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

Let this incomparable truth stir within your heart a passionate desire that He may be glorified in you more fully each day until that great day dawns for which both He and we look with such fervent expectation. Knowing of Jonahs disobedience beforehand, God had already prepared a great fish to swallow him and spit him out when he was humbled enough to repent (Jonah 1:172:1). It sounds idealistic. That there are diversities of gift is manifest; and there always will be a vast difference between those who have five talents and those who have two, in the amount of work done for the kingdom of God. On the other hand Alexander Maclaren asks Is that heaping together of synonyms or all but synonyms, mere tautology? Rather, He is trying to appear to the eye of our soul through an inner consciousness. John Piper does one of his "labs" on the question of inheritance and ends by saying possibly both aspects are true. Hope in Scripture is the absolute certainty of future good. Harold Hoehner -In Eph 1:14 Paul wrote that the Christians inheritance is their final redemption from the presence of sin. Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. If God can raise Jesus from the dead, God can provide all that is promised to the believer. Nevertheless, in this verse Paul is referring to the subjective hope. Harold Hoehner points out that "The NEB, NASB, and NIV state another request: I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. 13:9; Heb 5:11), taste (Ps. All who receive it respond in faith. The surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. Plato (Protagoras, 350) draws the distinction thus: I should not have admitted that the able (dunatous) are strong (ischurous), though I have admitted that the strong are able. Further, perfectadverbial participles are usually causal in NT Greek. It grows even taller when he prays that we would know the glory of Gods inheritance in the saints. 6:22 =that he may comfort your hearts. The first dealt with the past, where the hope was produced by the calling of his people to himself. Nick should look at his evil father and sister. It is a mystery that God should find his inheritance and portion in the love of men and women like ourselves. For there is a difference between ability (dunamin) and strength (ischuo). (Eph 2:12+). 19:11; Ezek. 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. He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. 1:911; Col. 1:912), we discover the blessings he wanted his converts to enjoy. As Paul puts it (2 Tim. 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. QUESTION -Do believers really have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:1920)? Commentators tell us that they can distinguish differences of meaning between the words, in that the first of them is the more active and outward, and the last of them is the more inward. It is only as God's Spirit illuminates our mind that we actually can truly know the spiritual truth He wants us to know. Gods calling of Israel was to showcase Gods salvation to the pagan world. The only aim of the life is that the Son of God may be manifested, and all dictation to God vanishes. Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (NASB: Lockman). 2 Corinthians 5:11; Jude 1:25; Rev. That we might sense and experience the working of His incomparably great power for us who believe (Ep 1:19a). Paul confidently added that nothing therefore can separate you from Gods love (Rom. A ministry that is College-trained but not Spirit-filled works no miracles. Zechariah What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? 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. 4 Long before he laid down earth's 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. The young man then begins to study that nation and enrolls in a missions-focused school. Jonah was called by God but refused to surrender to that call; instead, he ran the other way (Jonah 1:13). We are the Lords Portion, the Lords Inheritance. 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. Hannibal invaded Italy in the second of three Punic Wars that determined the fate of Rome and Carthage. Here it is the other way around. 4:1; Song 2:7; 3:5; 5:8; 8:4; Is. Acts 16:14+ A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened (dianoigo) her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural. (See the Three Tenses of Salvation), Lehman Strauss- And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe (1:19). They have laid all God's revealed character under contribution. But now Rader was fighting for souls, and as he stood to speak he proclaimed his text, Ephesians 1:18. (SeeThe Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked!). An almost identical prayer is recorded by Clement of Rome(written between 75-110 AD, cf to Ephesians 60-62 AD) asking God to open the eyes of our heart to know you. (Also a good prayer!). On the Saturday before, California businessman Charles Fuller read about Raders visit in the newspaper. F B Meyer writes about THE SAINTS' INHERITANCE IN GOD (Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 5:5). Paul always uses the word call to refer to this effectual call of God that actually saves the one called (Charles Hodge, Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians [Eerdmans], p. 75). (Hurley, V. Speaker's Sourcebook of New Illustrations Dallas: Word Publishers). Thus as 1 John 3:2-3 