The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Result of the gift of the Spirit.
Understanding. 'Aleph (') A B Delta G f g, Vulgate, read 'heart.' Compare the contrary state of the unbelieving, the heart being in fault (Ephesians 4:18; Matthew 13:15). Translate, 'Having the eyes of your heart enlightened' (Matthew 4:16; Ephesians 3:9, Greek; Ephesians 5:14): the first effect of the Spirit moving in the new creation, as in the physical creation (Genesis 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:6). Where spiritual light is, there is life (John 1:4). The heart is 'the core of life' (Harless), the fountain of the thoughts; whence, 'the heart' includes the mind, as well as the inclinations. Its "eye," or inward vision, both receives and contemplates the light (Matthew 6:22-23). The eye is the symbol of intelligence (Ezekiel 1:18).
The hope of his calling - the hope appertaining to, and worked in, you by the calling wherewith He has called you.
And ... (so C: omitted in 'Aleph (') A B Delta G f g, Vulgate) riches of the glory (Colossians 1:27). The accumulation marks unspeakable preciousness.
His inheritance in the saints - the inheritance which He has in store [estin being understood] in the case of ('among,' Ellicott, Acts 20:32; Acts 26:18) the saints ('the sphere in which it is found'). Perhaps 'the inheritance which He has in his saints.' (See note, Ephesians 1:11; Deuteronomy 32:9). This latter translation would be more certain if the article tees (G3588) had been before en (G1722) tois (G3588) hagiois (G40).