The conduct (works) doesn't save us but does demonstrate the belief to be genuine. The Greek tense is aorist imperative which speaks in context of a request in the form of a command and speaks of urgency and need) my eyes, that I may behold (careful, sustained, and favorable contemplation - LXX translates with katanoeo from kata = down + noeo is literally to the the mind down on and speaks of giving very careful consideration to some matter, think about very carefully, consider closely. 3:20). When He placed his cross against the wall, and scaled our ramparts, planting on our strongholds the blood-red flag of his omnipotent mercy? The person who has received Christ is a new creation. 29:1113). Conversely, revival cannot come if we are far removed from God. Ischus is used of the ability of human beings in Mark AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' This hope is of the perfection of all, which we are called to enjoy really, but imperfectly, here. (Believer's Bible Commentary). Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. God is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us (Eph. Hell help us, all Heaven will break loose." The definite article in Greek ("the") precedes pisteuo, which means these are literally "the" believing ones (i.e., they are genuine believers). For there is a difference between ability (dunamin) and strength (ischuo). WithoutGodspower, these things would not be possible (seeLuke 18:2627). How did God respond to Pauls prayer to remove his thorn in the flesh? Ephesians chapter 6:10-6:18. It is a powerful work, past, present, and future: Gods power was evident in their conversion, Gods power is evident in their endurance, and Gods power will be evident in their resurrection. Its broad acres have been made over to thee by deed of gift. He will win for Himself a great name, as He turns thy desert places into gardens, and makes thy wildernesses blossom as the rose. 5:2; 12:21, 25, 28, 30; 16:27f; 29:11f; 2 Chr. That men might know the measure of Gods power. 5:13): shall not be able (Lk13:24): I can do all things (Phil4:13): availeth much (Jas. The idea is to cause something to be fully known by revealing clearly and in some detail. He speaks of the 'love of Christ which passeth knowledge,' and of God being 'able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.' In other words Paul is saying God's resurrection power is of such a magnitude and quality that it exceeds all standards of physical magnitude! (Risen: 50 Reasons Why the Resurrection Changed Everything), The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:12). 4:18), being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart. In other words, sin blinds the minds of unbelievers and renders them incapable of understanding the truth of the gospel, unless God opens their blind eyes (2 Cor. Only when we come to understand how our lives are anchored in eternity (Heb 6:18-19+) can we have the right perspective and motivation for living in time (1Jn 3:2-3+). 1 Peter 2:9+ But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR Gods OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 2 Kings 6:17 Then Elisha prayed and said, O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see. And the LORD opened the servants eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. 8:3839)! I dont blame you for feeling that way. (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith), Charles Stanley -LIFTING OUR LEVEL OF PRAYER, SCRIPTURE READING: EPHESIANS 1:1823 KEY VERSE: EPHESIANS 1:18. She begins to pray for direction. dunamis) refers to a spiritually dynamic living force. In the New Testament it's a special invitation from God to man to accept the priceless benefits of His salvation. Paul applies this truth that we are God's inheritance in his letter to the Corinthians writing Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. In the NT the idea of chance attaching to the lot is eliminated for all believers we inherit all spiritual blessings in Christ. After addressing the role and example of Gods power inEphesians 1:114, Paul then informs the Ephesians that he gives thanks for them and their faith (verses 1516). 7:7; Ezek. A little spark of accomplishment The occasion of it was the foresight the apostle had of false teachers that would spring up in this church, after his death, and spread their pernicious doctrines, and draw away disciples after them, and do great mischief in the church; wherefore the design of this epistle is to establish the saints in the doctrines of the Gospel, that so they might not be carried away with the errors of the wicked: the subject matter of it is most excellent; it treats of the most sublime doctrines of grace, of divine predestination, and eternal election, of redemption by Christ, and of peace and pardon by his blood, of conversion by the power of efficacious grace, and of salvation by the free grace of God, in opposition to works: it also very largely treats of the nature and usefulness of the Gospel ministry, and of gifts qualifying for it, and of the several duties of religion incumbent on Christians; and the method which is used is exceeding apt and beautiful, for the apostle first begins with the doctrines of the Gospel, which he distinctly handles and explains, and then proceeds to enforce the duties belonging to men, both as men and Christians. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Septuagint Usage -Grundmann (ischu, Kittel, 3:397, note 3) asserts that ischus is the most common word for power in the LXX. It substitutes for 30 Hebrew expressions in the Septuagint where it regularly translates such terms as kach (strength, power, ability), chayil (capacity, power), and az (strength). Ischus - 10 times in the NT translated: might, 5; power, 1; strength, 4. When He was raised from the grave, we were raised from the grave. Rom. Once on the mission field, he is willing to suffer hardships and separation from family and friends because the call of God is his greatest motivation. Youll not be happy until you know the hope of His calling. Freedom, You have given us freedom They dont know the reality of heaven. The new has come, Now I have resurrection power living on the inside Cold, with the coldness of death. For Further Study: Read Genesis 2733, noting how God used the events of Jacobs life to transform his weak spiritual commitment to one that was strong and unconditional (see especially Gen. 28:2022; 32:912). When her teacher finally did let her discover for herself that she would one day be Queen of England, Victorias response was, Then I will be good! Her life would be controlled by her position. 