for them just because they were exceptionally capable of high... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:19

And what the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe. A new object of knowledge is here brought forward—knowledge of a power which works in us—a great power, a Divine power, a power surpassingly great. The whole energy of the Divine Being is turned on to our feeble, languid nature, vivifying, purifying, and transforming it, making it wonderfully active where all was feebleness before, as the turning on of steam suddenly wakens up a whole mass of inert machinery. When we think... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:19

The power of God in salvation. "The exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe." This is the third thing the apostle wished them to know "for their furtherance and joy of faith." I. THE SPHERE OF THIS WORKING . " TO usward who believe." Power will always excite our admiration, but it will not inspire comfort unless it is exerted on our behalf. The devils know the power of God, but its exercise inspires them with no comfort. This power is manifested in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:19-20

The power of the Resurrection. "According to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead." The resurrection of Christ was at once an illustration and a pledge of our resurrection, spiritually and physically, with himself. It seems a strange thing to find an exercise of purely physical power compared with an exercise of purely spiritual power. The strangeness disappears when we consider the place of the Resurrection in the scheme of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 1:19

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power - On the language used here, compare the notes at 2 Corinthians 4:17. There is much emphasis and energy of expression here, as if the apostle were laboring under the greatness of his theme, and wanted words to express the magnitude of his conception. This is the “third” thing which he was particularly desirous they should know - that they should be fully acquainted with the “power” of God in the salvation of people. He refers not merely to the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ephesians 1:18-21

Ephesians 1:18-21. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened That is, I pray that God would do this for you by the discoveries of his gospel, and the operation of his grace. Observe, reader, it is by the eyes of the understanding alone that we discern the things of God; and in order hereto these eyes must first be opened, and then enlightened, by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, spoken of in the former verse. That ye may know what is the hope of his calling That ye may know,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ephesians 1:15-23

A prayer for understanding (1:15-23)Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians combines thanksgiving and praise with requests offered in true faith. Paul knows they are converts from paganism, but he expects them to develop a mature understanding of Christianity. He is not content that they should have a few basic Christian beliefs. He wants them to have true wisdom, based on a proper knowledge of God and a clear understanding of all the riches that are theirs through Christ, both in this world and in the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ephesians 1:19

exceeding = surpassing. See 2 Corinthians 3:10 ; 2 Corinthians 9:14 . greatness . Greek. megethos. Only here. power . App-172 . believe . App-150 . according to . . . all in all . Parenthetic (Figure of speech Parembole. App-6 ), the main argument being continued in Ephesians 2:1 , which should read, "Even you", &c. according to . Same as Ephesians 1:5 . working . App-172 . Occurs: Ephesians 3:7 ; Ephesians 4:16 . Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:21 . Co Ephesians 1:1 , Eph 1:29 ;... read more

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