puts it, Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. But where are You?. May we learn daily to surrender to the Spirit of Christ, Who energizes our walk, elevating it from a "natural" to a "supernatural" walk. It is grace that supplies the wealth, but it is faith that lays hold of the wealth (cp 2Cor 5:7-note). This time, Jonah did. This is the same mighty power (NLT - Tyndale House), Phillips: and how tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God. Kneeling in the back seat, Fuller gave his life to Christ in prayer. Practice these truths enabled by the Holy Spirit. But God waits to realize in us all that He has prepared for us; and the third item in the apostle's prayer for his converts is that they might know "the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe. For Further Study: Joshuas call to lead Israel was not a call to salvation, but it illustrates some important principles for spiritual leadership. 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). I may have a call to go to the mission field in Africa. THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Languagecopyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Ephesians 1:18-19 The Message 15-19 That's 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 couldn't stop thanking God for youevery time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. In His devotional on Dt 32:9 Spurgeon asks "How are they his? Col 1:28) also I labor, striving according to His power (dunamis), which mightily works (energeo- present tense - continually works) within me. Ephesians 1:18 Context. In accordance (2596) (kata) not out of but according to. -- Maclaren, Alexander Maclaren - It is 'exceeding.' While I cant begin to explain this adequately (I need more enlightenment from God! But the effectual call is the lightning bolt that connects. Psalms Isnt that magnificent? I am in total agreement with you. According to Jeremiah 9:2324. 1:18; Eph. - Now, I want to ask you a question: Are you sitting in this auditorium, this morning, or are you sitting in heavenly places? You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Letters: Ephesians 1:18 Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened (Ephes. It is exclusively a Pauline word used only to describe superhuman or supernatural power, whether of God or of the devil. Just as the Jews were formerly Gods chosen inheritance, now His inheritance is in the saints, the church, made up of Jewish and Gentile believers on equal footing. 15:13). Ezra 9:8 But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. The Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked! 1QS 11:36). Im convinced the single greatest problem carnal Christians have is that they dont know the hope of His calling. (seeEphesians Through Revelation), Complete Biblical Library - This power always operates "in Christ." May His Spirit enable us to worship Him Monday - Saturday (not just on Sunday) in spirit and in truth. Kleronomia compounded from kleros and nemo, allot, is first the activity of dividing by lot, then the portion so divided, the inheritance. 1 Peter 3:9not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. He is powerless to apprehend spiritual things. 1:5). So he should not be judging Adam who shows concern for his unborn child. 21:23; Rev. This marvelous faculty of spiritual sight is lacking in the unregenerated man. James 28:9; 33:12; 78:62, 71; 106:5, 40; Isa. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. 15.110; Sib. We could never defeat these spiritual foes in our own power, but we can through the Spirits power. Only here in the NT (hapax legomenon)BDAG -1. quality of exceeding a standard involving physical magnitude (size),2. quality of exceeding a standard of excellence, greatness.". Because He wants to hang out on the Columbia River? One day our Lord will come again, and we shall all be changed to see Him as He is and to be like Him. 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. F B Meyer commenting on inheritance in 1Peter 1:4-notesees it asview #2, but in the following note below he takes view #1! It is His capability to function effectively. These include truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. 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. Zondervan). 7:7; Ezek. 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. Only when we know who we really are can we live like who we are. 1 Timothy He is able! Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! So there is great glory to God in the conversion of every sinner. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. It is amazing that God would even need an inheritance because He owns everything (cp Ps 50:10) and yet here Moses clearly states that the Lords portion is His people. Having been enlightened rests on the observation that you cant see in the dark and implies that the addressees used to live in mental darkness but that at conversion they were transferred into the realm of mental light, so that now they can see what the Spirit reveals to them (Eph 4:1718; Eph 5:8; Colossians 1:13). It is active energy as opposed to potential energy..In the NT it occurs eight times and is used only by Paul, three times in Ephesians (1:19; 3:7; 4:16). 