This prayer should be carefully compared with the first prayer in
Eph 1:15-23. Note the structure similarity and same words used. Also
compare the prayers in Eph 3:14-21
and Ph'p 1:9-11. In all 4 you will
find them introduced by the word love. This is basic and cannot be left out.
It is well to read 1 Cor 13 every
few days.
First of all, Paul is praying that the believers might be filled with a clear
knowledge of His will. This is the object of the prayer, and at the end
is the accompaniment; thankfulness that we have been made fit for the inheritance.
Now the part in between is divided into 3 parts or sections, steps which
lead from the filling to the inheritance. In the Greek we have the word
en 3 times and the word
eis 3 times. En means
in, and eis means
unto in this passage.
So the steps from filled with knowledge of His will, to partaking of the
inheritance are these:
1. a. In all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
This thorough wisdom and discernment in spiritual things is
the means by which we can;
b. Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,
so that our lives may be worthy of the Lord and perfectly pleasing to Him.
Eph 4:1.
2. a.
We must be fruitful in every good work.
This is where the good works which were before ordained that we
should walk in them take their place. And if we walk in them as a means, then;
b.
We increase in the knowledge of God
as the result or end. Contrast with those who know not God and are alienated
from the life that is in God.
3. a. Strengthened
with might according to His glorious power, that power which raised
Christ from the dead and is to usward who believe, we can go on unto;
b. all patience and longsuffering, and that with
joyfulness. And when we have come to the place we can cheerfully endure
all things with this patience and longsuffering, we are ready for the accompaniment.
The accompaniment (meta) is giving thanks
unto the Father who has made us
fit to receive our share of the inheritance in the holiest of all
in the Shekinah glory.
The starting place, then, is the knowledge of His will. Unless we know His
plan and purpose for the ages, unless we know about redemption and its extent,
our walk cannot be pleasing to Him, nor can we increase in the knowledge
of Him, and we will not have the patience and longsuffering which leads to
the inheritance. Remember that there is an inheritance which is for the church
which is the body of Christ. This cannot be taken away from the church. But
every individual should look at this prayer and so realize that an individual
may forfeit his share or part of the prize. This is shown to us by the redemption
of Israel from the land of Egypt. Not a hoof was left behind, but many did
fall in the wilderness and did not get to enter into the blessings promised
to the nation. Now read the BEWARE section,
Col 2:4-23.
