Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 1:17

"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;" — Ephesians 1:17 (ASV)

The apostle addresses his constant prayer on their behalf to God, the only one who is capable of answering it (v.3). “Glorious Father” is a typical expression that points both to God’s essential being and to what proceeds from it in mercy (v.7). Paul prays that his readers may be fully endowed with the Holy Spirit. God has already made provision for this, but it was necessary that they themselves should be quickened with the spiritual powers of wisdom and vision. “Revelation” (GK 637) refers here to the insight and discernment that the Spirit brings into the mysteries of divine truth (1 Corinthians 2:14, 16). All this is so that they may get to “know” God more completely.