Writing to the Thessalonians, Paul reminded them, Our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction (1 Thess. View (1) is probably the more valid interpretation although both views are taught in Scripture and the Greek text does allow for both interpretations. 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). The person who has received Christ is a new creation. He knows that future hope has the potential to motivate us to present obedience. Of course, all these blessings are only for those who meet the conditions set forth in Eph 1:1-2 (ED: THOSE WHO BELIEVE). (Acts 26:18+), Robert Morgan illustrates the truth in this verse with the following story - Recently when my CD player died, I asked a friend to look at it. But I do more than thank. He had mercy on whom he would have mercy, and ordained a chosen company unto eternal life; thus, therefore, are they his by his unconstrained election. They are actually conflicts with evil spiritual forces (6:12). Mighty strength in our inner being, "through His Spirit" (Ephesians 3:16-note). 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. For example, a young nursery worker may read about babies languishing in Romanian orphanages. On the way home, the father asked the boy why he didn't reach his own hand into the jar. Second is energeia (working), the energizing force of the Spirit that empowers believers to live for the Lord. Our faith must grow. On the Saturday before, California businessman Charles Fuller read about Raders visit in the newspaper. 4:15). - Now, I want to ask you a question: Are you sitting in this auditorium, this morning, or are you sitting in heavenly places? It always refers to supernatural power: once of satanic power (2 Thess 2:9), while the others allude to Gods power directly (Eph 1:19; 3:7; Phil 3:21; Col 1:29; 2:12; 2 Thess 2:11) or indirectly (Eph 4:16). Another English word dynamite, is derived from dunamis and since dunamis is used by Paul to describe the "power of God", some have suggested that the gospel is "Gods dynamite". get to know the Bible better! 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? Are you confused now? 46) he admonished them to employ that power in faithful living for their Lord. God's incomparably great power helps us grow, change, love others. The American Standard Version reads: "the eyes of your heart," not mind. Try to grasp the scope of that thought, dearly beloved of God! Meditate on the truths in Ephesians Chapter One. A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. In Ephesians 1:19 and Ephesians 6:10, ischus describes the strength of God bestowed upon believers. Samuel Chadwick writes: "The Church that is man-managed instead of God-governed is doomed to failure. 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. It is in our personal lives. Heart (2588) (kardia) is most often used in the Bible not of the literal organ that circulates blood in our body. A day is as a thousand years. What was Davids response to Gods power (v. 13)? He trips over something, brushes the dirt from it, and discovers its a treasure. One day our Lord will come again, and we shall all be changed to see Him as He is and to be like Him. Lawrence Richards has a pithy comment stating that "One way to build our own prayer lives, and to direct our intercession for others, is to model our prayers on those found in Scripture. [Beloved, do you really believe that is true? Think about it: When the church holds a Bible study, concert, or picnic, many people show up. Kleros may be used in the plural, but kleronomia is never so used. If we are to ever see revival (ED: PERSONAL OR CORPORATE!) She contacts a Christian organization that operates orphanages in Europe and learns they have an opening for a worker. Well, if you're in Christ, and Christ is at the right hand of God, where are you? Even though He has given humankind the freedom to make choices, His choices have already been made (Exodus 33:19;Romans 9:1018). In Ephesians 1:19 Paul focuses on one key feature of Gods power: His ability to secure the salvation of His people. God is patient with His children, working with us until we see things aright. (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith). THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Languagecopyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Thats the confidence you should have as you live each day. This power is only for Christians, for those who believe. Such a glorious hope inspires to holy living and to a hatred of all that is of this world. John MacArthur makes the excellent, Biblically logical point that "Until we comprehend who we truly are in Jesus Christ, it is impossible to live an obedient and fulfilling life. Finally. They sigh at the foot of cliffs they cannot scale. Exodus (Ephesians Commentary). Again, Paul piles up words to describe Gods power. I dont blame you for feeling that way. 25:15): virtue (Mk 5:30): power (Lk24:29; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 28:19; Acts 17:3031). Jesus said thats the way the Kingdom is. You have given us freedom, Johnson asks "What is the greatness of the power to us what who believe? 13-14) writes, When she was young, Victoria was shielded from the fact that she would be the next ruling monarch of England lest this knowledge spoil her. And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe - Supernatural power for believers to enable them to live in triumph. