Ephesians 1:15

KJV

¶ Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore {G1223}{G5124} I also {G2504}, after I heard {G191} of {G2596} your {G5209} faith {G4102} in {G1722} the Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424}, and {G2532} love {G26} unto {G1519} all {G3956} the saints {G40},

Complete Jewish Bible

For this reason, ever since I heard about your trust in the Lord Yeshua and your love for all God’s people,

Berean Standard Bible

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

American Standard Version

For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show toward all the saints,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following a magnificent declaration of the spiritual blessings bestowed upon believers in Christ, Paul transitions to a heartfelt expression of thanksgiving and prayer for the Ephesian church. This verse, Ephesians 1:15, marks the beginning of Paul's intercession, revealing that his gratitude is deeply rooted in the confirmed reports he has received regarding their vibrant faith in the Lord Jesus and their demonstrable love for all fellow believers. It establishes the spiritual vitality of the Ephesian community as the foundation for his subsequent petitions for their deeper knowledge and understanding.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ephesians 1:15 serves as a crucial pivot point in Paul's letter. The preceding verses (Ephesians 1:3-14) are a grand theological exposition, a single, flowing Greek sentence overflowing with doxology for God's redemptive plan, encompassing election, adoption, redemption, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. This section establishes the divine initiative and the vast spiritual inheritance of believers. With verse 15, Paul shifts from theological declaration to pastoral application, moving from "what God has done" to "how the Ephesians are responding" and "what Paul prays for them." It sets the stage for his profound prayer for spiritual enlightenment and power in [Ephesians 1:16-23](/ephesians/1-16-23 "Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom and Revelation").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Ephesus was a major metropolitan center in the Roman province of Asia Minor, renowned for its temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a hub of pagan worship, magic, and diverse philosophical thought, making the establishment and growth of a Christian community particularly challenging yet significant. The church in Ephesus had been founded by Paul during his third missionary journey (as described in [Acts 19](/acts/19 "Paul's Ministry in Ephesus")), and he had spent over two years teaching there. The reports of their "faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints" would have been especially encouraging given the pervasive idolatry and moral challenges of their cultural environment, indicating a genuine transformation and adherence to Christ's teachings amidst a hostile backdrop.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Ephesians and Paul's broader theology. It highlights the **interconnectedness of faith and love** as the twin pillars of Christian maturity, demonstrating that true belief in Christ inevitably expresses itself in tangible love for the community of believers. It reinforces the theme of **apostolic thanksgiving and intercession**, a common feature in Paul's letters (e.g., [Philippians 1:3-6](/philippians/1-3-6 "Paul's Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Philippians")), underscoring his deep pastoral concern and joy over the spiritual progress of his converts. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **spiritual growth and knowledge**, as Paul's subsequent prayer in [Ephesians 1:17-19](/ephesians/1-17-19 "Paul's Prayer for Wisdom and Revelation") builds upon this foundation of existing faith and love, seeking a deeper apprehension of the glorious truths already declared.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** G191. This primary verb signifies "to hear" in various senses, including to give audience, to come to the ears, or to understand. In this context, it indicates Paul's reception of information, suggesting that the spiritual vitality of the Ephesian church was not a secret but widely known, likely through messengers or fellow believers who had visited. It implies an active, attentive hearing that leads to a response of thanksgiving.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** G4102. Derived from a word meaning "persuasion," _pístis_ encompasses credence, moral conviction of religious truth, and especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. It is not merely intellectual assent but a profound, active trust and faithfulness. Here, it refers to the Ephesians' genuine and active belief in the person and work of the Lord Jesus, forming the bedrock of their Christian identity.
* **love (Greek, _agápē'_):** G26. This term denotes a specific kind of love: affection, benevolence, and often, in the New Testament, a divine, unconditional, and self-sacrificial love. Distinct from mere human affection (_philia_) or desire (_erōs_), _agápē_ is volitional and active, demonstrating care and concern for others, even those who may not be inherently lovable. Its presence among the Ephesians indicates a practical outworking of their faith.
* **saints (Greek, _hágios'_):** G40. Meaning "sacred," "pure," "morally blameless," or "consecrated," _hágios_ refers to all believers who are set apart by God for His purposes. It does not denote a select, elite group but rather the entire body of Christ, consecrated through their union with Him. The phrase "love unto all the saints" therefore emphasizes the comprehensive and inclusive nature of their love, extending to every member of the Christian community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore I also":** This phrase, employing the Greek conjunctions _diá_ (G1223, "through, because of") and _toûto_ (G5124, "this thing"), explicitly links Paul's subsequent thanksgiving to the preceding theological exposition (Ephesians 1:3-14). It signifies that "because of" or "for this reason" (referring to the glorious spiritual blessings just enumerated), Paul is moved to respond. The "I also" (Greek _kagṓ_, G2504) indicates that Paul's response of thanksgiving is a natural and personal echo of the doxology he has just offered.
* **"after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus":** Paul's thanksgiving is not based on mere assumption but on concrete reports he has received. The "hearing" (Greek _akoúō_, G191) signifies reliable information about their spiritual state. The core of this report is their "faith" (Greek _pístis_, G4102), which is specifically directed "in the Lord Jesus" (Greek _en tō Kyriō Iēsoú_, G1722, G2962, G2424). This highlights that their faith is not a vague spirituality but a definite, personal trust and reliance upon Jesus Christ as their supreme Master and Savior.
* **"and love unto all the saints":** This clause presents the second crucial component of the report that fuels Paul's gratitude. Their faith in Christ is not isolated but manifests outwardly in "love" (Greek _agápē_, G26). This love is directed "unto" (Greek _eis_, G1519, indicating direction or purpose) "all the saints" (Greek _pâs ho hágios_, G3956, G40). The inclusion of "all" underscores the comprehensive and impartial nature of their love, extending to every fellow believer, regardless of background or status, demonstrating the unifying power of the Holy Spirit within the church.

