An Overview of Ephesians
By Joe Guagliardo
Ephesians 1:15-23
“Open the eyes of my heart Lord.”
August 1, 2023
Most of you have heard or sung the song, “Open the eyes of my heart Lord.” It was actually written and released in 2000 by, Paul Baloche. In 2001 it was released by Michael W. Smith. The song has become a standard in Contemporary Christian Music.
Here is the first verse and Chorus:
“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin’ in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy”
(Open the eyes of my heart Lord, Lyrics, Michael. W. Smith, Google.com.)
What many people don’t know, is that the song is based on Ephesians 1:18:
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”
Ephesians 1:18
Now that you know this, let’s take a look at today’s Epistle verses in their entirety.
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Ephesians 1:15-23
In verses 15-17, Paul is praising the Ephesians that are followers of Jesus Christ. He is overjoyed by their words and actions.
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
This is quite a different opening than Paul had for the Galatians. He not only continues to pray for the believers in Ephesus, but, he continues to ask God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to give them wisdom. In this way, they will know God at an even deeper level.
Then, comes the song verse, from which Paul Baloche’s song, “Open the eyes of my heart Lord,” comes.
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”
Once again, Paul is using positive words to the Ephesians. He wishes that their eyes are opened, and they understand the “hope” God has called them to.
“in the Bible, hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised, and its strength is in His faithfulness.”
“https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/Christian Hope”
The Hope, Paul is speaking of is not like a female child saying, “I hope I get a Barbie for Christmas.” Instead, it is a knowing hope of receiving what God has promised us.
Paul now speaks of God’s Power
“and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
Paul tends to run his sentences a bit, doesn’t he? 😊
God’s power is so great it cannot be measured or quantified
(https://www.bibleref.com/Ephesians)
But, the same power that He (God) showed when He raised Christ from the dead. The same power God showed when He seated Jesus on His Right side and gave the dominion over His earthly Kingdom. God shows that same power to those of us who believe.
Paul closes this chapter by reinforcing once again who God put in charge of the planet.
“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Very simply put, God has put Jesus in charge. He is over the church. Paul is very firm about this fact. It’s not about him (or you or me); it’s all about Jesus.
He (Jesus) is our Lord and Savior.
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