Ephesians 1:18 kjv

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 1:18 nkjv

the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 1:18 niv

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Ephesians 1:18 esv

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 1:18 nlt

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called ? his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

Ephesians 1 verses

Ephesians 1 18 Meaning

This verse is part of an intercessory prayer by the Apostle Paul for the Ephesian believers. It expresses a desire for God to supernaturally enlighten their deepest inner being, metaphorically referred to as the "eyes of their understanding" or "heart." The purpose of this spiritual illumination is so they may fully grasp and experientially comprehend three profound truths of their salvation. Specifically, it highlights the secure future expectation connected with God's divine calling, and the immense, glorious abundance of the inheritance that God has prepared and reserved for His holy people, the saints.

Ephesians 1 18 Context

Ephesians chapter 1 opens with Paul's customary greeting (vv.1-2), followed by a majestic doxology (vv.3-14) which praises God for the spiritual blessings bestowed upon believers in Christ before the foundation of the world. These blessings include election, adoption, redemption through Christ's blood, forgiveness of sins, revealing of God's mystery, an inheritance in Christ, and sealing with the Holy Spirit. This rich theological foundation transitions into Paul's prayer for the Ephesian believers (vv.15-23), where our verse, Ephesians 1:18, is found. Paul's prayer builds upon the foundational truths he has just declared. He prays not for them to receive more spiritual blessings (as they already possess them in Christ), but for a deeper, experiential understanding and apprehension of these truths already granted. The prayer specifically requests that God would grant them "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" (v.17), leading directly to the enlightened understanding of the three aspects mentioned in verses 18-19. Historically, Ephesus was a thriving city heavily influenced by pagan worship (particularly the cult of Artemis), philosophy, and incipient Gnosticism, which emphasized secret, intellectual knowledge for salvation. Paul's prayer for divine, spiritual illumination stands in stark contrast to such worldly pursuits of knowledge.

Ephesians 1 18 Word analysis

• The eyes of your understanding: In the KJV, this renders the Greek ophthalmous tēs kardias hymōn (ὀφθαλμοὺς τῆς καρδίας ὑμῶν), which literally means "the eyes of your heart." In biblical thought, the "heart" (kardia) is not merely the emotional center, but the seat of the whole inner person: mind, will, intellect, emotion, and conscience. Therefore, "the eyes of your heart" signifies the spiritual faculty of perception and comprehension of the entire inner being. Paul prays for deep spiritual discernment, not just intellectual assent.
• being enlightened: Greek pephōtismenous (πεφωτισμένους), a perfect passive participle of phōtizō (to enlighten, illuminate, give light). The perfect tense signifies a state of being illuminated as a result of a completed action. It implies they have already received spiritual light (being born again) but Paul prays for an intensification and deeper comprehension of that existing light, a spiritual revelation that enables true spiritual knowledge.
• that ye may know: Greek eis to eidenai hymas (εἰς τὸ εἰδέναι ὑμᾶς), meaning "for you to know" or "with the result that you may know." The verb eidenai (to know) here denotes a profound, experiential, and intuitive understanding, going beyond mere factual knowledge to a deep spiritual apprehension and appropriation of truth.
• what is the hope: Greek hē elpis (ἡ ἐλπίς). Biblical "hope" is not a mere wishful thinking or possibility. It is a confident, joyful, and certain expectation rooted in God's promises and character, pertaining to future realities of salvation and glory. This hope is definitive and concrete.
• of his calling: Greek tēs klēseōs autou (τῆς κλήσεως αὐτοῦ). "Calling" (klēsis) refers to the divine, sovereign invitation and summoning of God, which draws individuals into fellowship with Him and into Christ. It encompasses God's effectual call to salvation, and it establishes a destiny. The "hope of His calling" therefore refers to the glorious destiny, privileges, and promises connected to God's act of calling them.
• and what the riches of the glory: Greek kai tis ho ploutos tēs doxēs (καὶ τίς ὁ πλοῦτος τῆς δόξης). This phrase emphasizes abundance and splendor. "Riches" (ploutos) means abundant wealth, and "glory" (doxa) signifies honor, splendor, and inherent worth, often associated with God's majesty. Together, "riches of the glory" implies an exceedingly magnificent and abundant wealth of spiritual blessing.
• of his inheritance: Greek tēs klēronomias autou (τῆς κληρονομίας αὐτοῦ). "Inheritance" (klēronomia) refers to that which is received as an heir. In this context, it speaks of what God, as Father, has irrevocably allotted and reserved for His children. It's their guaranteed share in the spiritual blessings and future glory.
• in the saints: Greek en tois hagiois (ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις). "Saints" (hagiois) refers to those who are set apart by God and consecrated to Him, all believers in Christ. The preposition en (in/among) implies that this glorious inheritance is held by the saints, it is manifested among them, and is truly for them. It underscores that this inheritance is specifically prepared and designated for the holy people of God.

