15-19 That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

20-23 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

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17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,(A) may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom(B) and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened(C) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called(D) you, the riches(E) of his glorious inheritance(F) in his holy people,(G) 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power(H) is the same as the mighty strength(I) 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead(J) and seated him at his right hand(K) in the heavenly realms,(L) 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,(M) and every name(N) that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.(O) 22 And God placed all things under his feet(P) and appointed him to be head(Q) over everything for the church, 23 which is his body,(R) the fullness of him(S) who fills everything in every way.(T)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:17 Or a spirit

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 fulness of him that filleth all in all.

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