ephesians 1:18 the message ephesians 1:18 the message

Kleronomia is the portion or heritage which one receives by virtue of birth or by special gift from someone who has died (Lk 12:13). He implants Biblical truth into your thinking so that your responses become more and more like Christs. (Revelation 5:12+), Vincent - The radical idea of ischus, might, is that of indwelling strength, especially as embodied: might which inheres in physical powers organized and working under individual direction, as an army: which appears in the resistance of physical organisms, as the earth, against which one dashes himself in vain: which dwells in persons or things, and gives them influence or value: which resides in laws or punishments to make them irresistible. THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Languagecopyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. 19:25; 47:6; 63:17; Jer. (Lehman Strauss Commentary Devotional Studies on Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians- online), THOUGHT -May our great, grace filled Father grant each of us His grace to ponder this incredible truth so that it might motivate us, enabledby HisSpirit, to walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called in Christ. That ye may know.--The knowledge which St. Paul here desires for the Ephesians, in accordance with the whole tone of this Epistle, is a knowledge of heavenly things, only experienced in part upon earth--with an experience, however, sufficient to be an earnest of the hereafter. From hagos; sacred. 21:23; Rev. She contacts a Christian organization that operates orphanages in Europe and learns they have an opening for a worker. It is great power: nothing less would suffice. 8:30), And these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. That sequence is certain! In Ephesians 1:19 and Ephesians 6:10, ischus describes the strength of God bestowed upon believers. 3:20). The "bad" news is that it doesn't have anything to do with money. 6:4; Heb. Eph 1:21+ far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. You have given us freedom, hallelujah 1986. (1Pe 1:3-5-See notes 1 Peter 1:3; 1:4; 1:5), Comment: Our "living hope" guarantees our inheritance, our protection until the revelation of our the final aspect of our salvation - glorification - when Christ returns "in the last time", Hoehner explains the relation of hope and calling -The genitive that follows (, calling) could be a genitive of source, hope has its origin in his call or more likely a subjective genitive hope produced by his calling (cf. The gnawing tooth of decay cannot injure it. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that (purpose clause- ask "What purpose?") Hither the Apostle Paul first went after he had been at Corinth, though he then made but a short stay; when he came thither again, he found twelve disciples, and was the instrument of making a great many more: here he continued two or three years and formed a Gospel church, very large and flourishing, to whom he writes this epistle; and which was written by him when he was a prisoner at Rome, as appears by several passages in it, \Eph 3:1 4:1 6:20\, and seems to have been written much about the same time as were the epistles to the Philippians, and to the Colossians, and to Philemon. Jesus said thats the way the Kingdom is. (Nelson's Annual Preacher's Sourcebook, 2002 Edition), Robert Gundry -The heart was considered an organ of knowing as well as of feeling. In that case, it was used of the believers inheritance which is their share in heaven. And not just for the time being, but. And then look at our Lord now at the right hand of the Father on high. F B Meyer (takes view #1) here sees Paul as referring to believers as God's inheritance! 12)? 2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power. Usually ischus denotes power, might, strength, ability. Ancient understanding is often linked to other kinds of power or authority (e.g., dunamis, exousia; cf. The Church as Christ's Body and the Christian as a member of that Body are the manifestation of God's glory on earth to-day, feeble and inadequate as it is. (If not it should be - see Jesus' command in Mt 5:16-note! get to know the Bible better! 3:20). When we are faithful to the call to obedience, He can call us to more specific areas (seeLuke 16:10).GotQuestions.org. Salem Media Group. God miraculously did them both simply by speaking the Word of Truth as Hebrews 11:3+ testifies. Dunamis - 119x in 115v - Here are Paul's uses of dunamis in Ephesians Eph 1:19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. Let every reader mark this, that supposing two men obtained a grant of an equal number of acres, if other things were equal, their wealth would be in exact proportion to the amount of use which each had made of his special acres. Even the ancients considered the heart to be the very center of a person -- the center of knowledge, understanding, thinking, wisdom. (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament), Glenn Spencer on believe - This is a condition for the victorious life. His death had our name on it. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. I feel now that I want to serve God, if He can use me, instead of making the goal of my life the making of money. 