Oct 7, 2018
Ephesus was a Roman city that drew from the best human wisdom, being deeply influenced by Greek philosophy. Before the Ephesians heard the Gospel, they believed they saw reality clearly, but were actually spiritually blind. Once they became believers, the Holy Spirit took residence in their heart and gave them ‘eyes’ that were enlightened (Gr. phōtizō, ‘to shed rays’) to comprehend spiritual things (2 Cor. 1:22; 4:6). One of these was the hope that comes from knowing God (Rom. 15:13). The Ephesians had wealth, education, and technology, but at the end of it all had no hope in the present or for the future. Hope without God is no hope at all!