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Writers are taught to vary the length of their sentences. We are also cautioned about sentences that are very long because they are often difficult to understand. Keep things short, say the editors.

I’m sure that the Apostle Paul had never been given this advise. While Bible translators could shorten some of his sentences, the version I’m using doesn’t do that. My reading today is supposed to be Ephesians 1:17, but it is a phrase in the middle of a very long sentence that begins in verse 15 and ends at verse 21. As I read it, I can sense the enthusiasm of this man for his Savior and for the people who will read these words and learn from them.

Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

In 166 words, this man tells of the faith and love of the people at Ephesus, his attitude toward them, and how he prays for them. True to his passion for Jesus Christ, the rest of the sentence is about the wonderful riches of knowing and following Him.

Verse 17 is the phrase, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” This statement is a cardinal truth about Christianity. Christians know God because God reveals Himself and His truth to us. Otherwise, we are blind to spiritual realities.

My reading in Ears from Harvested Sheaves describes this truth in a way that is so familiar to me. What the author describes is what happened in my life. With some editing (this author didn’t have the same rules as today’s writers either), he makes these points:

Revelation means literally an uncovering or unveiling of a concealed or covered-up object. It is used sometimes in the sense of making known, or bringing to light what had before been hidden in darkness and obscurity. This revelation is either outward in the Word, or inward in the soul. The two strictly correspond to and are counterparts of each other. Immediately when, by the power of divine grace, a sinner turns to the Lord, the Spirit of revelation removes the veil off the Scriptures and off his heart. (This part describes me . . . ) The Word of God was once a sealed book. We read or heard it without one real ray of light to illuminate the dark page because of the thick veil of ignorance, unbelief, prejudice, self-righteousness and unrepentance over our heart. But the gracious Spirit of revelation took this double veil away. By giving us the light of life, He made the word of God a new book, and gave us a new heart. Ever since the day when the entrance of His word gave us light, God’s word has been a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. Yet the Spirit of revelation is chiefly given to lead us into a spiritual, experiential, and saving knowledge of Christ. Without this blessed Spirit of revelation Christ cannot be effectually or redemptively known. That is why when Peter made that noble confession of his faith in Christ as “the Son of the Living God,” Jesus said to him: “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah; for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”

For many years I read the Bible every day, but did not understand a word I read. Then the Spirit of the Lord illuminated it to me and my heart to it. The lights came on regarding His book and to this day, I am utterly astounded at His power to open blind eyes.

This revelation is needed by everyone, educated or not, old or young, rich or poor. Understanding spiritual things is not about intellect or human wisdom, nor is it earned or deserved. Instead, knowing Him and His Word is the work of a light-giving God in a sinner’s heart, and He does it because of His mercy and grace.