Ephesians 1:16 kjv

Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Ephesians 1:16 nkjv

do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Ephesians 1:16 niv

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Ephesians 1:16 esv

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,

Ephesians 1:16 nlt

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,

Ephesians 1 verses

Ephesians 1 16 Meaning

Ephesians 1:16 expresses the Apostle Paul's unceasing posture of thanksgiving for the believers in Ephesus and his consistent practice of making specific mention of them in his prayers. This verse indicates a continuous, dedicated commitment to spiritual intercession and gratitude towards God for their faith and love, which were mentioned in the preceding verse.

Ephesians 1 16 Context

Ephesians Chapter 1 initiates with a doxology (vv. 3-14), where Paul extensively enumerates the spiritual blessings God has bestowed upon believers in Christ: election, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, inheritance, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. Following this profound declaration of God's redemptive work, Paul transitions into a prayer (vv. 15-23) that builds upon these revealed truths. Verse 16 serves as the very heart of this transition, bridging Paul's joyful acknowledgement of the Ephesians' spiritual condition (faith and love in v. 15) with his fervent petitions for their deeper spiritual understanding and revelation (vv. 17-23). Historically, this opening is characteristic of Pauline epistles, where thanksgiving often precedes significant doctrinal teaching and intercession, establishing a pastoral tone and affirming his personal investment in the recipients.

Ephesians 1 16 Word analysis

• "cease not" (οὐ παύομαι - ou pauomai):

  • Word Level: The Greek ou pauomai means "I do not cease" or "I am not stopping." The present indicative verb form emphasizes a continuous, ongoing action and an habitual practice. It denotes a settled disposition rather than an intermittent activity.
  • Significance: It reflects Paul's constant spiritual discipline and the deep, persistent care he had for the churches. This is not hyperbole but indicates a consistent dedication in his prayer life.

• "to give thanks" (εὐχαριστῶν - euchariston):

  • Word Level: A present active participle of eucharisteō, meaning "to give thanks," "to be thankful." It's connected to charis (grace), indicating gratitude for a gift freely given.
  • Significance: Thanksgiving is a central response to God's grace and blessings, which Paul had just meticulously outlined in vv. 3-14. It acknowledges divine authorship of their faith and spiritual status.

• "for you" (ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν - hyper hymōn):

  • Word Level: The preposition hyper can mean "on behalf of," "concerning," or "for the sake of." Hymōn is the plural "you," referring to the Ephesian believers.
  • Significance: It indicates the direct object and beneficiaries of his thanksgiving. Paul's gratitude is specifically directed for God's work in them, reinforcing his pastoral connection.

• "making mention" (μνείαν ποιούμενος - mneian poioumenos):

  • Word Level: Mneian (mention, remembrance) and poioumenos (making, doing, performing, from poieō). Together, literally "making remembrance" or "bringing to mind." This is a common Greek idiom for "making mention of." The present middle participle suggests an action performed by Paul for his own benefit (i.e., to truly remember them).
  • Significance: It indicates a specific, intentional act of remembering the Ephesians during his prayers. This suggests intimacy and personalized intercession rather than generic petitions. Paul was not just thinking of "churches in general."

• "of you" (ὑμῶν - hymōn):

  • Word Level: Genitive plural "of you," specifying who is being remembered.
  • Significance: Reaffirms the personal and specific nature of his intercession.

• "in my prayers" (ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου - epi tōn proseuchōn mou):

  • Word Level: Epi (on, in, upon), tōn proseuchōn (the prayers, dative plural), mou (my). Refers to the dedicated times of communication with God.
  • Significance: It highlights the formal setting of prayer where Paul engages in this constant thanksgiving and remembrance. This is not mere well-wishing but a spiritual discipline.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "cease not to give thanks for you": This phrase signifies Paul's consistent attitude of gratitude toward God on account of the Ephesian believers. It speaks to an unremitting spiritual discipline rooted in observation of God's work in their lives, implying a recognition of God's faithfulness and their responsive faith. It underlines the interconnectedness of gratitude and divine activity.
  • "making mention of you in my prayers": This phrase moves beyond general gratitude to specific, focused intercession. It reveals Paul's practice of personalized prayer, where he verbally presents the Ephesians before God during his designated prayer times. It illustrates the pastoral heart of Paul, actively bringing the needs and spiritual state of the flock before the Divine Shepherd.

Ephesians 1 16 Bonus section

• This verse illustrates a key aspect of healthy spiritual leadership: consistent, heartfelt intercession for those being led. Paul's thanksgiving fuels his intercession.
• The connection between verse 15 (their faith and love) and verse 16 highlights that observation of spiritual growth in others naturally provokes thanksgiving to God and renewed prayer.
• Paul's consistent practice reminds believers of the New Testament imperative for unceasing prayer, not as a burdensome obligation but as a continuous spiritual breath flowing from a heart filled with gratitude.
• The personal pronoun "my prayers" shows that despite being a universal Apostle, Paul engaged in individual, private prayer times where he diligently remembered the believers by name or by group, signifying a deep level of pastoral care.

Ephesians 1 16 Commentary

Ephesians 1:16 beautifully reveals Paul's vibrant prayer life, which seamlessly integrated thanksgiving and intercession. His commitment to "cease not" demonstrates that prayer for Paul was not an intermittent task but a continuous disposition and practice, indicative of his unwavering spiritual commitment and profound pastoral love. The foundation of this constant thanksgiving was his understanding of God's magnificent blessings poured out upon believers, as elaborated in the preceding verses. He was grateful not for their personal achievements, but for the evidences of God's grace in their faith and love (Eph 1:15). This thanksgiving was immediately followed by "making mention of you in my prayers," illustrating that his gratitude propelled him into specific, intentional intercession. Paul models for believers that genuine appreciation for God's work in others naturally leads to fervent and specific prayer on their behalf, a practice vital for the unity and spiritual growth of the Body of Christ. His example emphasizes that Christian service includes regular, personalized prayer for fellow believers, recognizing that their spiritual strength and flourishing are dependent on divine wisdom and power (as prayed for in the subsequent verses).