Ephesians 1:18–21 — Eyes of the Heart

Paul has heard of the Ephesians' faith and cannot stop giving thanks — and his thanksgiving turns into one of Scripture's most beautiful prayers: that God would give them "the spirit of wisdom" and enlighten the eyes of their understanding (the Greek says, wonderfully, the eyes of the heart), to see three things: the hope of his calling, the riches of his inheritance, and the exceeding greatness of his power.

"Every name that is named"

Then the prayer climbs: that power raised Christ "far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named." In most cities that is rhetoric; in Ephesus it was a street address. This was the city of names — the magical "Ephesian letters" traded on the power of secret names; the Sceva brothers had just tried to wield a borrowed name; the mob had chanted a goddess's name for two hours. To that city Paul writes: there is a Name above every name you have ever invoked, chanted, bought or feared.

Standing in the verse

This is a verse for the upper city at golden hour, when the marble goes honey-colored and the Artemision plain spreads below. The physical eyes fill; the prayer asks for the other pair. Guests often ask for a quiet minute here, and we guard it gladly.