What does Ephesians 1:17 mean?
This verse adds two details to Paul's prayers. First, Paul specifies exactly to whom he is praying: God the Father. However, Paul again also includes references to all three Persons of the Trinity, God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and then mentions the "Spirit of wisdom." This Spirit is capitalized in most versions, indicating that translators believe Paul refers here to the Holy Spirit. This is one of a dozen mentions of the Holy Spirit in this letter.Paul also provides two specific points regarding what he prayed for regarding the Ephesian Christians. Paul has already mentioned the importance of wisdom in Ephesians 1:8. Later, he will refer to the "manifold wisdom of God" in Ephesians 3:10. Here, Paul refers to revelation in a particular sense. The revelation spoken of here is connected with wisdom, and involves knowing God's plan for their lives. This is distinct from "general revelation," which is God revealing Himself through nature (Psalm 19). This is also not the same thing as "specific revelation," which is the written word of God (2 Timothy 3:16).