Throughout chapter 1 Paul has been building the point that the church is full of:

·      A bunch of unqualified people are brought into God’s family

·      Given a new identity and more responsibility than they deserve

·      Filled to overflowing with God’s gifts and His Spirit

·      Who still can’t grasp why God planned to choose us

So he  prays that we would be enlightened by the Holy Spirit  to grasp:

·      God’s hope in calling us

·      His value in choosing us, and 

·      His power at work in us
Paul pulls all of this together in this episode by illustrating what God’s plan combined with His power can accomplish- in His Son and in His Church.