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). Further, perfectadverbial participles are usually causal in NT Greek. Yes, God's Word promises us great richestreasures that we cannot even attempt to purchase with any amount of money. YouVersion uses cookies to personalize your experience. (THE MEASURE OF IMMEASURABLE POWER). He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. There could be no more, and it is foolish and presumptuous to ask for more. But then we cant figure out why this stupid product doesnt work right! It is a free gift, and yet we have a right to it. The power of Christ applied in the believers behalf can't be defeated because the Creator's power exceeds that of the evil created beings, Satan and his minions. But that he should find the riches of glory in them!--this passes thought. Luke Long before he laid down earths foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Saving faith is sufficient for trusting Christ and being saved, but such must grow into Sanctifying faith, Serving faith, Standing faith, and Suffering faith. Odes Sol. I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness Spirit, soul, and body must be freely yielded to the great Husbandman. 1 Corinthians 1:1). One might think of ischus as God's latent power. Titus 4:13). God has an inheritance. But that one in our nature should be exalted to that seat of pre-eminence and power; that the Mediator between God and man should be the man Christ Jesus; that the hands which once were nailed to the cross should now hold the sceptre, and that the feet which once walked on Lake Gennesaret, which were weary and dust-soiled at Jacobs well, which were washed with a sinful womans tears and kissed in penitential grief and love with polluted lipsthat these very feet should now have all things put under them both in heaven and earth, there is the mystery. He gives the worldling husks; but he stops to find out the sweet fruits for his people. One demon says to the other, "Demon, if those liberal theologians ever really let Jesus Christ out of that tomb, and those so-called Baptist preachers begin to preach itwhew! It is not the word preached, nor the word read in itself; all quickening power proceeds from the Holy Ghost. And so he prays that these saints might be able to grasp the breadth and length and height and depth (Eph 3:18) of the great truths in chapter one, so that they might be enabled by the indwelling Spirit and the riches of God's grace (DOCTRINAL TRUTH IN CHAPTERS 1-3) to order their steps so that they "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called." The Immeasurable Greatness of His Power Toward Us 1 Samuel They are not only his by choice, but by purchase. THOUGHT There will never be a day when God's power is not sufficient to accomplish what God purposes in us and through us to the praise of His glory (what He does in and through us will be seen by others who give Him praise and glory because they realize that it is a supernatural not natural work!) They dont know the reality of heaven. Now I have resurrection power living on the inside The man was powerfully built, and Fuller visualized how he must have looked in the ring. What kinds of trials did Paul face? In other words, this is not just an intellectual ability to understand or teach these truths. 5:2) and motivate you to godly living (1 John 3:3). Thats too tedious, and besides, we think that were smart enough to figure this out without reading the directions. ", It is power. But because Israel rejected that call and followed idols, they never flourished in the way God wanted to prosper them. 8:29;I John 3:1-2). Nick "watch out for Adam" - The Young and the Restless - Soaps.com's 22:5. But where are You?. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. To correct this problem, we must embrace all aspects of prayer. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? This same truth is found in the first epistle of Peter where we read that believers are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1Pe 2:9+). 1:4). Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! 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. It is hope that Paul here links with Gods effectual call: Scholars are divided over whether hope refers to the subjective emotion or to the objective content of our promised blessings in Christ. The Greek text may be interpreted in either of two ways. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) Deuteronomy 9:29+ Yet they are Your people, even Your inheritance, whom You have brought out by Your great power and Your outstretched arm.. In other words, believers cannot do with this power what they choose, but its use must conform to the direction given by Christ, the head of the Church. Third is kratos (strength), which may also be translated dominion (1 Ti 6:16) or power (Heb. Yes, we are, indeed, the conquered captives of his omnipotent love. you may know . The eye on yours is dusty. He cleaned it and the problems disappeared. So what does he do? What a tragedy when believers do the same thing with the riches they possess in Christ, failing to really possess their possessions! If God omnipotently says, "Thou shalt," man shall not say, "I will not." From a shorter form of kaleo; an invitation. I do not mean that God is trying to appear to our physical eyesight. This he did altogether apart from any goodness in them at the time, or any goodness which he foresaw in them. God has given us His Word as the manual for our salvation. Paul's prayer that they come to intuitively, absolutely know the hope of their calling is in marked contrast to their former state as idol worshipping pagans who were without "hope and without God in the world." Illustration - In 218 b.c. