Ephesians 1:17 is a prayer from Apostel Paul wanting to know more about Lord Jesus. Here is the verse from 3 versions of the Bible.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Version NKJV)
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Version NIV)
[I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]. (Version AMP)
Paul knew that there was more to be known of Lord Jesus Christ than what is mentioned in the scriptures. He desired to know Him in an insatiable manner. We have glimpses of the Wisdom and Revelation he gleamed expressed in the Epistles in the New Testament.
When we read the Bible, we understand it. But there is deeper dimension of knowing and understanding only possible through the Holy Spirit.
We know that there are three persons in the Holy Spirit – the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three persons are mentioned in today’s verse.
This prayer of Paul for the people in the church of Ephesus, is about you and me knowing God the Father. Knowing God through Jesus Christ. This is not about knowing facts. After Paul was blinded on his road to Damascus, he was prayed upon by Ananias. Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit and scales fell from his eyes; he could see. The Holy Spirit transformed Paul – a change which could not be comprehended by many.
Of the 27 books in the New Testament, 50% was contributed by Paul. Although Paul was not among the 12 disciples who walked with Jesus, his great desire for knowing more about Jesus makes him known as a significant disciple.
You and I should pray this with an expectation and great hope that the Lord would give us the wisdom and revelation of Jesus.
Eventually let us be sensitive to seeing and knowing things from the perspective of Jesus Christ. Enjoy the journey. These are prayers which delight Father God. You will be surprised and have great joy as you grow in maturity of understanding Jesus and Father God. Have a blessed day.