22:5. First, he raised Christ from the dead (v.20). From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. Hoehner adds this description on elpis -In Greek thought hope consists merely of a consoling dream of the imagination designed to forget the present troubles but yet leaving one with many uncertainties. The prophet Jeremiah proclaims that knowledge of God is more valuable than anything else. In His devotional on Dt 32:9 Spurgeon asks "How are they his? 1:6; Rev. Col 1:28) also I labor, striving according to His power (dunamis), which mightily works (energeo- present tense - continually works) within me. The possibilities of human nature are manifest there. It refers to the inherent strength which displays itself in the rule over others. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened- Physical eyes (or ears) cannot see (hear) these deeper truths. Literally this verse reads, The eyes of your heart being enlightened. We think of the heart as the emotional part of man, but in the Bible, the heart means the inner man, and includes the emotions, the mind, and the will. Jesus was not teaching us that a little faith could accomplish great things. Rather, it is constantly to be praying as you study the Word, Lord, enlighten the eyes of my heart so that I may know, love, and obey You better!. He gives them to us by the handfuls. All of this is for Gods glory (Ephesians 1:6,12,14). Together we can help each other achieve great things for Him. The heart the seat of the mind and will, and the heart could be taught what the brain could never know (or sadly the converse to know something intellectually but not in one's heart!) 12:29): a mighty famine (Lk15:14): his letters are powerful (2 Cor. As you face this new day, do so with the confidence that you are one of Gods elect. From a shorter form of kaleo; an invitation. This seems to be a confirmation, but she continues to ask the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5). For Further Study: Joshuas call to lead Israel was not a call to salvation, but it illustrates some important principles for spiritual leadership. The power mentioned inEphesians 1:1920is continually attributed to God, not us. Lord, help me to influence prayer time at my church so that it is a healthy representation of the full Christian life, from supplication to praise. The Word of God is scarcely preached while rock music and religious performers entertain worldly pagans. (THE MEASURE OF IMMEASURABLE POWER). In the four Gospels, we see Gods power at work in the ministry of Jesus Christ, but in the Book of Acts, we see that same power at work in ordinary men and women, members of the body of Christ. (Ibid), Life Application Study Bible- The world still marvels at the power of the atom, yet we belong to the God Who created atoms and the entire universe. In a figurative sense, kleronomia refers to God's promised salvation, gifts, and benefits as our inheritance (which is the use in Eph 5:5-note) and eternal possession for every believer. In the Old Testament, thats what Israel was called; she was called The Lords Portion, the Lords inheritance. I think the needle is broken, I told him. Also the verb ischuooIt is good for nothing (Mt. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition The Lockman Foundation, Related Topics: Spiritual Life, Character of God, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. Eph 3:20+ Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us (speaking of the power of the Spirit that continually energizes us - see Php 2:13+, cp the prayer in Eph 3:16+!). It was everlasting power. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Jon Courson - Throughout Scripture, the word hope always refers to that which is coming, to that which is ahead. Wiersbe - In the prison prayers of Paul (Eph. 2:20). This is what the Lord says: Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the Lord. Because of this event, the believer can have assurance that the same powerthe immeasurable power of Godis working on his behalf today and will continue to provide what he needs until he arrives in heaven. The analogy that we have quoted, however, fails us utterly in its final working out. Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Others are called to be pastors, teachers, worship leaders, Bible translators, or to a host of other avenues that honor the Lord. The principle is that we should pray for the promises of God to be realized in our hearts (cf 2Pe 1:4) Only the Spirit can reveal spiritual truth. Hoeher comments that "Having mentioned the surpassing greatness of Gods power, Paul is now going to show that it is literally according to the power of the power of his power. Paul lists a series of three words for power used to describe the standard of the surpassing greatness of Gods power." A day is as a thousand years. Calmen had expected her former teacher to say, "I knew you could do that.". And many a life that might grow rich in its heritage of God is dwindled and marred, because it sets a limitation on God's heritage of itself. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. As we experience God's power in our own lives, we can encourage others. We must live as saints, Gods holy ones, separate from this evil world. 