The epistle reading for this week gives us one of the longest continuous sentences found in ancient Greek literature. Ephesians 1:3-14 is only one complete sentence in its original Greek, although nearly all translations now break it down into several shorter sentences to make it an easier read. Some scholars suggest that this lengthy unit should be seen as a doxological hymn that may even have been a liturgical prayer. They recognize an identifiably Trinitarian focus in this text the work of the Father (vv.3-6), the work of the Son (vv.7-12), and the work of the Holy Spirit (vv.13-14).

The glorious language and almost run-on nature of the thoughts perhaps reflect the spiritual joy and excitement the writer feels at relating what he has discovered "in the heavenly places" (v.3). These "hea…