All rights reserved, Life Application Study Bible: New Living Translation, Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company, Complete Biblical Library - Incredible Resource, Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament. So here he takes view #2, but in the following note below he takes view #1! In 1:18-19, he elaborates on what that means, namely, that God wants us to know three essentials about our salvation that will give us assurance about our high calling as God's people. Paul does not pray, Lord, give them power. He prays, Lord, help their spiritual eyes see, and appropriate the power they already have resident within. The incomprehensible, dynamic power of the resurrected Christ is already in us. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. When He ascended, we ascended. It may, however, be explained by a piece of farming that I learnt recently. The way to combat these forces is to stand in Gods mighty power (v.10)that is, resurrection power. I cant handle hearing all of the heartbreaking prayer requests for sick children, terminally ill relatives, and church members in financial turmoil.. Eido was found in the Greek secular writings to describe a theory or hypothesis which had been confirmed. And not just for the time being, but forever. In the Mississippi River, right? 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! In other words, Paul had prayed (Eph 1:17) that they might have true spiritual insight into God, and then he included the phrase, having the eyes of your heart enlightened (RSV). Hebrews Nehemiah The living family of God want a living Saviour, one who can hear and answer prayer, deliver out of soul-trouble, speak a word with power to the heart when bowed down with grief and sorrow, sympathise with them under powerful temptations, support them under the trials and afflictions of the way, maintain under a thousand discouragements His own life in their soul, sustain under bereavements the mourning widow, and be a father to her fatherless children; appear again and again in providence as a friend that loveth at all times and a brother born for adversity, smile upon them in death, and comforting them with His rod and staff as they walk through the valley of its dark shadow, land them at last safely in a happy eternity. But heaven seems so far away, you say. But I do more than thank. Power for You-Today! A calling, invitation; in the NT, always of a divine call. 2:916). (The Wealth, Walk and Warfare of the Christian). --DJD. 2:12) as, strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Eph. Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 18, 2019 (message contributor) . 15-19Thats why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldnt stop thanking God for youevery time I prayed, Id think of you and give thanks. 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! Notice in this one letter Paul prays twice for the saints to experience dunamis which He associates with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:17-18 17 But I do more than thank. 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?") They dont know the reality of heaven. 15:10-note). 1:19; Eph. God can. 18:1; 22:15; 29:4, 11; 31:10; 33:16; 38:10; 39:10; 61:2; 65:6; 71:9; 78:61; 102:23; 103:20; 111:6; 118:14; 147:5; Prov. 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! Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the privilege of being His child. (1Cor 6:19, 20+). The answer is yes, yes, yes. 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. A second way to interpret it is that it refers to the inheritance that God has in His people. 3:20). THE POWER OF GOD IN THE ASCENSION LIFE. He wanted them to rise above self-serving behavior and develop the character and likeness of Christ. Zina21 March 3, 2023, 9:29pm 10. He also helped found Fuller Seminary in 1947 and worked ceaselessly for Christ until his death in 1968. The Holy Spirit has sealed the believer, providing the necessary down payment to give assurance and security of the eternal destination to the believer (Ephesians 1:1314). In later Christianity this enlightening was equated with baptism (cf. The child that lies in yonder cradle, over which the coronet is emblazoned, may claim his broad ancestral estates simply by right of birth: and it is on that tenure that the saints hold heaven. There is no way for sinful men and women to find their way into Gods presence unless He reveals Himself and appears to us. Says a good divine, "It is one of the greatest glories of the Church of Christ, that our mighty Maker, and our Friend, always chooses our inheritance for us." Here he prays that we will know the riches of its glory. He will occupy and keep thee. (Hurley, V. Speaker's Sourcebook of New Illustrations Dallas: Word Publishers). That is, probably, "the thing hoped for," because promised, at our calling (as in Galatians 5:5; Colossians 1:5; Titus 2:3; Hebrews 6:18; and perhaps 1Timothy 1:1), for the other objects of knowledge with which