79)? In that verse protected means to keep or guard and reflects Peters confidence that salvation is inviolable. I have total trust in You. Sometimes familiarly with the glorious superlatives of our heavenly calling, and the eternal hope of glory that is set before us, causes our eyes to become dimmed and our hearts to become complacent. I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness John MacArthur - RECEIVING SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened (Eph. The Christian needs supernatural power, and God would have us see how great is His power to accomplish His purposes in us. Thus to believe is to obey and to stake one's life on the truth of the gospel manifesting a lifestyle in accordance with that truth. Nevertheless, the distinctions in these words is somewhat difficult to appreciate and convey in the form of a simple definition. You called me out of all my shame 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. This is the curse of Christian living. (Matthew 13:31-32) He used the mustard seed to teach His disciples an important lesson about faith and victory. ", Colossians 1:29 records Paul's testimony: "I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.". On the other hand, in the OT the hope of the righteous is directed toward the eternal God who will protect and ultimately deliver if not now, certainly in the future. So what does he do? The ultimate hope for Christians is to be with their Lord (Rom 5:45; 8:20, 2425; 12:12; 15:13; Gal 5:5; Col 1:5; Titus 1:2) and they eagerly wait for his coming, unlike the heathen who have no hope (Eph 2:12; 1 Thess 4:1318; 5:8; Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:3). There is nothing more to seek, nothing more to be given or received. Odes Sol. Paul asks that the blessing imparted by God the Father ( Eph 1:3 ) to the Ephesians will be strengthened in them through the message of the gospel ( Eph 1:13 , 17 - 19 ). As priests, these sons certainly understood the facts about God, but they did not have a relationship with him. I pray that you may know what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (Eph. Paul Rader, former wrestler and boxer, became one of the most powerful evangelists of the early 20th century. He said that we never form adequate conceptions of the treasure of the gospel, or if we do, we cant persuade ourselves that these things pertain to us, because they are so far from what we experience. And so inspired by the Spirit, Paul emphasizes that God has even more blessings to bestow on His children, the blessing of "resurrection power" so that saved sinners so that we might be enabled to live a supernatural life! In later Christianity this enlightening was equated with baptism (cf. Energeia isused only of supernatural power in the NT. to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called". 31:5; Ezek. The man was powerfully built, and Fuller visualized how he must have looked in the ring. Nick should look at his evil father and sister. The good news is that God's Word does promise riches to the believer. Referring to himself as a believer, Paul wrote: "I am [have been] crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). If youre not happy at this moment, neither will you be with a change of location, salary, or ministry. Or if you are so afraid of robbers that you cannot really enjoy it? These three words describe it as energetic, inherent in God, and able to overcome resistance respectively. The literal rendering is "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened." 2:14+). I askask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of gloryto make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust himendless energy, boundless strength! Incorruptible! Acts 26:18+ to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.. The power of God that was wrought, by God in Christ works in me. Amen, Paxson -How seldom we think of what we are to God! It comes only through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. But heaven seems so far away, you say. Perhaps he perceived a power shortage in the Ephesians saints! But a treasure far greater is mine; He said that godly people who are engaged in daily struggles with inward corruption realize that it requires nothing less than the surpassing greatness of Gods power to save us. Paul presents a fourfold demonstration of the very same power which God makes available to believers - God raised Him from the dead (Ep 1:20 -note), seated Him at His right hand in the heavenlies (Ephesians 1:20), subjected all things under His feet (Ep 1:22-note), and gave Him as head over the church (Ephesians 1:22). She begins to pray for direction. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. -- Ears from Harvested Sheaves. (Jon Courson's Application Commentary). For example, Deuteronomy 32:9 says, For the Lords portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance. Psalm 33:12 proclaims, Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. (See, also, Deut. They are the real eyes for discerning the nature of issues important to God. Some take it to mean, the riches of the glory of the inheritance that comes from God and is enjoyed among the saints. In other words, they take it to be a prayer that we would come to know all of the spiritual blessings that God has given to us. Comment: The fact that Paul qualifies this "hope" as "one hope" emphasizes that there is the same ultimate, glorious reality for all of the church, whether Jew or Gentile! I hold fast to the opinion that our God is ever trying to reveal Himself to us. No. But where are You?. These include truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. 5:16). Kleros may be used in the plural, but kleronomia is never so used. Working (1753) (energeia from en = in + rgon = work, English = energy) describes effectual working, efficiency or active, effective power. Just as His calling (Eph 1:18) issued from Him and was received by believers, so His inheritance issues from Him. As saints, were Gods inheritance, His treasure, His prize! When He is seated at the right hand of God, so are we, in Christ. No one can do the work of God successfully without being filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul is still praying for them to "know" (a Spirit enabled, beyond a shadow of a doubt knowing) about their hope, the inheritance and the power. (cf 2Co 6:11-13+)(Ephesians Commentary). -- Glenn Spencer, Glenn Spencer - Old fashioned Holy Ghost power is the need of the day. 15:16; 1Sa 16:7; 1 Ki. Ephesians 1:18 In-Context 16 I couldn't stop thanking God for you - every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. (John 13:7). All of these pieces of armor must be put on with prayer (v.18). He wishes this knowledge of God would impact the minds and hearts of every child of God. The same divine power that created, sustains, and controls the universe secures your salvation. Paul usessaints nine times - Ep 1:1+, Eph 1:15+, Eph 1:18+; Eph 2:19+;; Eph 3:8+, Eph 3:18+; Eph 4:12+; Eph 5:3+; Eph 6:18+. Second, this enlightenment comes to the heart of the believer (Eph. The gold and the silver and all the universes are His. (1Cor 6:19, 20+). This thought is too great to fully comprehend in this life! 4:6; 14:14, Gilbrant on ischus in classical Greek and the Septuagint -Classical Greek - Ischus is common in the most ancient Greek writings, but gradually it diminished in usage (see Moulton-Milligan for the few citations). Christ has already won the victory over sin, death, the world, and Satan. Here it is the other way around. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened By the Spirit of God already, to see the exceeding sinfulness of sin; the insufficiency of their own righteousness; the beauty, glory, fulness, and suitableness of Christ, as a Saviour; the excellency, truth, and usefulness of the doctrines of the Gospel; in which their understandings were before dark, but now had light into them: wherefore these words are not to be considered as part of the apostle's petitions, but rather as what was taken for granted by him; and are to be put into a parenthesis, and the following words to be joined in connection with the preceding verse; unless it should be thought, that the apostle prays for greater illuminations, and for more spiritual light, and that the eyes of their understandings might be more and more enlightened; the phrase, (lkvh Nye) , (omma thv dianoiav) , "the eye of the understanding", is Rabbinical, and often to be met with in Jewish writings F6; the Alexandrian copy, and several others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read, "the eyes of your heart"; and to, (twbblh ynye) , "the eyes of the hearts, or minds", is a phrase used by the Jewish writers F7: that ye may know what is the hope of his calling; by which is meant, the effectual calling of the saints; which is not a call to an office, or a call merely by the external ministry of the word; but which is internal, special, powerful, high, and heavenly: and this is the calling of God, of which he is the author; who calls with an holy calling, unto eternal glory by Christ Jesus; and which is without repentance: and the hope of this calling, is either eternal happiness, which is the thing hoped for; or Christ, who is the ground and foundation of it; or the grace of hope, which is exercised on both; or all three: for hope of eternal glory, as it is founded on Christ, may be said to be the hope of the calling of God, because it is wrought in the soul at the time of the effectual calling, and what saints are then called to the exercise of; and calling grace, is an encouragement to hope for eternal life; since whom God calls, he justifies and glorifies: and now the apostle prays, that these saints who were called by the grace of God, might know more of Christ, the foundation of their hope; and what that is they are hoping for, and more and more what it is to hope for the same, upon the view of Christ's person, blood, and righteousness: and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; the saints themselves are the Lord's portion, and the lot of his inheritance, in whom he is, and will be abundantly glorified; but here it rather seems to design the heavenly inheritance before spoken of, of which the Spirit is the earnest; and this is the Lord's, it is of his preparing, and it is his gift, and a very rich and glorious inheritance it is: hence it is not only signified by mansions, and everlasting habitations, by an house, and by a city, but by a kingdom; the riches of grace are preparatory to it, and the riches of glory are comprised in it; and this is in, or among the saints, who only have a right unto it, and a meetness for it; and what this inheritance is, with the riches and glory of it, will not be fully known in this life; and indeed but little of it is known; so that such a petition as this is always proper and pertinent. The hope of His calling points to the certain eternal destiny and future glory of the saints, and especially the fact that these mortal bodies will but on immortality and will forever be like Christ (cf 1Co 15:53+, Ro 8:29-30+ where "glorified" is past tense it is so certain!, Php 3:21+, 1Jn 3:2+). When we know them in the head and not the heart, we are simply "smarter sinners" but when we know them in our heart, we will become more like our Savior. Ephesians 1:19 is a power packed passage with 4 Greek synonyms for power that give a great glimpse of the God's manifold power, especially His resurrection power (cf Ro 1:4+). This expectation of seeing Jesus, our "Blessed Hope" [see below] and being like Him is entertained equally by both Jewish and Gentile believers. What a tragedy when believers do the same thing with the riches they possess in Christ, failing to really possess their possessions! Joshua On the way home, the father asked the boy why he didn't reach his own hand into the jar. Eido/oida is distinguished from ginosko(epiginosko, epignosis - the other major NT word group for knowing) because ginosko generally refers to knowledge obtained by experience or "experiential knowledge". All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. 