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural. Huperballo is used only 5x in the NT but 3 are in Ephesians. When we make use of these resources, we will experience the mighty power with which God raised Christ from death! 2:12) as, strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.. In the Mississippi River, right? Revelation, Search Wikipedia using spiritual discretion, our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey, Lehman Strauss Commentary Devotional Studies on Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, Nelson's Annual Preacher's Sourcebook, 2002 Edition, Ephesians MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Ephesians 1:15-23 Possessing the Possessions in Christ, The Wealth, Walk and Warfare of the Christian, Brown, Colin, Editor. What a battle He had in us before we would be won! money, possessions, or abundance, richness, valuable bestowment. I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, 18 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 Christians, The same power which raised the Head works life in the members. 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. 3:8; 4:13; 5:4; 7:16; Nah. I think the needle is broken, I told him. When we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine to feed and nourish others. . ", Colossians 1:29 records Paul's testimony: "I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.". Will Pauls prayer be answered in your life? Glorified in the life that is life indeed. This effect in context undoubtedly refers to the ministry of the Holy Spirit Who illuminates spiritual truth to the hearts of believers (See Illumination of the Bible). No spendthrift hand can scatter or over-spend its treasures. 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. (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith), John MacArthur - MAINTAINING A CLEAR PERSPECTIVE. So the dynamo of Christian living is within the believer because God is within the believer. 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. But, as weve seen (1:13), believers have been sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. Since Gods promises are as certain as He is faithful, the hope of our calling is not some vague, wishful thinking that everything will work out for our good. Modern maps containing the results Of the explorations of Livingstone, Stanley, Burton, tell another story of river, Savannah, tableland, and of myriads of inhabitants. 2 Thessalonians What made the difference? 4:10; 8:10; Esther 4:17; 10:2; Job 4:2; 5:5; 6:11f, 22, 25; 9:19; 12:16; 16:5; 23:6; 26:2, 12; 30:2, 18; 31:24, 39; 36:5, 19, 22; 37:23; 39:11, 21; 40:16; Ps. Eido was found in the Greek secular writings to describe a theory or hypothesis which had been confirmed. ESV and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might. And what is he attempting to describe? John MacArthur - RECEIVING SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened (Eph. 1:16). spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." He, she, it, they, them, same. The "bad" news is that it doesn't have anything to do with money. How does this apply? We shall never know the far-away springs of the Niles and Congo's of his nature; we shall never unravel the innermost secret of his being. (Eph 4:1+). 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. The four words are dunamis, energeia, ischus and kratos. What promises did God make to him (vv. He reminded us of the motivation behind prayercommunicating with the One who is in control of all things. 10:10): a strong consolation (Heb6:18): a mighty angel (Rev18:21). From phos; to shed rays, i.e. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. Eph 3:16+ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:18 titled "The Hope of His Calling," Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds this great prayer of Paul and carefully navigates between the general call of God in the gospel for all and the effectual call of the Holy Spirit for believers. This time, Jonah did. It is a very high honor conferred upon God's servants, that it is said of them, "He shall choose their inheritance." 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. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. 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. (Eph 2:12+). The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. His death had our name on it. Thus, Love the Lord thy God with all thy strength (Mk 12:30): according to the working of his mighty power (Eph. 31:3; Ezek. That having the eyes of your heart enlightened. Acts 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). 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). Here we see a prayer Paul offered with the intention of strengthening Christs church. Constable strings these words together writing that "Power (Gr. Such activity is a far cry from what God intended and expects the local Church to be. Nothing can separate you from His love (Rom. When He placed his cross against the wall, and scaled our ramparts, planting on our strongholds the blood-red flag of his omnipotent mercy? Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. Don't miss out on this "once in a lifetime" opportunity! Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. This indicates how precious his people are to God. 