#### Literary Devices
Ephesians 1:15 effectively employs **Transition** as its primary literary device, serving as a pivotal bridge between the doctrinal exposition of verses 3-14 and the subsequent prayer in verses 16-23. The phrase "Wherefore I also" explicitly signals this shift, connecting Paul's personal response to the preceding theological truths. The verse also utilizes **Juxtaposition** by presenting "faith in the Lord Jesus" and "love unto all the saints" as twin, indispensable virtues. This pairing emphasizes that genuine Christian life is characterized by both a vertical relationship with God (faith) and a horizontal relationship with fellow believers (love). Furthermore, the verse embodies **Apostolic Thanksgiving**, a common Pauline literary convention where the apostle expresses gratitude for the spiritual state of his recipients, thereby affirming their spiritual growth and setting a positive tone for the exhortations and teachings that follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 1:15 powerfully encapsulates the essence of authentic Christian living: a vibrant, personal faith in Jesus Christ that inevitably overflows into tangible, unconditional love for the community of believers. This inseparable link between vertical faith and horizontal love is a foundational theological principle throughout the New Testament, reflecting the two greatest commandments given by Christ Himself. Paul's thanksgiving for these qualities in the Ephesians underscores their vital importance as evidence of genuine spiritual life and maturity, demonstrating that the profound spiritual blessings of [Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3-14 "Spiritual Blessings in Christ") are indeed bearing fruit in the lives of the believers. This verse serves as a reminder that the church's strength and witness are rooted not just in doctrinal correctness, but in the practical outworking of these core virtues.

* [Matthew 22:37-39](/matthew/22-37-39 "The Greatest Commandments")
* [Galatians 5:6](/galatians/5-6 "Faith Working Through Love")
* [1 Thessalonians 1:3](/1_thessalonians/1-3 "Work of Faith, Labour of Love, Patience of Hope")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 1:15 offers a profound template for evaluating and cultivating our own spiritual lives and the health of our communities. Paul's gratitude is not for material success or worldly influence, but for the fundamental spiritual realities of faith and love. This challenges us to prioritize these virtues in our personal walk and in our corporate church life. Is our faith in the Lord Jesus a living, active trust that shapes our decisions and worldview, or merely a nominal affiliation? Does that faith naturally translate into a selfless, comprehensive love for "all the saints"—not just those we find agreeable, but the entire body of Christ, with all its diversity and imperfections? Paul's example also calls us to cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving for the spiritual growth we observe in others, fostering encouragement and unity within the church. When we hear reports of genuine faith and love, whether in our local congregation or globally, it should prompt us to give thanks and to pray for even deeper spiritual understanding, just as Paul did.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my daily life demonstrate my "faith in the Lord Jesus" beyond mere intellectual assent?**
* **In what practical ways do I show "love unto all the saints," especially those who are different from me or challenging to love?**
* **When was the last time I genuinely gave thanks for the faith and love I observed in another believer or a church community?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a more active faith and a more expansive love in my own life and within my church?**

### FAQ
**Why does Paul give thanks for their faith and love, rather than other qualities?**

Answer: Paul's thanksgiving for the Ephesians' "faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints" is highly significant because these two qualities represent the foundational and most vital expressions of genuine Christian life. Faith in Christ is the indispensable means by which one enters into a relationship with God and receives all the spiritual blessings detailed in [Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3-14 "Spiritual Blessings in Christ"). Love for fellow believers, on the other hand, is the primary evidence and fruit of that faith, demonstrating its transforming power and fulfilling Christ's new commandment (as seen in [John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "Jesus' New Commandment to Love")). These are not merely good moral virtues, but the essential marks of true discipleship and the Spirit's work within a community.

**What does "all the saints" mean in this context? Does it refer only to specific, highly devout individuals?**

Answer: In the New Testament, particularly in Paul's letters, the term "saints" (Greek _hagioi_) refers to all believers in Christ, not an elite group or those who have achieved a certain level of spiritual perfection. It signifies that they are "set apart" or "consecrated" by God through their union with Jesus Christ. Therefore, "love unto all the saints" means that the Ephesian believers demonstrated a comprehensive and impartial love that extended to every member of the Christian community, regardless of their background, social status, or personal preferences. This inclusive love is a powerful testament to the unity created by the Holy Spirit within the body of Christ (as discussed in [Ephesians 4:1-3](/ephesians/4-1-3 "Unity in the Body of Christ")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 1:15, though focusing on the believers' response, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself, who is the perfect embodiment and source of both faith and love. Our "faith in the Lord Jesus" is not merely a human act but a response to God's gracious initiative in Christ, who is the "author and finisher of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")). He is the object of our faith, the one in whom all God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Furthermore, the "love unto all the saints" that Paul commends in the Ephesians is a direct reflection of Christ's own sacrificial love for His church. He "loved the church and gave himself up for her" ([Ephesians 5:25](/ephesians/5-25 "Christ's Love for the Church")), setting the supreme example of _agapē_ love. Thus, the faith and love observed in the Ephesian believers are not merely human virtues, but the Spirit-empowered fruit of their union with Christ, demonstrating His transforming power and continuing work within His body, the church, as He builds it up in love ([Ephesians 4:15-16](/ephesians/4-15-16 "Growing Up in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philemon 1:5

Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

Colossians 1:3

¶ We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

Colossians 1:4

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love [which ye have] to all the saints,

2 Thessalonians 1:3

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

Hebrews 6:10

For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

1 John 4:21

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

1 Thessalonians 1:3

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;