Ephesians 1:15

Ephesians 1:15

Ephesians 1:15 shares Paul’s gratitude and knowledge of the believers’ faith and love. Word by word: after hearing of their faith in the Lord Jesus and love toward all the saints, Paul expresses his ongoing prayer. This shows that genuine faith is evidenced by love in the community; faith isn’t private but outwardly visible through relationships within the body of Christ. Paul’s practice of mention and prayer underscores his pastoral care and his desire for spiritual maturity for his readers. The verse connects faith, love, and perseverance as markers of a living trust in Christ. It also frames prayer as a pastoral response to faithful communities: intercession grounded in recognizing their trust and love.

The verse emphasizes the inseparability of authentic faith and love within the Christian life. It highlights a missional dimension: faith in Christ manifests in loving others, a countertest to self-centered religion. Paul’s prayer language signals that spiritual growth involves knowledge—knowing God more deeply, understanding his will, and living accordingly. It also highlights the communal nature of salvation, as love for the saints reflects the adopted family’s dynamics.

Cultivate faith and love in practice. In your local church or family, nurture relationships with fellow believers—encourage, forgive, and serve. Let your faith be visible through acts of love that include not only those you naturally like but also those who challenge you. In personal spiritual growth, seek to deepen knowledge of Christ—through Scripture, prayer, and community. When you hear of others’ faith and love, respond with gratitude and prayer, asking God to deepen their spiritual maturity and your own. Use this as a measure of health in your faith: do you see faith aligning with concrete love for others?

Cross-References: Colossians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 John 3:14; Galatians 5:6; Philippians 1:9-11