3:17 = so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; Eph. but we barred our gates, and fenced our walls against him. In time, Fuller himself became a powerful evangelist, helping usher radio evangelism to the forefront with weekly broadcasts from Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, heard nationwide. She begins to pray for direction. How did God respond to Pauls prayer to remove his thorn in the flesh? Ep). Theyre depressed and discouraged because they dont see the big picture of eternity. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular. Peter saysThink it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you. Rise to the occasion; do the thing. See discussion of the value of pausing to ponder this term of purpose or result . energy) of the might (kratous, power that overcomes resistance, as in Christs miracles; this word is used only of God, never of believers) of Gods inherent strength (ischyos) which He provides (cf. They will give us the hope and eternal perspective that we need to endure trials. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. 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." Prior to start Adobe Premiere Pro 2023 Free Download, ensure the availability of the below listed system specifications. 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. No sooner has the emigrant reached his estate, than he commences to prospect it. Gods gifts and his call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). I just love Jesus. Some even think that studying theology is spiritually dangerous. Together we can help each other achieve great things for Him. Here is the inexhaustible strength of God in taking His crucified Son who was dead and buried, and raising Him from among the dead to His present majestic position in heaven. 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). Used by permission of NavPress. Nahum But wholly lean on Jesus name. J C Philpot -It is no great mystery that the Son of God should be exalted to the throne of power. The power which is really at work in Christian men to-day is in its nature properly transcendent and immeasurable, and passes thought and desire and knowledge. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence. 2 Corinthians 4:6+ For God, Who said, Light shall shine out of darkness, (Ge 1:2-3-commentary) is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. Ecclesiastes He sealed us with the Holy Spirit so that we might be kept until the day of redemption, absolutely, totally, eternally secure in our salvation. NLT: I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called. Rom. us with every (how many?) Although Paul wrote his letter in Greek, he was steeped in the Hebrew Biblethat is, the Old Testament. Physically, we are here; but, in Christ, we have been raised. From the base of pletho; wealth, i.e. Habakkuk Wiersbe draws a fitting application of Paul's great prayer for our great need - "The greatest power shortage today is not in our generators or our gas tanks. Now back to Paul's prayer, the point is that when the Holy Spirit opens the spiritual eyes of the heart of Paul's readers, they will be able to perceive and to know these great truths intuitively with a positive knowledge beyond a chance of a doubt. We need to step out in faith and this means faith that obeys (enabled by the Spirit). Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural. (Back to the Bible), Choose Book of Bible to Study 1:18. 13:3; Ezra 9:8; Barn. He wishes them to have eternal life in Christ [John 20:31] and to know that they have it.". Probably, ere long the whole will have been opened up to European civilization and commerce. Deuteronomy 9:29+ Yet they are Your people, even Your inheritance, whom You have brought out by Your great power and Your outstretched arm.. (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. Ezekiel When we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine to feed and nourish others. Compatibility Mechanical: 64 Bit (x64) Galatians (A Day's Journey: 365 Daily Meditations from the Word). (Bible Knowledge Commentary), In another note Hoehner writes that "The word kleronomia occurred in Eph 1:14 and basically means property, possession, or inheritance. Rather, as Paul will go on to say, we were dead in our sins, but God raised us up. Yes, there are dark spiritual powers at work behind the problems Paul discusses in Ephesiansanger, stealing, bitterness, slander, sexual immorality, greed, deception, and so on. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle. That power works in every one of us, as I stand before you. COMMENT - Note how Paul associates our New Creation in Christ (2Co 5:17+) with the creation of the heavens and the earth. Kleronomia has the richer associations in the context of salvation history. The devil hopes you don't understand this. The prophet Jeremiah proclaims that knowledge of God is more valuable than anything else. It is said that for many years, he lived on crackers and milk because of stomach troubles caused by worrying about his wealth. He wishes this knowledge of God would impact the minds and hearts of every child of God. That's my prayer, that you'll understand it: "the exceeding greatness of His power" (Ephesians 1:19). ), How is this resurrection power demonstrated even in this letter? And he prays for you to understand the surpassing greatness of that truth. I think the needle is broken, I told him. 1:19). He bought the world to get you. 