This closes the introduction of the epistle, and the apostle pauses to pray for the saints. The prayer here is addressed to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ (“Father of glory,” because Author of it), and that in chap. iii., to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, corresponding with the twofold title in ver. 3. Paul had heard of their “faith” and their love— “love to all the saints” being the outcome of faith in our Lord. Narrowness of heart misses His mind, whatever the day may be, though love does not display itself in the same way toward all. In the companion epistle (Colossians) the Spirit commends the saints for the same precious fruit. There are three parts in this prayer. The apostle desired them to know the hope of His calling; the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints; and the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe. The “calling” we have seen in ver. 3-5; we are to be holy and blameless before Him in love, having sonship according to the good pleasure of His will. The “inheritance” we get in vers. 9-11; we are to share all things with Christ the Heir. Note, it is God's inheritance (as also His calling); but He inherits it in the saints. It is not at all meant that the saints form the inheritance, as some have thought, such a notion having no ground but refutation in the N. T. We see it often written of Israel. Yet also God reserved to Himself the land of Canaan; it was His land, but He inherited it in His people, while they were His inheritance.
The apostle wished the saints to grasp the vastness of all three—the calling, the inheritance, and the power that wrought in Christ in raising Him from among the dead, and placing Him at God's right hand in heavenly places, with all things under His feet. It is God's display of power, not in creation, however wonderful, but in raising from the dead His Son, Who went down into death (where we were) bearing our sins, and Who now is in righteousness at His own right hand above, as the accepted Man, the second Adam, Head of the new creation. The same power will presently place us in the same glory; and meanwhile it gives us to enter into the precious meaning of union with Him there, whereby we walk upon our high places. “He hath put all things under His feet” is a quotation from Psa. 8. It will be seen in its day; He is Head of the body of the church meanwhile. Wondrous thought! the church is His fullness. His mighty grace has so ordered all, that He (the Head) is not complete without His members—all those who have been joined to Him on high by the Holy Spirit.