Note 4 at Eph. 1:17: Just a few verses earlier (v.8), Paul said God had already abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence and had made know unto us the mystery of his will. Now he is praying that we would receive the "spirit of wisdom and revelation." Isn't that contradictory? Not at all.

The word "spirit" is used in different ways in scripture. The dominant usage is to refer to either the Spirit of God or the spirit of man. In that context, it denotes the person of the Holy Spirit or identifies a part of our three-part being (1 Th. 5:23). But the word "spirit" can also describe a mental disposition (Strong). This is the same thing that we mean when we refer to "team spirit" or "school spirit." That is the way Paul is using "spirit" here and also in chapter 4, verse 23.

We already have wisdom and prudence in our born-again spirit. These things came as part of our "package deal" of salvation. But we have to draw these things out of our spirit and get them into our minds and bodies to receive any benefit in this life. Therefore, Paul is praying that what is already true in our spirit will become our "mental disposition." He's praying for a release into the physical of what is already present in our spiritual being.

Note 5 at Eph. 1:17: You cannot get a revelation of something that doesn't already exist. The Greek word that was translated "revelation" here is APOKALUPSIS which means "disclosure." It comes from a root word which means "to take off the cover." Paul isn't praying for the Lord to give us anything new. He is praying for us to receive a revelation of what is already ours (see note 6 at this verse, below).

Note 6 at Eph. 1:17: Notice that Paul doesn't pray that God will give them more and more things, but rather that they would get a revelation (see note 5 at this verse, above) of what has already been freely given to them in Christ.

The Christian life is not an attempt to get more faith, or more anointing, or to get closer to the Lord. We already have these things in their fullness (see note 16 at Rom. 12:3, p. 826). We just need a revelation of what is already ours.

Understanding this takes a lot of frustration and doubt away. It's much easier to release something you already have than to try and get something that you don't have. And why would anyone doubt that he would receive what he already has? Through Christ we are already blessed with all spiritual blessings (see note 2 at Eph. 1:3, p. 1095). All we have to do is appropriate what is already ours, through the renewing of our mind (see notes 6-9 at Rom. 12:2, pp. 825-826). That's exactly what Paul is praying for these Ephesians. Insert your name in this prayer and get ready to receive.