Devine Scripture

Ephesians 1:15

What does Ephesians 1:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 1:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 1:15 means

Because of these gospel realities, Paul responds to reports of the Ephesians’ “faith in the Lord Jesus” and their “love … toward all the saints” with gratitude. True faith shows itself in love for God’s people, and news of this fruit gladdens the apostle’s heart. Paul’s pastoral concern is relational: he rejoices not only in doctrines believed but in lives transformed. Their faith and love confirm that God’s described blessings are operative among them. Thanksgiving is the fitting response when God’s grace bears visible fruit in a church, and it becomes the springboard for further prayer on their behalf.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this cause I, having had news of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and which you make clear to all the saints,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Because of this I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and the love to all the saints,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Wherefore, I also, hearing of your faith that is in the Lord Jesus and of your love towards all the saints,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Wherefore I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which [is] in you, and the love which [ye have] towards all the saints,

Context

This verse transitions from doxology to prayer. Having celebrated what God has done (verses 3–14), Paul now speaks of what he has heard about the Ephesians and how he responds—constant gratitude. Verse 16 will continue with his unceasing prayers, and verses 17–19 will detail the content of his intercession: wisdom, revelation, enlightened hearts to know hope, riches, and power. The flow moves from God’s objective work to Paul’s pastoral desire that believers grasp and live out those truths.

v.14which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, unto the praise of his glory.

v.15This passage

v.16cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Colossians 1:3

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

  • Psalms 16:3

    As for the saints that are in the earth, They are the excellent in whom is all my delight.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:3

    remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;

  • 1 Peter 1:22

    Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:

  • 1 Timothy 1:14

    and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

  • Hebrews 6:10

    for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister.

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