Thankful for the Saints

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 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, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Author: Paul

Audience: All the Saints

Content: Commending the church for faith and love

Context: Eph 1:15-23 Are a prayer for wisdom and revelation

Comparison: Acts 19, Acts 20:17-28

Explanation

Verse 15: For this reason

Not a summary of what has been said, but a summary of what Paul is about to say

Application

Saving Faith recognizes Jesus as Lord

Verse 15: because I have heard of your faith

Defining Faith

Is our Faith reported by others?

Saving Faith is evidenced by loving one another

Verse 15: and your love toward all the saints

On the footnote…

The phrase is present in MMS

Why would some manuscripts omit a word/phrase?

Human error

Cultural teaching/understanding

Remember: Sometimes an omission is an addition! (Matt 6:13 - “for Yours is the Kingdom and power and glory, forever. Amen”

Defining love

Let’s see how Paul uses this word elsewhere:

Ephesians 2:4 ESV

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

Ephesians 3:17 ESV

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

Ephesians 3:19 ESV

19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:15–16 ESV

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Love that is:

characterized by God’s mercy

possible by having Christ in your heart through faith

not rewarded based on your knowledge

filling us with the attributes of God Himself

displaying humility/gentleness/patience

only speaking truth

building the body of Christ/the church

Is this love reported?

May 6, 2021 Edition of the Navarre Press

Our aim is not to love in a way that we are recognized, but to love one another so genuinely and deeply that other believers recognize the work of Christ among us.

John 13:34–35 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 15:12–13 ESV

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Call to Action

Saving faith recognizes Jesus as Lord:

Salvation

Obedience

Saving faith is evidenced by loving one another:

Spend time with the people you love

Recognize needs and meet them

Give your own life for their sake

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