Ephesians 1:15

Wherefore I also. Because of the blessings described in vs. 1-14 the apostle now utters a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.

Heard. During his imprisonment Paul frequently received messages from, and concerning, the churches he had raised up, and he was both pleased and saddened at the things he heard. The faith of the Ephesians was a source of great encouragement to him.

Love unto all. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the omission of the word “love.” However, the word is needed to complete properly the thought of the sentence. Paul elsewhere joins together faith and love (1 Cor. 13:13; 1 Thess. 1:3; etc.), for these are what distinguish all true Christians. Love to the saints is a natural outcome of faith in Christ. It is impossible to love God without loving the saints (1 John 4:20), and, indeed, those who are not so saintly. The love Paul commends is comprehensive, including all the saints, even those whom it may be difficult to love because of their various habits and temperaments.