Ephesians 1:15-23

(15) В¶ Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, (16) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; (17) 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: (18) 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 saints, (19) And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (20) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (21) Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (22) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (23) Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

The Apostle, having in the former part of this most blessed Chapter, brought forward some of the immense mercies, resulting from Jehovah's love in his Personal manifestations to the Church; now follows the whole with prayer, that the Church might be favored with such apprehensions of the same, as centered in Christ; and such as might safely carry her through all her time-state upon earth, until brought home to everlasting glory in heaven. There is somewhat truly blessed, and sublime, in this prayer of the Apostle. It carries with it indeed, the most decided proofs, of the Apostle's having been taught it, by the Holy Ghost. Neither can the imagination conceive, anything more highly important, for the Lord's redeemed ones to have a full apprehension concerning, than what Paul prays for. How truly blessed, to have the eyes spiritually enlightened, to the consciousness of being redeemed from all the dreadful consequences of the Adam-fall transgression; forgiven all sins, and sealed to everlasting safety and happiness in Christ, with that Holy Spirit of promise? And when these mercies are so incorporated in the mind, in the knowledge of the hope of Christ's calling, and the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; what additional sweetness, in point of testimony, the whole proves, in running up the contemplation to the source of all, in God's everlasting love? We then see, both God's choice, and our adoption-character secured, beyond the possibility of doubt, and all centered in Christ for his Church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. The Lord, who gave Paul the spirit of prayer for the Church, graciously answers it in mercy; and all blessings must follow, to the Lord's glory, and the Church's happiness in Christ!