Easter Season · Ascension of the Lord · Year C
Ephesians 1:15-23
Thanksgiving and Prayer
Overview & Insights
“God… seated him at his right hand… far above all rule and authority.” (Ephesians 1:20–21)
From the context of 1:15–2:10 it appears that these verses form the next major section of Ephesians. The apostle has just finished recalling the spiritual blessings that God, through Christ, has bestowed upon all believers. From this universal truth, he turns to something more specific: His thoughts move from doxology to prayer; he reminds his readers that he thanks God for them (vv. 15, 16) and that he prays specifically that they will have the necessary wisdom to understand these blessings in Christ (vv. 17–19).
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Commentary
Commentary on Ephesians 1:15-23 Working Preacher
The RCL's own Year C exegesis for this exact passage.
Ephesians 1:15-23 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching-focused reading of Paul's prayer and the exaltation of Christ.
Ephesians 1 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical walkthrough of the whole chapter, including this prayer.
Ephesians 1:15-17 Commentary Precept Austin
A study-Bible style compilation of classic commentators on the opening of the prayer.
Ephesians 1:15 Commentaries BibleHub
One-page aggregation of public-domain commentaries on the verse.
Background & Word Study
Ephesians 1:15 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for the key terms 'power,' 'might,' and 'far above.'
Ephesians Course Enter the Bible
An academic overview of Ephesians as background for Paul's prayer in chapter 1.
Book of Ephesians Summary BibleProject
A short video mapping the literary design of Ephesians, which opens with this prayer.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What does Ephesians say about Christ’s reign?
Paul prays the church would know the hope of their calling and the power that raised Christ and enthroned him above every rule and authority, head over all things for the church (Ephesians 1:15–23), the enthroned King of the feast.
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