It seems strange for Paul to say "ever since I heard about ..", for he had spent a significant amount of time in Ephesus. However, as it is likely that the letter was intended for wider circulation it may be that Paul is referring to news about the church in the regional area.
"For this reason .." In the previous section (previous sentence in the original Greek!) Paul has been extolling the wonders of God's grace, His plans, and His blessings on believers. So when people believe in the gospel they enter in to all these blessings, therefore Paul gives thanks. The best thing that can happen to an individual is to believe in Christ, the best thing that can happen to a people group is that they start to believe in Christ. The world is increasingly opposed to converting people from one religion to another (proselytising), indeed in some countries it is illegal (eg Greece). At other times is said to be showing lack of respect for people's cultural background. All this is nonsense. For absolutely every individual, and absolutely every people group (not least the atheistic/agnostic/materialistic West) the best thing that can happen is to enter into the promises of God revealed and fulfilled in Christ Jesus.
Note that the blessings are not primarily things that we receive as individuals (though God does answer prayers and does give us many good material things). The primary blessing is that we have become God's children, we are part of His household, we are part of His plan. The blessing is what we are now, and what we will become in Christ.
"For this reason .." In the previous section (previous sentence in the original Greek!) Paul has been extolling the wonders of God's grace, His plans, and His blessings on believers. So when people believe in the gospel they enter in to all these blessings, therefore Paul gives thanks. The best thing that can happen to an individual is to believe in Christ, the best thing that can happen to a people group is that they start to believe in Christ. The world is increasingly opposed to converting people from one religion to another (proselytising), indeed in some countries it is illegal (eg Greece). At other times is said to be showing lack of respect for people's cultural background. All this is nonsense. For absolutely every individual, and absolutely every people group (not least the atheistic/agnostic/materialistic West) the best thing that can happen is to enter into the promises of God revealed and fulfilled in Christ Jesus.
Note that the blessings are not primarily things that we receive as individuals (though God does answer prayers and does give us many good material things). The primary blessing is that we have become God's children, we are part of His household, we are part of His plan. The blessing is what we are now, and what we will become in Christ.
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