Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity (1887)

Ephesians 3:13-21 We see, among other things, what is necessary for a man who has come to Christ from what Paul has done for Christians who had been converted to Christianity through his ministry. Depending on their need, he has taught, admonished, encouraged, comforted, warned and punished from God's Word. And for what purpose did he do it? So that they grow and increase in knowledge and in faith, are strong and firm and would remain Christians. But he has borne them on a prayerful heart, and our present Epistle is a proof for that; because he himself testifies to that to the Christians in Ephesus that he also remembers them before God in his prayer. Of the apostle's intercession for the Christians at Ephesus; 1. the content of his intercession; he asks for them, a. that they might be strong through the Holy Spirit in the inner man1, b. that Christ would dwell in their hearts by faith2, c. they would be more deeply rooted and firmly grounded in the love of God3; 2. the purpose of his intercession; he asks for them, a. that for the sake of his afflictions they do not grow weary, but remain constant in faith4, b. that they are filled with all the fullness of God by the knowledge of the grace of God and love of their Savior5, c. that they would praise God not only here, but also in eternity.6

1 2

Ephesians 3:14-16. Ephesians 3:17a. 3 Ephesians 3:17b. 4 Ephesians 3:13-15. 5 Ephesians 3:18-19. 6 Ephesians 3:20-21.