2 Peter 2:11 (note) whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. Haggai So even though many of the translations are not perfectly accurate to the Gree, they all retain the essence of Paul's desire for the saints to "know" these three things beyond a shadow of a doubt. In fact, the Greek word translated church in the New Testament means a called-out assembly. The call to salvation involves conforming us to the image of his Son. His election and call to salvation are part of an eternal plan for us that guarantees our inheritance in heaven: And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified (Romans 8:2930). Warren Wiersbe (Be Rich [Victor Books], pp. (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. You might not see yourself as a spiritual leader, but you are important to those who look to you as an example of Christian character. So there is great glory to God in the conversion of every sinner. On the Saturday before, California businessman Charles Fuller read about Raders visit in the newspaper. you may know (eido) that you have eternal life. Freedom, You have given us freedom The faith that saves is not the faith whereby we live the victorious Christian life. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, In conclusion, is supernatural power that is in actual operation. (Commentary on the New Testament:), Warren Wiersbe - First, enlightenment comes from the Holy Spirit. This certainty is provided in Jesus Christ. Note however that Paul did not pray for power to be given to believers. He gives the worldling husks; but he stops to find out the sweet fruits for his people. Observe, Those who have their eyes opened, and have some understanding in the things of God, have need to be more and more enlightened, and to . The discoveries youll make, the understanding you will glean, the gifts of praise, the expression of even frustrated prayer will affect you for the next zillion years. 2. the rich inheritance that he possesses in them, and No longer bound by sin and darkness One needs to realize that subjective hope is based on objective hope, a hope that looks back to Gods work of redemption in 1:314, especially in 1:910 where Paul relates that all things are going to be headed up in Christ. 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?" Such is the case in Matthew 13. The unaccustomed soil is brought beneath the yoke of the plough. I was just waiting on him. THOUGHT -Is your heart tender to the Word of God? Many Old Testament texts speak of Israel as Gods chosen portion or inheritance. Jesus healed by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38); cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit (Mt 12:28); was resurrected from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:11+); and was seated at God's right hand in the heavenly places through the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:19, 20+). Isaiah 46:911is the cornerstone passage that removes all doubt aboutGods sovereignty. Such activity is a far cry from what God intended and expects the local Church to be. Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17, Psalms 121:3, Philippians 4:19, James 1:17, Ephesians 1:3, Revelation 21:9, Romans 8:21-26, . (Lehman Strauss Commentary Devotional Studies on Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians- online), Kenneth Wuest says that dunamis "power in the sense of that which overcomes resistance or effects a change" (In Mark 5:30 literal Greek = Jesus, perceiving in Himself the out from Him power going out) It was some of (Jesus') supernatural power which He felt leaving Him in the accomplishing of the miraculous cure". But there are many good reasons to interpret the text this way. And so the ESV Study Bible comments that "The inheritance here is not the Christians inheritance but his (Gods). Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. No, because hes after the treasure. THOUGHT - Beloved, there is a powerful principle taught in this section. All rights reserved. 7 Ways To Keep From Killing Your Message By Carey Nieuwhof on March 1, 2023 That is what Paul desires for them and for all believers. WALK IN THE SPIRIT. Here he prays that we will know the riches of its glory. This power was irresistible. That call became his motivating force. God called the entire nation of Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). 5:2; 12:21, 25, 28, 30; 16:27f; 29:11f; 2 Chr. The psalmist understood that the supernatural Word of God was unlike any writing of man and thus pleaded with God to Open (Hebrew galah = Piel stem always denotes "to uncover" something which otherwise is normally concealed. (Meyer, F B: Our Daily Homily). THOUGHT - God grant all of Your children spiritual eyes to perceive and possess our possessions in Christ. On the other hand, eido/oida often refers more to an intuitive knowledge, although this distinction is not always clear cut. (seeEphesians MacArthur New Testament Commentary) (Bolding added). Having prayed then that God would enlighten the eyes of our hearts, Paul specifies three things that God wants you to know: Paul later (4:4) will talk about the hope of your calling, but here he refers to the hope of His calling. Why does he do that? A day is as a thousand years. I submit that this argues strongly against so-called evolution in the first creation, as it was certainly not necessary in the second (new birth) creation. Jesus, You have given us freedom It is His capability to function effectively. Comment: The firm assurance or hope that believers have in this life is the return of Jesus Christ in glory to take them home into His presence and give them glorified bodies like His. Luke The fact that God exerted such mighty power to save us implies that His same mighty power will keep us. The hope of his calling.--(See Ephesians 4:4.) He graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., 1976 in Bible exposition) and Califo More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. Romans 8:24-25 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? The answer is yes, yes, yes. We have to exercise ourselves in order that the Son of God may be manifested in our mortal flesh. The key to overcoming a troubled, perplexed, stressed heart is to focus on the hope of His calling, on whats ahead, on heaven. NIV and his incomparably great power for us who believe.