In typical Paul-fashion, he includes a thanksgiving prayer near the beginning of this letter that relates to the recipient church's spiritual maturity and understanding.  Paul thanks God for their faith and love (1:15-16).  This demonstrates his own spiritual understanding, that they have every spiritual blessing in Christ.  Then, Paul proceeds to pray that they would mature in their understanding, in order that they might grow in hope (1:17-18) and comfort (1:19-23).  An inheritance awaits them, so they should confidently-long for the future.  And, while they wait, they can rest in the fact that they have a great King in heaven, one who rules over every power that opposes them.  As we learn God's word, meditate upon its teaching, pray, and sing, may God, through the Holy Spirit, impart to all of us this maturity.