it is here joined are certainly objective or external to ourselves. The proper exercise of this power requires continuous faith in Christ, just as we believed in Him at conversion. It is a free gift, and yet we have a right to it. Romans 8:28-30 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 2 Peter 8:3839)! Both views are theologically sound, but the second seems more consistent with Pauls emphasis in Eph 1:11 and Eph 1:14. View (1) is probably the more valid interpretation although both views are taught in Scripture and the Greek text does allow for both interpretations. Peter expresses the same thought in 1 Peter 1:5, where he says you are protected by the power of God through faith in Christ. We need not pray for power to endure suffering. Too many people are trusting Christ for the power to save their souls and not trusting Him for the power to live day by day. It is said that for many years, he lived on crackers and milk because of stomach troubles caused by worrying about his wealth. Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the Spirits transforming work within you. 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. Not only that, but it is all the power we are ever offered or could ever have. Our society has been enamored with the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, especially since the influx of Eastern thought into the West during the 1960s. Although dynamite is derived from this word, there is no suggestion here or anywhere in the Bible that Gods power is instantaneous or explosive. This is simply remarkable! (The Reciprocal Inheritance). (see note), Christ, "the hope of glory," living in us (Colossians 1:27). the more we will be motivated Have you ever wondered why church prayer meetings tend to have low turnouts? The KJV has a unique and memorable way of translating this verse And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power", Paxson - God would then tell us that in this wonder-working power is all that is needed for the commencement, continuance and consummation of our salvation: that it is all-sufficient for every demand made upon the saint in appropriating his wealth, in walking worthily of his high calling, and in wrestling victoriously against Satanic powers. . In the parallel prayer in Colossians 1:11-12, Paul prays that we would be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. In other words, Gods glorious, mighty power enables us to endure trials steadfastly, patiently, and joyously, with a thankful heart to the Father. Finally. The eye on yours is dusty. He cleaned it and the problems disappeared. Look from the place where thou art, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for all this land is given to thee! But they are being intellectually lazy and exposing themselves to spiritual danger! What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? To say it another way, Paul prayed that believers would know the hope, inheritance and power not in their head but in their hearts, the very essence of their being. We fence off a part of ourselves for God, excluding Him from all the rest. 2:9). GotQuestions.org, Warren Wiersbe sums up Paul's prayer for the saints to know the power they possess - The power of the Holy Spirit, through the resurrected, ascended Christ, is available to all Christiansby faith. 2 Chronicles COMMENT - Note how Paul associates our New Creation in Christ (2Co 5:17+) with the creation of the heavens and the earth. What is the difference between kleros and kleronomia (in the context of the uses in the Septuagint)? 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). Such is the case in Matthew 13. Thus, Love the Lord thy God with all thy strength (Mk 12:30): according to the working of his mighty power (Eph. The hope of our calling is the absolute certainty of our heavenly destiny and includes all that awaits the saints at the return of the Lord Jesus and is what Paul referred to by the phrase the "Blessed hope" writing in Titus that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking (not just any kind of looking but looking anxiously, eagerly, earnestly, expectantly) for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. On the other hand if I give you a million dollars, I have given to you "according to" or more in proportion to my riches. On the other hand, eido/oida often refers more to an intuitive knowledge, although this distinction is not always clear cut. 15-19Thats why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldnt stop thanking God for youevery time I prayed, Id think of you and give thanks. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; | GotQuestions.org, Is there any power in positive thinking? Numbers This earnest prayer reveals the infinite importance of knowledge as a foundation for walking worthy in this Christian life. She contacts a Christian organization that operates orphanages in Europe and learns they have an opening for a worker. After Jonah was back on dry land, the word of the Lord came to him again with the same call, giving him another chance to obey. Hebrews 10:32+ But remember (present imperativeseeour need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings. After this time, Jesus rose from the dead, the miracle of miracles. The only aim of the life is that the Son of God may be manifested, and all dictation to God vanishes. I was just waiting on him. 119:18; John 3:3), hear (Mt. There is nothing more to seek, nothing more to be given or received. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? Philemon Undefiled! For Further Study: Read 2 Corinthians 1112. The Message Compact Bible--soft leather-look, black, The Message//REMIX 2.0, Purple Swirl - Imperfectly Imprinted Bibles, The Message Deluxe Gift Bible--soft leather-look, amethyst gem, The Message of Hope: Discover Meaning and Purpose for Your Life - eBook. 6:22 =that he may comfort your hearts. Is not this the secret of any grace or wealth there is in Christian lives? The soul, as is written, The soul of man is the lamp of the Lord (Prov. Each one utilizes the gifts the Spirit has given. To understand it, you must continually ask God to enlighten the eyes of your heart. Jesus said thats the way the Kingdom is. The end of which is, that those predestinated, redeemed, and adopted ones, should be to the praise and glory of God, Eph 1:12, and who are described as such, who first trusted in Christ upon hearing the Gospel; and after they had believed in him, were sealed by the Holy Spirit, said to be the Spirit of promise, Eph 1:13, and who is also spoken of as the earnest and pledge of the saints' inheritance, and who will continue so until all the people of God are redeemed from the grave in the resurrection morn, which will also issue in the praise and glory of God, Eph 1:14, and now on account of all these blessings of predestination, adoption, redemption, calling, and the sealing of the Spirit; as also, because of their faith in Christ, and love to the saints, these believers were possessed of, the apostle gave thanks, and continued to give thanks to God in his prayers to him, Eph 1:15,16. (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. Spurgeon compared the general call of the gospel to the sheet lightning that you see on a summer night. (Matthew 13:31-32) He used the mustard seed to teach His disciples an important lesson about faith and victory. He gathers out the fruits from among the leaves, that his people might have the best food, and enjoy the richest pleasures. Some are called to the political arena or to end human trafficking. God's power is sufficient for our every need. dunamis) refers to a spiritually dynamic living force. 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. The power mentioned inEphesians 1:1920is continually attributed to God, not us. Whatever Thou dost get out of us, Thou must first put in. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope (living because of the resurrection of Christ Who ultimately is our "Hope" as Paul states in 1Timothy 1:1 "Christ Jesus, our hope") through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. These three words describe it as energetic, inherent in God, and able to overcome resistance respectively. But, as we do with so many owners manuals, we read it superficially or hardly at all and then wonder why the Christian life isnt working the way its supposed to! 1:19, p. 214): Pauls object, therefore, was not only to impress the Ephesians with a deep sense of the value of Divine grace, but also to give them exalted views of the glory of Christs kingdom. God's Word promises riches Even the best Christians need to be prayed for: and while we hear of the welfare of Christian friends, we should pray for them. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, NLT (revised)I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. What a battle He had in us before we would be won! Eph 3:16+is another "powerful" (power full - also using dunamis) passage indicating that the Holly Spirit is the Source of this incredible supernatural power (cf Lk 4:14+ = Jesus' pattern for our lives today [1Co 11:1+]!, Acts 1:8+, Ro 15:19+, 1Co 2:4+, 1Th 1:5, Micah 3:8)! But when Adam sinned, he inadvertently handed it over to Satan. Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. Now, I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness Now my whole lifes aims and ambitions are changed. 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. From hagos; sacred. | 8,801 views. Never apologize for your inner eyes! 5 Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. If, for example, you realize you have every resource for godly living (Eph. 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+. What prerogatives did David attribute to God (vv. Paul did not pray for power to be given to believers. But this is as impossible to our unaided energy, as for the swallow to follow the majestic flight of the golden eagle, soaring sunward. The American Standard Version reads: "the eyes of your heart," not mind. Copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Paul shows the proper relationship of faith and works in this letter, explaining that believers are God's, "workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." 