• The eyes of your understanding being enlightened: This entire phrase describes the means by which believers are able to perceive spiritual truths. It’s an inward, divine work that illumines the core of one's being, granting spiritual insight beyond natural human understanding. This is crucial for truly grasping divine realities.
• Hope of His calling, and the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints: These three elements represent the primary spiritual realities Paul desires the Ephesians to deeply comprehend. The connection between the hope of their calling (their destiny by God's choice) and the inheritance (what awaits them because of this calling) underscores the certainty and richness of God's future for them. The inheritance is not abstract but concrete, reserved "in the saints," meaning it pertains directly to them and is realized among them.

Ephesians 1 18 Bonus section

The concept of "the eyes of your heart" highlights a distinct spiritual epistemology (way of knowing) where truth is apprehended not solely by human intellect but through a divinely imparted spiritual capacity. This stands in direct contrast to pagan mystery religions and Gnosticism prevalent in Ephesus, which promised secret knowledge attainable through human effort or ritual. Paul stresses that true saving knowledge and profound spiritual insight come as a gift of revelation from God. The choice of "kardia" (heart) rather than "nous" (mind) further reinforces this, emphasizing that genuine spiritual comprehension engages the entire inner person, transforming beliefs into lived experience. Some interpretations suggest "His inheritance in the saints" could also profoundly imply that the saints themselves are God's precious inheritance, echoing Old Testament themes where Israel was considered Yahweh's special possession (Deu 32:9; Psa 78:71). While less common for this verse, this perspective deepens the truth of God's immense value and delight in His redeemed people, implying that part of God's "riches of glory" is what He gains and will demonstrate through His church.

Ephesians 1 18 Commentary

Ephesians 1:18 forms the core of Paul's profound prayer for the Ephesian believers, transitioning from the foundational theological blessings in Christ to a passionate plea for their deeper apprehension of these truths. Paul recognizes that spiritual knowledge goes beyond intellectual assent; it requires divine illumination of the "eyes of the heart," which represents the totality of one's inner being—mind, will, and affections. This spiritual enlightenment is not about receiving new revelations, but about a heightened and experiential grasp of the reality of what God has already given them in Christ.

The prayer's purpose is "that ye may know" three crucial aspects of their faith. The first is "what is the hope of His calling." This points to the certain and glorious future God has established for them through His effectual call to salvation. This hope is not wishful thinking but a secure, promised reality rooted in God’s faithfulness. It encompasses the entirety of their destiny in Christ, from initial justification to ultimate glorification.

The second aspect is "what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." This describes the magnificent, abundant wealth of blessing that God has reserved for His holy people, the believers. The phrase "riches of the glory" intensifies the understanding of this inheritance, signifying it is not merely abundant, but resplendent with divine majesty. "His inheritance in the saints" underscores that this immense, glorious blessing belongs irrevocably to those who are set apart by God. It reminds believers of the unparalleled spiritual wealth they possess and are yet to fully experience through their union with Christ. This calls believers to cherish the invaluable spiritual treasures in Christ above any earthly possession. For instance, knowing this inheritance enables a believer facing persecution to find inner strength, or a financially struggling Christian to find comfort and peace, recognizing their true and eternal wealth lies in Christ.