Ephesians 1:17
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,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Paul's prayer isn't just for a general feeling of wisdom, but for a very specific kind: the "Spirit of wisdom and revelation." This highlights that true spiritual understanding isn't just about knowing more facts, but about God actively revealing divine truths to us, transforming how we perceive Him. It's a call for God to open our eyes to His deeper realities through His Spirit.
Paul begins by expressing his gratitude for the Ephesians' faith and love, but he doesn't stop at thanksgiving. He immediately transitions into prayer, asking God to grant them a deeper spiritual understanding. This verse is the heart of that prayer, where Paul asks for God to impart a "spirit of wisdom and revelation" that leads to a profound knowledge of Him.
Paul starts this prayer by addressing God with incredible titles. What does it mean to call God 'the Father of glory'?
When Paul calls God 'the Father of glory,' he's not just saying God is glorious, but that He is the ultimate source and origin of all glory. Think of it like the sun being the source of all light in a room. This title highlights God's supreme majesty and His role as the One from whom all true glory flows, including the glory we see in Jesus.
This isn't just a poetic description; it grounds our understanding of God. He is not only the powerful Creator but also the One who is supremely glorious and from whom all splendor originates. It sets the stage for understanding the immense spiritual blessings He bestows.
Paul prays for believers to receive a specific kind of 'spirit.' What makes this spiritual gift so crucial?
Paul isn't just asking for a general sense of well-being; he's praying for the impartation of a 'spirit of wisdom and revelation.' This refers to the Holy Spirit actively working within believers to grant them:
When these work together, the believer gains profound insight into God's character and purposes, moving from a superficial understanding to a deep, experiential knowledge.
Why does Paul link receiving the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to 'the knowledge of Him'?
The ultimate aim of receiving the Spirit of wisdom and revelation is to grow in our knowledge of God. This isn't just about accumulating facts about God, but about entering into a richer, more intimate, and transforming relationship with Him.
Understand the original words
epignōsis · Greek Noun
Spiritual and intellectual grasp of God's truth, character, and will. It goes beyond mere information, implying an intimate, relational acquaintance with God.
apokalypsis · Greek Noun
Divine communication where God makes known mysteries or truths that would otherwise be unknowable to human reason alone. It is the unveiling of God's character and purposes.
This passage shows Jesus referring to God as 'my God' and 'your God' after His resurrection, echoing the idea of God being the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, as mentioned in Ephesians 1:17.
1 Corinthians 2:10Paul speaks of God revealing His will through the Spirit, paralleling the 'spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him' that Ephesians 1:17 prays for.
Colossians 1:9This verse contains a prayer for believers to be filled with the knowledge of God's will, which directly relates to the 'knowledge of Him' and the 'spirit of wisdom and revelation' sought in Ephesians 1:17.
1 John 5:20This verse states that 'the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.' This highlights the connection between Christ and true knowledge of God, which is central to the prayer in Ephesians 1:17.
Matthew 11:27Jesus declares that 'all things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.' This emphasizes Jesus' unique role in revealing God, aligning with the prayer for a spirit of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
cambridgeEphesians 1:17: "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:"
17 . the God of our Lord Jesus Christ ] Cp. the Saviour’s own words on the Cross, “Eli, Eli” ( Matthew 27:46 ); and after Resurrection ( John 20:17 ), “I ascend unto … my God.” See also John 4:22 .—The Father is the God of the Son Incarnate, in a sense which, however partially, we may be said to understand. Hence in the two passages just qu…
bengelEphesians 1:17: "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:"
Ephesians 1:17 . Ἵνα , that ) A subject of prayer for true Christians.— ὁ πατὴρ τῆς δόξης , the Father of glory ) That infinite glory, which shines in the face of Christ; nay, more, [the Father] of the glory, which is the Son of God Himself; by whom also the glorious inheritance will become ours, Ephesians 1:18 .— Πνεῦμα σοφίας καὶ ἀποκαλύψ…
Paul's prayer isn't just for a general feeling of wisdom, but for a very specific kind: the "Spirit of wisdom and revelation." This highlights that true spiritual understanding isn't just about knowing more facts, but about God actively revealing divine truths to us, transforming how we perceive Him. It's a call for God to open our eyes to His deeper realities through His Spirit.
Paul begins by expressing his gratitude for the Ephesians' faith and love, but he doesn't stop at thanksgiving. He immediately transitions into prayer, asking God to grant them a deeper spiritual understanding. This verse is the heart of that prayer, where Paul asks for God to impart a "spirit of wisdom and revelation" that leads to a profound knowledge of Him.
Paul begins by expressing his gratitude for the Ephesians' faith and love, but he doesn't stop at thanksgiving. He immediately transitions into prayer, asking God to grant them a deeper spiritual understanding. This verse is the heart of that prayer, where Paul asks for God to impart a "spirit of wisdom and revelation" that leads to a profound knowledge of Him.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Ephesians 1:17 is available in the Sola app.
The Greek word used here, 'epignosis,' implies a deeper, more thorough, and experiential knowledge than a basic 'gnosis.' It's the kind of knowing that comes from firsthand experience and deep understanding.
This 'knowledge of Him' is the very soil in which wisdom and revelation flourish. The more we truly know God—His character, His love, His power—the more we can understand His Word, His ways, and His will for our lives. It’s a continuous cycle: knowing God leads to wisdom and revelation, which in turn deepens our knowledge of Him.
"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," — Paul's prayer isn't just for a general feeling of wisdom, but for a very specific kind: the "Spirit of wisdom and revelation." This highlights that true spiritual understanding isn't just about knowi…
