Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity (1890)

Ephesians 3:13-21 Christians should pray for one another.1 Hearers should also pray for their preachers and preachers diligently pray to God for their hearers. Of the apostle's prayer for the church in Ephesus; 1. how he prays, a. earnestly2, it was very much on his mind that it is blessed by the church and every member of the church. Luther: "This is an earnest prayer and wish."3 b. in the name of Jesus.4 Luther: "With it, he establishes the doctrine that no one should presume to speak to God, to entreat him for any favor, unless approaching, as Paul does here, in the name of 'the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.'"5 c. certain of being heard6; 2. for what he prays, a. that they are strong through His Spirit in the inner man7, b. that Christ dwells in their hearts8, c. that they are rooted and grounded in the love of Christ and rightly admire it 9, d. that they give God all glory10. Now also faithful hearers see from this what they themselves ask for themselves from the pious God and how they should do this. Gnther

1 2

1 Timothy 2:1-2. Ephesians 3:14 ("I bow my knees"). 3 Church Postils. 4 Ephesians 3:14 ("Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.). 5 ibid. 6 Ephesians 3:20. 7 Ephesians 3:16. 8 Ephesians 3:17. 9 Ephesians 3:17-19. 10 Ephesians 3:20-21.