A Rhetorical Analysis Of Ephesians 1: 15-17

Detailed Analysis

Vv. 15-16: I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.

Paul’s introductory phrase “for this reason” takes us back to the introductory blessing (1: 3-14) and is the basis for Paul’s prayer. Paul begins this prayer report giving thanks for and encouragement to his audience. Many have taken “I have heard of your faith” as evidence against an Ephesian audience but this does not necessarily imply that Paul does not know them. Some suggest this is Paul responding to a recent report of encouraging news he had received concerning the Ephesians. The best explanation is that Paul intended this to be

First, “the prayer is for believers to seize what they have already been offered. There are several references to wisdom in Ephesians (cf.1: 8, 17; 3: 10; 5: 15) .” Paul makes it clear that the “wisdom and revelation of knowledge” is a work of God and not a work of the people. This means that enlightening is done to them, not by them. “Paul appeals to the powerful and glorious Father to give his Spirit to believers, or more specifically that the Spirit they already possess (1: 3-14) will grant them deeper wisdom and revelation in knowing God better.” “Because of their background in pagan religions and the practice of magic, the readers of this letter must become thoroughly convinced that the God to whom they have now given their full allegiance is indeed greater and more powerful than all the other gods and spirits they once served

The question has been whether or not (“the fullness”) refers to Jesus or to the church. Some contend that the church is the fullness of Jesus (meaning that Jesus is fulfilled by the church). This interpretation must be rejected not only because of bad theology, but also because of context. Others interpret that Jesus is the fullness of the church (meaning that the church is not complete without Jesus). While the second interpretation is theologically sound, it still does not work in the greater context of Ephesians. While Jesus independently maintains his fullness, the church is actually becoming the fullness of Christ. This interpretation is confirmed by all that follows in Ephesians: The church is growing into his fullness (4:15). She is the bride of Christ (5:25) and therefore the two shall become one (5:31-32). As Jesus has been raised and exalted, so shall the church (2:6). Therefore, Jesus is independently complete, while the church is becoming the fullness of Jesus; it is being transformed into his image (2 Cor 3:18). “The ecclesial conclusion of the thanksgiving sounds a motif that will reappear in the letter. Christ’s body, the church, experiences the divine life and power of God that fills all things .” “In conclusion, the final clause of this section of the letter asserts that the church is filled with power and grace from its exalted Lord, who, in turn, extends his reign