31:10; Ezek. 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. His inheritance is in His saints. Our Lord never dictated to His Father, and we are not here to dictate to God; we are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Throughout Scripture, the word hope always refers to that which is coming, to that which is ahead. THAT THE EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEING ENLIGHTENED. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 (1Th 2:10-11) so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God Who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. Paul confidently added that nothing therefore can separate you from Gods love (Rom. And they became thine in fact, when thou wast born at the foot of the cross. Saving faith is sufficient for trusting Christ and being saved, but such must grow into Sanctifying faith, Serving faith, Standing faith, and Suffering faith. Literally eido/oida refers to perception by sight (perceive, see) as in Mt 2:2+"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? Hope (1680) (elpis) (See also study on Believer's Blessed Hope) expresses a desire of some good with the expectation of obtaining it. The new has come, Now I have resurrection power living on the inside 2 Corinthians 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. (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith), John MacArthur- UNDERSTANDING YOUR CALLING. He has just prayed that God would give to them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. Hebrews 13:21 records the prayer, "Make you perfect [mature] in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight.". He gives them to us by the handfuls. The present glories of the ascended Christ are glories possessed by a Man, and, that being so, they are available as evidences and measures of the power which works in believing souls. 29:1113). The gospel call is given by men and is a universal call to repent and trust Christ for salvation (see, e.g., Matt. No amount of worldly noise or manmade programming will make up for the sad lack of the Holy Spirit's presence. They are not only his by choice, but by purchase. Extract each minute. Hope in the present context is not the objective hope, that hope which is laid up for the believer (Col 1:5; Rom 8:24) but the subjective hope of all believers. In Ephesians 1:1820, the apostle Pauls prayer reveals that growing in the knowledge of God means growing in the knowledge of Gods mighty power. But I do more than thank. The next time we feel weak, we need to recall this passage to our mind (a present imperative command in Php 4:8-note), not in the sense of "mind over matter" but in the sense that this is what is true about us, a truth that we need to walk in by faith (2Cor 5:7, Col 2:6), even (especially) during those times we feel weak (cp 2Cor 12:9-10-note) or inadequate (2Cor 3:5-6-note, 1Cor 15:10-note). Spiritual enlightenment doesnt come through self-effort or introspective meditation but through Gods Holy Spirit. 17:6; Ezek. . 1. New Testament scholar F. F. Bruce writes (The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians [Eerdmans], p. 270), That God should set such high value on a community of sinners, rescued from perdition and still bearing too many traces of their former state, might well seem incredible were it not made clear that he sees them in Christ, as from the beginning he chose them in Christ., Why did God do this? 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. Amen. Then he adds (Calvins Commentaries [Baker reprint], on Eph. 1:31; 2:10, 19, 21; 3:1; 10:13, 33; 11:2; 23:4, 11; 28:6; 29:2; 30:15; 33:11, 13; 37:3; 40:9f, 26, 29, 31; 41:1; 42:13; 44:12; 45:1; 47:5, 9; 49:4f, 26; 51:9; 52:1; 58:1; 61:6; 62:8; 63:1, 15; Jer. But next to this, the emigrant encloses some small part of his inheritance, placing around it a tentative fence or partition; and here he begins to expend toil and skill. Vincent has a discussion of two related words ischus and dunamis (in his note on 2 Peter 2:11) -. O child of God, thy estate has been procured at the cost of blood and tears; but thou didst not buy it! (Ephesians 1:19) We are bidden to follow our Master in his up ward track, and to sit with Him, in daily happy experience, where He is already seated at the right hand of God. Don't miss out on this "once in a lifetime" opportunity! Esther 46) he admonished them to employ that power in faithful living for their Lord. Second, this enlightenment comes to the heart of the believer (Eph. Generally, then, it may be said that while both words include the idea of manifestation or of power in action, ischus emphasizes the outward, physical manifestations, and dunamis the inward, spiritual or moral virtue.
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