What does Ephesians 1:18 mean?
Paul's prayer moves from wisdom and revelation in 1:17 to add enlightenment and knowledge in this verse. The emphasis in this context is on understanding what God has already done and provided. This is not referring to new insights or predictions of future events. These believers already knew the facts of salvation and the believer's future hope with God. However, Paul wants them to better understand the importance of these blessings. This is key to maintaining passion for good works, instead of becoming spiritually joyless (Revelation 2:1–4).Both salvation and eternity with the Lord are tremendous gifts. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9) and came at the cost of Jesus' death on the cross. Eternity with the Lord is a future gift that each believer can anticipate in this life, yet will not experience until after this life. This future hope is a tremendous motivation for holy living, sharing one's faith, and for life eternal.