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. 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. The Message Canvas Bible: Coloring and Journaling the Story of God, Spring Palette, The Message Large-Print Devotional Bible, softcover, The Message, Large Print, Brown Trio Leather-Look, Message Slimline Bible--soft leather-look, brown/tan, Pause - The Message//REMIX: A Daily Reading Bible - eBook, The Message New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs - eBook. This day is as a thousand years because in your day of difficulty and dilemma, pressure and pain, sadness and sorrow, you have the unique opportunity to share the fellowship of the Lords suffering and to pray for others in a way you never would have been able to otherwise. 2. the rich inheritance that he possesses in them, and 5:10; 8:14; 14:4, 26; 15:6; 18:10; 27:24; 30:25; 31:25; Eccl. 5:11; Jude 1:25; Rev. (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. My hope is built on nothing less Thats why there is rape and famine, pollution, corruption, and death on our planet. Living in the light of Your goodness It sounds vague and theoretical. And not just for the time being, but. It is Christs coming to take His own to be with Himself. It is available. 6:10; Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. 1:18). 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. The possessive pronoun shows that it is Gods inheritance.Because of His choosing, redeeming, adopting, and sealing us, we are his possession. In other words, if we now have come to believe in Christ, we can know that it took nothing less than Gods mighty power to bring us to that point. The good news is that God's Word does promise riches to the believer. 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. As stated above, because of Christ's work for us on the Cross means that in light of the truth that believers have"been justified (declared righteous or in right standing before God, acquitted of our sins) by faith, we have peace with God (cf peace "of" God in Php 4:6-7+where peace depends on how we respond to our circumstances, testings, etc, and if we do by walking in the Spirit as commanded in Gal 5:16+, He gives us peace of God, the fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5:22+) through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand (perfect tense speaks of the permanence or abiding nature of this condition) and we exult (continually boast, rejoice) in hope of the glory of God ( = when we see Jesus face to face - 1Jn 3:2-3+)." In Ephesians 1:314 Paul proclaims the blessings of our salvation. Young's Literal: and what the exceeding greatness of His power to us who are believing, according to the working of the power of His might, AND WHAT IS THE SURPASSING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TOWARD US WHO BELIEVE: kai ti to huperballon (PAPNSN) megethos tes dunameos autou eis hemas tous pisteuontas (PAPMPA). It always has the meaning of an effective power which does things and which any man can recognize." Amazing grace! Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural. But I do more than thank. These refer to various kinds of ability ranging from physical/ mental expenditure (Genesis 31:6), sexual potency (Genesis 49:3), or Gods power (Exodus 9:16; 15:6). What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? that money cannot buy. We need to go back and read the manual carefully, asking God to give us His wisdom and understanding. 4:7). BGT [] , , Amplified: By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), (Amplified Bible - Lockman). What shall we say of those who think that conversion is wrought by the free will of man, and is due to his own betterness of disposition? In later Christianity this enlightening was equated with baptism (cf. Maybe youre saying, Is that ever true! Beloved Christian, think not of what you can get from God but, rather, think of what you mean to God. 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). Zechariah God's people do not fight for victory but from victory! The Lord pursued His disobedient servant until Jonah submitted himself to the call. 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. Second, he exalted him at his right hand (v.20) to be head over everything for the church (vv. 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. The prayer moves from God and Christ (Eph 1:17, 20-21) to the Ephesians (Eph 1:17-19) and the church (Eph 1:22-23). Glory (1391) (doxa) in this context seems to refer to the splendour, brightness or the brightness, shining or radiance. Kardia in Ephesians - Eph. (See note Ephesians 2:10). 79)? "and to earnestly desire to walk worthy of the calling to which they have been called, motivated by the "hope of His calling". The other day, when travelling in Scotland, I was introduced to some farmers whose soil was naturally of the poorest description; and yet, in answer to my inquiries, I found that they were able to raise crops of considerable weight and value. 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. 1QS 11:36). 6:5; 22:18; 24:2, 4; 1 Ki. (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. We discover our call to a specific area of service by walking closely with the Lord, practicing obedience, and offering ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:12;Colossians 1:10). It will encourage you to go on. Do we really believe this is true?
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