This article provides a series of content and application questions on Ephesians 1:15-23.

2 pages.

Ephesians 1:15-23 – Prayer That Christians May Realize God's Purpose and Power

What is the “reason” Paul refers to in verse 15?
In verse 17 Paul prays that God may give the Ephesians “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.” Does this mean that they have not yet been given the Holy Spirit?

Doesn’t that contradict 1:13-14? How should we understand what Paul says here?
Should we pray today for the Spirit? If we believe, do we not already have the Spirit?
What is the significance of Paul praying for “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” rather than simply “the Spirit of revelation”?

What is wisdom?
In verses 16 and 17 Paul does not just “ask” God, but “keeps asking.” What does this say about our natural blindness in what we pray for?
In verse 18 Paul prays that the hearts of the Ephesians may be “enlightened”. What does he want them to know?

How would you explain to a child what he wants them to know?
In verse 18 Paul prays that the Ephesians may know the riches of God’s glorious inheritance. Why does he add the words “in the saints”? (cf. Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 21, Q&A 55)
Do we, in our personal prayers, tend to pray the same things as Paul does in this passage?

What does the Spirit (through this passage) instruct us regarding the content of our prayers?
Does it make a difference that Paul was an apostle whereas we are not?
The power of God that causes us to believe is the same power that raised Christ from the dead. Why is that comforting to know?

Where else do we read about the Power of God?
God placed Christ over everything “for the church”. (v.22) What does that mean?

How does that give comfort nowadays, when the church is treated as irrelevant?
How is the church “the fullness of Christ”?

What does this mean?
How is this comforting?