Ephesians 1:15-16
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Paul begins by noting his thanksgiving is prompted by hearing of their foundational Christian qualities: faith directed towards Jesus and love extending to all believers. This phrasing hints that "faith in the Lord Jesus" is the root, and their love for other Christians is the natural, flowing fruit of that faith.
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,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul begins by giving thanks to God for the Ephesians, spurred by news he's heard about their strong faith in Jesus and their love for other believers. This leads him into a prayer that God would grant them even greater wisdom and deeper understanding, so they can truly grasp the immense power God has displayed in bringing them to salvation and to their current standing in Christ.
Paul doesn't just mention their faith; he specifies where it's placed. What does this tell us about the true nature of saving faith?
Paul opens his expression of gratitude by highlighting two crucial aspects of the Ephesians' spiritual lives: their faith and their love. He begins with 'faith in the Lord Jesus.' This isn't just a passive belief; it's an active trust placed in Christ.
Faith as Trust
Following faith, Paul mentions 'love toward all the saints.' Why is this love so essential, and how does it connect to our faith?
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Immediately after speaking of faith, Paul highlights their 'love toward all the saints.' This love isn't an optional add-on; it's presented as an inseparable outflow of genuine faith.
Love as Evidence
Understand the original words
pistis · Greek Noun
A firm conviction, trust, and reliance upon the truth of God’s word and the person of Jesus Christ; it is the fundamental response of a believer to the gospel.
agapē · Greek Noun
A sacrificial, self-giving commitment that seeks the best for others, reflecting the love that God has shown toward His people.
hagios · Greek Noun/Adjective
Those who have been set apart for God; it refers to the community of believers who are made holy through their union with Christ.
eucharistōn · Greek Verb
The act of expressing gratitude, typically to God, acknowledging His grace and actions on behalf of His people. It is a fundamental component of Christian prayer and worship.
The 'hearing' of the Ephesians' faith and love implies a time lapse since Paul's direct ministry among them, highlighting that his message of encouragement and spiritual insight in this letter is based on reports received during his imprisonment.
c. AD 52-55
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
Paul spent approximately three years in Ephesus, a major Roman city and the capital of the province of Asia. This period was marked by significant growth of the church and Paul's extensive ministry.
c. AD 55-57
Paul's Departure from Ephesus
After his extended ministry, Paul departed from Ephesus, leaving the church under the care of elders like Timothy. He later wrote to them from prison.
c. AD 60-62— this verse
Paul Writes Ephesians from Prison
The Apostle Paul, while imprisoned (likely in Rome), penned the letter to the Ephesians. He had heard reports of their steadfast faith and love for one another, prompting his thanksgiving and prayer for them.
Similar to Ephesians, Paul expresses gratitude upon hearing about the Colossians' faith and love, highlighting these as foundational Christian virtues.
1 Thessalonians 1:3This passage connects faith, love, and hope as the enduring marks of believers, echoing the specific graces Paul acknowledges in the Ephesians.
Galatians 5:6This verse directly links faith and love, stating that in Christ Jesus neither is of any value without the other, reinforcing why Paul mentions them together.
1 Timothy 1:5Paul identifies love as springing from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith, demonstrating how these graces are intertwined and originate from a genuine spiritual source.
calvinEphesians 1:15-19: "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,"
- Wherefore I also. This thanksgiving was not simply an expression of his ardent love to the Ephesians. He congratulated them before God, that the opinion which he had formed respecting them was highly favorable. Observe here, that under faith and love Paul includes generally the whole excellence of Christian character. He uses the expression, faith in the Lord Jesus, [117] beca…
gillEphesians 1:15: "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,"
Wherefore I also,.... As well as others: after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus; who is the immediate object of faith, and a very proper and suitable one; having every thing in him that is agreeable to the case and circumstances of those that trust in him. And the grace of faith, which terminates on him, is a seeing him, a beholding the glory of his person, and the fulness of…
Paul begins by noting his thanksgiving is prompted by hearing of their foundational Christian qualities: faith directed towards Jesus and love extending to all believers. This phrasing hints that "faith in the Lord Jesus" is the root, and their love for other Christians is the natural, flowing fruit of that faith.
Paul begins by giving thanks to God for the Ephesians, spurred by news he's heard about their strong faith in Jesus and their love for other believers. This leads him into a prayer that God would grant them even greater wisdom and deeper understanding, so they can truly grasp the immense power God has displayed in bringing them to salvation and to their current standing in Christ.
Paul begins by giving thanks to God for the Ephesians, spurred by news he's heard about their strong faith in Jesus and their love for other believers. This leads him into a prayer that God would grant them even greater wisdom and deeper understanding, so they can truly grasp the immense power God has displayed in bringing them to salvation and to their current standing in Christ.
"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," — Paul begins by noting his thanksgiving is prompted by hearing of their foundational Christian qualities: faith directed towards Jesus and love extending to all believers. This phrasing hints that "fa…
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Last reviewed October 2026
