The goal in each case

The fulness of Him that filleth all in all.

That ye might be filled up to all

the fulness of God.

Heavenly powers mentioned

Every name that is named.

Every family in heaven and earth

is named.

There is also an evident correspondence between the opening and closing

prayer.  In chapter 1, Paul prays for the believer, in chapter 6, he asks the

believer to pray for him.  In the opening prayer the burden is `that ye may

know', in the closing prayer `that I may make known'.  The prayers of Ephesians,

therefore, stand related thus:

A

Prayer for the acknowledgment.

`That ye may know'.

B  3:14-21.  Prayer for comprehension.

A

6:19,20.  Prayer for utterance.

The student with time to spare for the delightful and fruitful task, can,

with the start given by these few comparisons, continue the process and will

find many treasures of truth awaiting his prayerful investigation.  It is

evident from the fact that the apostle ceases to teach new doctrine, and turns

to prayer, that there is a warning and a lesson here.  At the first, we are

absolutely dependent upon the initial revelation that God makes, whether it be

the gospel of our salvation, or the revelation of the Mystery, but there comes a

moment when such teaching must be received, appropriated and acted upon.  If

this is not done, to continue teaching would treat us as though we were

automatons into whom at stated intervals so much truth should be poured.  But

even a motor car does not receive continual fillings of petrol unless the petrol

already received is used, how much less the mind of the believer endowed with

faculties of reason, and under the monitorship of an enlightened conscience and

the leading of the Spirit.  It is on this basis that the prayer proceeds.

`Wherefore' dia touto `because of this' or `on this account'.  Without

mechanically repeating the clauses of the teaching already given, we can see

upon examination that the prayer of the apostle has that teaching in mind.

The Will of the Father.

What is the hope of His calling?

The Work of the Son.

What is the riches of ... inheritance?

The Witness of the Spirit.

What is the ... power ... who believe?