5:11; Jude 1:25; Rev. (Dt 32:9+). Christ has already won the victory over sin, death, the world, and Satan. The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts as He sees fit and then calls us into a field of service that utilizes those gifts (1 Corinthians 12:111). For we saw (eido) His star in the east, and have come to worship Him." What promises did God make to him (vv. Therefore, whereas the hope that was produced by his calling looked back to the past, his inheritance in the saints will be fully realized in Christs coming to get his saints." It tells us all we need to know to walk with God and live wisely in light of eternity. So we, being raised from the dead, go not back to our dead works nor to our old corruptions, but we live unto God. The salutation is in Eph 1:2, which is common to all his epistles: and in Eph 1:3, is the thanksgiving to God, as the God and Father of Christ, for spiritual blessings in Christ in general; and then he proceeds to particulars, and begins with election, which is represented as an act of God the Father, as of particular persons, as done in Christ, and from the foundation of the world, the end of which is perfect holiness and love, Eph 1:4, and which is further illustrated under the name of predestination; the blessing which that is an appointment to, is the adoption of children; the moving cause of it, is the good pleasure of the divine will; the instrumental cause, or means, is Christ Jesus; the end with God is for himself, Eph 1:5, and which, in the next verse, is explained of the glory of his grace; to which grace, acceptance with him in Christ is owing; and which is another spiritual blessing, or a branch of election and predestination, Eph 1:6. As soon as thou didst open thine eyes to behold the crucified Lord, thou didst all unconsciously become heir to the lengths and breadths, and depths, and heights of God! In short, Paul prays for our position in Christ to become our practice in Christ. Only when we know who we really are can we live like who we are. Paul previously prays that the Ephesians would understand the hope, or certainty, of their calling and future inheritance (Ephesians 1:18). (Twenty-First Century Biblical Commentary), MacDonald - We have seen that the source of spiritual illumination is God; the channel is the Holy Spirit; and the supreme subject is the full knowledge of God. It is a mystery that God should find his inheritance and portion in the love of men and women like ourselves. Thus we are His portion or inheritance which He will finally and ultimately possess throughout eternity. This power is active, dynamic, and compellingand it is mightily at work on your behalf. This was true for the Ephesians, and it is true for us today. That they might not be cast down by a view of their own unworthiness, he exhorts them to consider the power of God; as if he had said, that their regeneration was no ordinary work of God, but was an astonishing exhibition of his power. In, on, among. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular. Are you praying the promises of God for yourself and your family and the body of Christ? 1:10; Heb. It grows even taller when he prays that we would know the glory of Gods inheritance in the saints. Kleronomia is literally what is received as a gift from someone who has died, but figuratively as in this verse it refers in a religious sense to God's promised salvation, gifts, and benefits. Ephesians 4:1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. She asks her Bible study group to pray with her about the matter. The eyes of the heart must be opened by the Spirit of God. 2 John View (1) is probably the more valid interpretation although both views are taught in Scripture and the Greek text does allow for both interpretations. Well, look, its the power that he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead. With his natural mind, man cannot understand the things of God. All who receive it respond in faith. 10:16; 51:19; etc.). Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The invitation goes out to everyone: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. But many ignore the invitation or make up excuses for why they cannot respond. Finding Christ is like emerging from the cave into the light. Why would he be praying for this "Aha" enlightenment? Further, perfectadverbial participles are usually causal in NT Greek. Figuratively, as used in this verse, photizo means to make clear, to cause to fully know or to cause to understand and is used of God's enlightenment through revelation. But what a high and lofty ideal the apostle sets forth. And so the ESV Study Bible comments that "The inheritance here is not the Christians inheritance but his (Gods). 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. It means to attain a degree that extraordinarily exceeds a point on a scale of extent. Although the participle follows the hinaof Eph 1:17, it is awkward grammatically in the clause. -- Ears from Harvested Sheaves. Is it not in the resurrection of those who were dead in trespasses and sins from their spiritual stupor and separation from God, releasing them from the shackles of sin and subservience to Satan and setting them free in Christ? Now the eyes of the believers heart must be continually taken up with his Lord in order that his knowledge of spiritual truth might increase. 7:35; 2 Ki. 25:15): virtue (Mk 5:30): power (Lk24:29; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. No matter where she was, Victoria was governed by the fact that she sat on the throne of England. Even so, we will reign with Christ! Consequently, they constantly strive for material things and are continually caught up in carnal pursuits. Ephesians 1 1-2 I, Paul, am under God's plan as an apostle, a special agent of Christ Jesus, writing to you faithful believers in Ephesus. Practice these truths enabled by the Holy Spirit. In his prayer for the Ephesians, Paul asked God to enlighten their eyes so they could better understand the message encoded in His Word. All the soldiers and the high priests could not keep the body of Christ in the tomb; Death himself could not hold Jesus in his bonds: even thus irresistible is the power put forth in the believer when he is raised to newness of life. There are seminary professors who can exegete the Greek text here, but these glorious truths do not thrill their hearts. And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe - Supernatural power for believers to enable them to live in triumph. 