+III. He prays for the future success of the Gospel+ (ver. 16).--The best Christians have need to make continual improvement. Paul was no less constant in his prayers than in his labours for the spiritual interest of mankind. He knew that the success of all his labours depended on God's blessing; he therefore added to them his fervent prayers. When ministers and people strive together in their prayers, there is reason to hope for God's blessing on both. +IV. He prayed for spiritual enlightenment+ (vers. 17, 18).--That they may seek wisdom from God to understand the revelation He has given, and such an illumination of mind as to discern the nature and excellence of the things contained in this revelation. Christians must not content themselves with their present knowledge but aspire to all riches of the full assurance of understanding. +V. He prayed for power to appreciate Christian privileges+ (ver. 18).--To know the hope of the Divine calling, the possibility and assurance of attaining the heavenly kingdom. To know what a rich and glorious inheritance God has prepared for and promised to the saints. Though we cannot comprehend its dimensions nor compute its value, yet when we consider the grace of the Being who conveys it, the riches of the price which bought it, and the Divine preparation by which the heirs are formed to enjoy it, we must conceive it to be unspeakably glorious.--_Lathrop._ _The Apprehension of Spiritual Blessings._ +I. Further spiritual blessings are to be apprehended by the saints, therefore their condition is a relative one.+--The Ephesians had already received spiritual blessings (vers. 11-15). How much more is here. The possessed bears some proportion to what is to be received. Without this relative view the estimate is vague and erroneous. The further gifts consist specially in the clearer sight and more certain and enlarged experience of what they already saw and possessed. "Him," "His calling," "His inheritance," "His mighty power"--these were to be theirs in a degree of exceeding greatness and glory. +II. Unless saints apprehend blessings now attainable, they live below their privilege.+--"If thou knewest the gift of God, thou wouldst have asked of Him" (1 John iv. 10). Without some knowledge there is neither faith nor desire. With these unveilings the heart is deeply moved with the sense of obligation to possess, it is attracted and filled with desire and animation. Otherwise, with an ignorant satisfaction, the condition must remain relatively lean and impoverished.