Devine Scripture

Ephesians 1:16

What does Ephesians 1:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 1:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 1:16 means

Paul says he does not stop giving thanks and remembers the Ephesians in his prayers. Gratitude and intercession go hand in hand; he thanks God for evidences of grace and asks for more grace to deepen and sustain them. The phrase “making mention of you” suggests personal care—he bears their names before God. This is not flattery but faithful shepherding, seeking God to supply what teaching alone cannot give. Persistent prayer acknowledges dependence on God for growth and understanding, preparing the way for the specific requests about to be named for their spiritual insight and strength.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Give praise without end for you, keeping you in mind in my prayers;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Cease not to give thanks for you, making commemoration of you in my prayers,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention [of you] at my prayers,

Context

Verse 16 bridges Paul’s thanksgiving (verse 15) and the petitions that follow (verses 17–19). It shows his unceasing pattern—gratitude leading to intercession. The next verse will state his central request: that God grant a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. The structure is intentional: praise for God’s work, thanks for the church’s faith and love, continual prayer for deeper understanding of the blessings in Christ, climaxing with the demonstration of God’s power in Christ’s resurrection and exaltation (verses 20–23).

v.15For 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,

v.16This passage

v.17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 40:14

    But have me in thy remembrance when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:

  • Colossians 1:9

    For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

  • Romans 1:8

    First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.

  • Isaiah 62:6

    I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that are Jehovah’s remembrancers, take ye no rest,

  • 1 Samuel 12:23

    Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Jehovah in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17

    pray without ceasing;

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