1:51; Acts 19:20; Eph. Ischus therefore conveys the sense of endowed power or ability. It is utterly impossible to put the fullness of divine reality in human language, to compress the infinite into what is finite. Why? Paul describes people who do not know Christ (Eph. Thats why Paul prayed that God Himself would enlighten the hearts of the Ephesian believers (Eph. ", Luke 10:27+ And he answered and said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. It is from from which we get theocracy, the rule of God; autocracy, absolute rule; democracy, the rule of the people; and plutocracy, the rule of the wealthy. Later in the letter (chaps. For years, Ive been hearing Jesus could come at any time. Thats why Jesus said no one can snatch you out of the Fathers hand (John 10:29). Jeremiah In Ephesians 1:19 Paul focuses on one key feature of Gods power: His ability to secure the salvation of His people. Resurrection Power. It is only as God's Spirit illuminates our mind that we actually can truly know the spiritual truth He wants us to know. Note however that Paul did not pray for power to be given to believers. He is able! Revelation 5:12 (note) saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. Its in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home freesigned, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. But I do more than thank. We want to get out of the trial, solve the problem, move on. 2:14; 1 Pet. All of which is a parable. Ive been talking to You. We have His "seal" on us, and more accurately within us in the presence of His Holy Spirit. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Wuest renders it "and what is the superabounding greatness of His inherent power to us who are believing ones as measured by the operative energy of the manifested strength of His might." synkleronomos is a fellow heir, and kleronomeo means be an heir, inherit. As an introduction to mentioning the many afflictions he had endured for the Lord, Paul commented, But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves (2 Cor. All rights reserved), The treasures of earth are not mine, Since land was divided by lot, probably in the framework of common use of the fields, kleros came to mean a share, land received by lot, plot of land, and finally inheritance. Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural. With His unlimited power, He also raised Jesus Christ from the dead. It shows that the believers are valuable to God because he purchased them in order to inherit them. Why? Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! Nothing can separate you from His love (Rom. No. Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Lehman Strauss Commentary Devotional Studies on Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians- online). Although Paul wrote his letter in Greek, he was steeped in the Hebrew Biblethat is, the Old Testament. And he did so with great expectations. Key in on verse 16 this morning- "in addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.". As He bought, so let Him possess, everything. Year after year the process is repeated, until, perhaps when twenty years have come and gone, the fences are needed no longer, because the extent of occupation is commensurate with the extent of the original purchase. Spiritual enlightenment doesnt come through self-effort or introspective meditation but through Gods Holy Spirit. 4:18 = hardness of heart; Eph. None of us has to live a defeated life. He has just prayed that God would give to them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I may have a call to go to the mission field in Africa. In Ephesians 1:3-14 Paul had just summed up what their calling involved. (2) The other view is that the inheritance means all that we will inherit in Christ. But they unravelled the mystery by telling me that they put in, in enriching manure, all that they took out in the days of golden harvest. A blessing found at Qumran reads, May He illuminate your heart with the discernment of life and grace you with eternal knowledge (1QS 2:3; cf. John Piper - Resurrection Power Now - So my message for believers in Jesus is this: The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and what became of him after his resurrection, shows the greatness of Gods power toward us now in this life. Click for additional discussion on some of the aspects of the hope of this calling. We may not be able to conquer Satan all at once, but he cannot conquer us at all. "Because he lives we live also." Strengthened with might in the inner man (Eph3:16): with all might (Col. 1:11). The perfect tense speaks of an enlightenment that has occurred at a point in time and which persists. In referring to those who believe Paul goes beyond the initial act of faith in God for salvation and speaks of a continuing and growing faith. The verb form, , makes the power obvious, for it means primarily to grasp, seize, or capture (Matt 9:25 = Mark 5:41; Matt 14:3 = Mark 6:17; Matt 26:48, 50, 55 = Mark 14:44, 46, 49; Rev 20:2). In my opinion, you cant separate the two, because when your eyes are enlightened to know objectively all that God has promised to give you in Christ, it fills you with hope subjectively in your heart. . 8:29;I John 3:1-2). The text is clear! Paul writes to the believers at Rome asking "Or do you not know (eido) what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?" Why is it important to know what is the hope of His calling? Ye may know what is the hope of his calling. Note: This discussion of kleronomia is the same explanatory note that is found in Ephesians 1:14-note (if you have already read that one). The practical application of this is that your salvation does not rest on your choosing Christ, but rather on His choosing you. There must be no reserve put on any part of our being. (Pathways to His Presence), Craig Blomberg - To Let Us Experience Gods Mighty Power, I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. For example, a young nursery worker may read about babies languishing in Romanian orphanages. Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. The new has come, Now I have resurrection power living on the inside Click for multiple Scriptures dealing with the other view (#2) that the inheritance refers to what believers will inherit one day by virtue of their position in Christ.
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