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? Though lifting our troubles and needs to God is both acceptable and important, we should never forget to express our thankfulness, jubilance, and praise to Him in prayer. That is what Paul desires for them and for all believers. We must live as citizens of heaven who belong to God. Philemon The NTs concept of hope is built on the OT and has the elements of expectation, a trust in God, and the patient waiting for Gods outworking of his plan. 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. Here Paul in effect prays that they would come to a beyond the shadow of a doubt knowledge of the hope of their calling, God's inheritance in them and their power. Be diligent to pray and spend time in the Word so that your spiritual progress will be evident to all (1 Tim. 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). Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 18, 2019 (message contributor) . -- Glenn Spencer, Glenn Spencer - Old fashioned Holy Ghost power is the need of the day. A certain rabbi, Bar Kappara, said, The soul and the Torah are compared to a lamp. But because Israel rejected that call and followed idols, they never flourished in the way God wanted to prosper them. This is the miraculous power each believer has experienced at the moment of salvation and surely there is no greater manifestation of God's power than this. Luke Is keeping it for me. It sounds vague and theoretical. Suggestions for Prayer: Pray for greater spiritual enlightenment and a clearer understanding of your security in Christ. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might. 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. Isaiah Hope gives us the assurance that we are going toward something better than this present life. Software Full Name: Adobe Premiere Pro 2023. 2:14+). 11.14; 4 Ezra 14:22; 1QS 2:3; 4:2). Its certainly not because of the power of the believer, but the power of God. Believe or not! These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might- Paul piles one word upon another in this incredible description. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? 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. of each person. If that has happened to you, confess it immediately and turn from it. All rights reserved. See related in depth study of the Believer's Blessed Hope. The owner put his hand into the jar, grabbed a handful of candy and handed it to the boy. Paul is praying for a deeper spiritual understanding, that "Aha" reaction we have when we begin to really understand something and exclaim "I see it! Isnt that something? 1:10). 2123). (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. There's more than enough power to break the hold of all sinful habits; more than enough to give deliverance from temptation; more than enough to enable the believer to live above circumstances. 1:3), you are less likely to succumb to temptation. | GotQuestions.org, What is the power of the Holy Spirit? It would seemingly be enough to mention the power of God, who is omnipotent. The inability to see and understand spiritual things is not the fault of the intelligence but of the heart. Yes, we are, indeed, the conquered captives of his omnipotent love. Amos To ask God for more power is an affront to His gracious love which already has provided us everything. (Lehman Strauss Commentary Devotional Studies on Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians- online), Mal Couch - While this is Pauls great desire, that believers truly have a deep spiritual understanding about their relationship with the Lord, this is rarely achieved by the average Christian. And God's surpassing power is available to believers because we are in Christ and He is in us, these "positions" picturing an immutable union, a oneness, a solemn and binding covenant relationship. Here is how this applies: As a believer, you are always in need of the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of your heart to the great truths of the Bible. (Ro 11:2+), Jesus is speaking to unbelieving Jews about His Father in Jn 8:54, and declares to these Jews that) "you have not come to know (ginosko) Him (GOD THE FATHER), but I know (eido- BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT) Him; and if I say that I do not know (eido) Him, I shall be a liar like you, but I do know (eido) Him, and keep His word. In, on, among. The Council's report, released in September 1991, concludes that subliminal messages simply don't work. The uses of eido will not be listed because of the large number (656 hits in 619 verses searching on Strong's Number in the NT - if you want to see these usesCLICK HERE and go down to the "Frequency Lists" and you can study the uses in different translations book by book). The verb belonging to this is kleroo, to draw lots, apportion by lot (only in Eph 1:11-note, Heb 1:4-note). Conversely, revival cannot come if we are far removed from God. Jesus answered and said to him (to Peter who was a bit "put off" that Jesus was preparing to wash his dirty feet! In Philippians 3:21 Paul states that the Lord Jesus Christ "will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the (supernatural) exertion (energeia) of the power that He has (KJV - according to the working whereby He is able = dunamai in present tense = continuously able) even to subject all things to Himself (Php 3:21+), The surpassing power which God's Spirit uses in continually energizing our supernatural life (Php 2:13-note), in ministering to our spiritual needs, is in accordance with, commensurate with His infinite, immeasurable divine energy.