|
Women's Ministry Blog »
Saturday, September 19th, 2026 |
Do you ever wonder how many times the Ephesians might have read and reread Paul’s letter, trying to get it all? It’s so rich! We’ve spent the last several weeks looking at his prayer in chapter 1 and making his prayer our prayer for one another. This week, we are going to look at the final “sight” Paul is praying that we, as God’s children, would fully grasp with our spiritual eyes. As always, we want the context, so read the entire prayer again. (You might have it memorized by the time we’re finished!):
“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Eph. 1:15-23)
Paul is not simply praying that we would know that God is powerful. He prays more specifically that we would know that His incredible power is at work toward us who are in Christ.
What kind of power is this? Paul calls it immeasurable. Some translations say surpassing. The idea behind the original Greek is that it exceeds anything comparable. There is no other power like it. But Paul does go on to describe it, not as a power we can reproduce or even fully understand, but rather as the infinite power that raised Christ from the dead.
Do you hear what he is saying? The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us! This Spirit-infused power brought us from death to life, traded our sins for Christ’s righteousness and placed us in the Beloved Son. And Paul is passionate that we truly know this reality - that we “see” with the eyes of our hearts - so that we might live in light of this glorious truth.
Why does Paul add the next phrase “and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places”? We tend to explain the gospel in terms of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Even Paul does this in 1 Corinthians 15, so it is certainly not wrong! But Jesus did not stay on earth. (And though we don’t have time to explore it now, this is also gloriously good news!) He ascended to the right hand of His Father - to a place of highest honor, authority and privilege. This place is far above “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). It’s far above “the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (Eph. 3:10). It’s far above any other important name that ever has been or will be (Eph. 1:21).
And here at this place of highest position, not only do we see His equality with God, but we also see His role as our Mediator and Intercessor (Heb. 7:23-28; 9:24). Further, Paul will go on to say that because we are in Christ, we are spiritually seated with Him there! (Eph. 2:6)
Do you find yourself giving over to anxiety or fear?
Is your heart hardened toward someone in the Body of Christ?
Are you struggling with a besetting sin?
Are you tempted to live to earn God’s approval?
Are you desperately weary with the weights of this fallen world?
Whatever your struggle, if you are in Christ, this truth offers you incredible hope. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in you, enabling you to be victorious.
This amazing reality is something that we can only grasp through the enabling power of the Spirit - through His enlightening the eyes of our hearts. So let’s continue to pray for one another this week, that God would enable us by His Spirit to truly see and believe that we have His power at work in us.
And then may we fight in His strength to apply it, knowing that in Christ we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us this much! 🙌❤️🙏
Anna
