Ephesians 1:15-23: a reflection

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.

Paul prays for the Ephesians that God would enlighten the eyes of their hearts, that they might know three things: the hope of God's calling, the riches of the glorious inheritance, and the greatness of God's power toward those who believe. And he describes that power: it is the same power that God worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand, above all rule and authority. The very power that raised Christ is at work toward those who believe.

Notice what Paul wants them to know about God's power toward believers: that it is the power that raised Christ from the dead. Paul is not speaking of some lesser strength; he points to the greatest working of God's power ever displayed, the raising of Christ and his exaltation above all things, and says that this same power is at work toward those who believe. The resurrection power, that conquered death and exalted Christ over all, is the power at work for God's people.

That is a truth worth praying, as Paul prayed, that we might truly grasp: that the power at work toward us is the power that raised Christ. We can live as though we were left to our own weak strength, forgetting the power available to us; but Paul prays that we might know the greatness of God's power toward us, the very power that raised Christ from the dead. Do not live as though you had only your own weak strength; the power at work toward those who believe is the resurrection power, that raised Christ and exalted him above all. Pray, as Paul prayed, that the eyes of your heart would be enlightened to know this power that works toward you. And live in reliance on it, not on your own strength; the power that raised Christ from the dead is at work for you, greater than any weakness or opposition you face. Grasp the greatness of that power, and rely on it, rather than on your own strength alone.

Lord, Paul prayed that the Ephesians would know the greatness of your power toward those who believe, the same power you worked in Christ when you raised him from the dead and seated him above all rule and authority. Help me grasp, as Paul prayed, that truth: that the power at work toward me is the power that raised Christ. I can live as though I were left to my own weak strength, forgetting the power available to me; but Paul prays that I might know the greatness of your power toward me, the very power that raised Christ from the dead. Keep me from living as though I had only my own weak strength; the power at work toward those who believe is the resurrection power, that raised Christ and exalted him above all. Help me pray, as Paul prayed, that the eyes of my heart would be enlightened to know this power that works toward me. And help me live in reliance on it, not on my own strength; the power that raised Christ from the dead is at work for me, greater than any weakness or opposition I face. Help me grasp the greatness of that power, Lord, and rely on it, rather than on my own strength alone. Open the eyes of my heart to know it.