To the Reader
In this excellent prayer we are to mark two things: the first, to whom it is made: the second, is the matter.
For the first, it is made to God the father, who is described by two titles. The first, The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, namely as Christ is man: for as Christ is God, he is equal with the father. The second, The father of glory, that is, a glorious father, and he is so called to distinguish him from earthly fathers.
The matter of the prayer stands on two principal points. First, he asks of God, the spirit of wisdom, whereby the servants of God are enabled to discern out of the word, in every business which they take in hand, whether it be in word or deed, what ought to be done, and what ought to be left undone: as also the circumstances, the time, place, manner of doing anything.
Secondly, he prays for the spirit of revelation, whereby the faithful have their whole estate before God, revealed to them according to the word: the thing itself being otherwise secret and hidden (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 12). Further the work of this spirit in the godly is twofold, the one concerns God himself, the other the things of God.
The work of the spirit of revelation which respects God himself is, an acknowledgment of the father, or of Christ. Now to acknowledge God the father, is not only to know, and confess that he is a father of the faithful: but also to be resolved in conscience that he is a father to me in particular. Secondly, that Christ is not only in general a Savior of the elect, but that he is in special my Savior and redeemer.
The second work of this spirit, is an illumination of the eyes of the mind to see and know the things of God which he has prepared for them that do believe: and they are two. The first is life eternal, which is described by five arguments. 1. It is the Ephesian hope, that is, the thing hoped for in this life. 2. It is the hope of the calling of God: because in preaching of the Gospel it is offered, and men are called to wait for the same. 3. An inheritance, properly to Christ, because he is the natural son of God: and by him to all that shall believe. 4. The excellency, because it is a rich and glorious inheritance. 5. Lastly, it is made proper to the saints.
The second thing is the greatness of the power of God, whereby sin is mortified, the corrupt nature renewed, and mightily strengthened in temptations. This power is set forth by two arguments. The first is the subject or persons in whom this power is made manifest. In them that believe. Because none can feel this, but they which apprehend Christ by faith. The second is the manner of manifesting this power in them, which is according to the working of his mighty power, which he showed in Christ. And that was in three things. First, in putting all his enemies under his feet, verse 2. Secondly, in raising him from death. Thirdly, in placing him at his right hand. Now therefore Paul prays that this wonderful power of God, which did show forth itself in the head Christ, might likewise show itself in the members of Christ. First, in treading Satan and sin under their feet (Romans 16:10). Secondly, in raising them from sin, as out of a grave to holiness of life. Thirdly, in advancing them in the time appointed to the kingdom of glory in heaven.
