Ephesians 1:15-23

"15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 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, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. "

(NIV)

General Commentary

Again, remember, Paul is in prison - being persecuted, and hence suffering. Instead of getting upset with God, He is encouraging the Church, praying for them, and reminding them of the riches of glorious inheritance that they have from God! Wow, How do you do that?!

(Nevertheless, we should also do the same - always encourage other believers and pray for them, even in bad times!)

I would say the answer to this question is partially in verse 17: "KNOW HIM (JESUS) BETTER"!

Also, since Paul has been experiencing God richly (specifically in ways described in verse 17-20), He is perhaps now sharing some Godly wisdom from those experiences, especially in hard times as these.

Paul reminds us of the "incomparably great power" (verse 19) that is there to help us to live under God's will. Especially, when we are going through difficult times, as Paul is going through in the prison. This power is the same that raises people from dead and also the same as the one that partook in creation of heaven and earth in Genesis 1. This power is now in Christians (Romans 8:9)! That is a lot of power in a Christian! So why does a Christian need to worry? Instead a Christian should focus in "Seeking His Kingdom First" (Matthew 6:33).

Verse 21-22: Know who you are serving! Jesus is infinitely above and greater than any CEO of a company, earthly King, or any president of America, that ever lived and will ever live (So, do not fear anybody or any circumstance, except God)! Yet Jesus came on earth in lowly conditions (from from the riches of any earthly King) and washed feet of His disciples. Specifically He became the greatest servant of all! So, we serve the greatest servant of all!

Verse 23 reminds us God is everywhere. Even when we are going through difficult times, God is at hand.