(17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (18) the eyes of your understanding being enlighted; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints , (19) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (20) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, (21)far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (22) And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

The letter to the Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul. In our text today it is pretty clear that God’s mighty power that saved us has exalted Christ over all rule and authority in the universe; we are saved if we believe on Him We are always in need of the Holy Spirit, not just being intellectually lazy and exposing ourselves to spiritual danger. There is always danger of spiritual pride of known doctrine rather than than allowing that doctrine to be further understood. God wants us to know the hope of His calling – there is a general call to all people – but many ignore or reject this invitation. But there is also God’s effectual call that always accomplishes God’s purpose of saving God’s chosen people. The practical application here is that our salvation does not rest on our choosing but rather Christ choosing us. God’s mighty power is not the point but rather that the eyes of our hearts (to the intellect, the emotions and the will) being enlightened. Paul wants us to know that if we believe in Christ it is not from human will, it comes from God’s mighty power. There is a difference between making a decision and being born again which requires an act of God that raises a person from death to new life.

Paul’s first pray in our verses is offered not only for divine counsel and prayer for the Ephesians but for all people of God – a petition for those already saved. If you are a Christian you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you giving you insight into the truth found in the word of God. All Scripture is divinely inspired. It was not merely the intellect Paul has in mind, it it’s the truth in your heart and mind.

If you are a Christian, God’s mighty power is already yours but perhaps you may not be aware of what you possess.
You have God’s power to overcome temptation and live a holy life. If you have no desire to overcome sin and represent Christ on this earth you may have not been raised from spiritual death to spiritual life. It is the eyes of the heart that spiritually discerns. That is why people must be born again, otherwise they cannot understand the things of God