In Ephesians 1:19 Paul focuses on one key feature of Gods power: His ability to secure the salvation of His people. 11:22]). In the Greek culture the seat of emotions would be the intestines. 5:11; Jude 1:25; Rev. Sunday I went up to Los Angeles and heard Paul Rader preach. He finally disembarked his troops from a lack of support at home. But a day is coming -- oh! Arriving at the church the next day, he found a seat behind a large pillar. God's Word promises riches That is what Paul desires for them and for all believers. Paul piles on words for power to make his point. The hope of His calling is to see Him and be one with Him. This seemed to me very extraordinary. It is the power of God that made this possible. Lehman Strauss - The prayer continues: " The eyes of your understanding being enlightened " (1:18). You have given us freedom, Johnson asks "What is the greatness of the power to us what who believe? 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. Here he prays that we will know the riches of its glory. Ecclesiastes -- when His heart shall be fully satisfied in His inheritance, for His glory shall be perfectly manifested in the saints. It would seemingly be enough to mention the power of God, who is omnipotent. If Gods power toward us is so great, why do so many Christians fall into serious sin. In Jesus day, men would bury their treasure in a field for safekeeping. 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. 10:13; Eph. As you pray and study Gods Word, He transforms and renews your mind (Rom. Since land was divided by lot, probably in the framework of common use of the fields, kleros came to mean a share, land received by lot, plot of land, and finally inheritance. So that (1519) (eis) conveys the primary idea of motion into any place or thing figuratively as here speaks of the purpose for the Ephesian saints having been enlightened. How blessed is God! There is no way for sinful men and women to find their way into Gods presence unless He reveals Himself and appears to us. Perhaps it is because many of us assume in advance how the meeting will go. The Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked! Strengthened with might in the inner man (Eph3:16): with all might (Col. 1:11). I cannot understand how this can be, but I know that God has an inheritance even in me. These three words describe it as energetic, inherent in God, and able to overcome resistance respectively. 15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that . Faith and Riches - Do you want to be rich? His death had our name on it. 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. He is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Isa. What is the difference between kleros and kleronomia (in the context of the uses in the Septuagint)? See discussion of the value of pausing to ponder this term of purpose or result . Ephesians 1:18. 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. Exodus We as His followers, can best imitate our Lord by learning to relinquish self reliance and instead relying on God's power which is manifest and effective through His Spirit in us, as we seek to continually be filled with Him (Eph 5:18+) and to walk by Him (Gal 5:16+). THOUGHT - As an aside, remember to pause, ponder and practice interrogating each term of purpose like so that asking questions such as "What is Paul explaining? He has called us to a completed righteousness and to the completed redemption of our bodies. May His Spirit enable us to worship Him Monday - Saturday (not just on Sunday) in spirit and in truth. 18:1; Rev. The reason Yt5s.io is the best youtube downloader . Habakkuk When He is seated at the right hand of God, so are we, in Christ. 2:14+). 2 Chronicles If I am a billionaire and I give you ten dollars, I have given you out of my riches, a small portion of my wealth. Hoehner adds that "Paul is not saying that the power is available at moments of belief, but rather he is stating that the power is available to believers. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Wiersbe -The very power that raised Jesus from the dead is available for our daily lives! 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. We are called by God to salvation. Spirit, soul, and body must be freely yielded to the great Husbandman. We will enjoy perfect happiness in a perfect environment where nothing will be spoiled by sin. I have riches of value untold. Ephesians Year after year the process is repeated, until, perhaps when twenty years have come and gone, the fences are needed no longer, because the extent of occupation is commensurate with the extent of the original purchase. It refers to the inherent strength which displays itself in the rule over others. The eyes of our hearts refers to our total inner person, which includes the intellect, the emotions, and the will. Too many Christians are going hither and yon looking for more blessings, more secrets of how to live a victorious Christian life, etc. It is a matter of constant complaint with Christian people that they fall so far below their aspirations and hopes. He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. View (1) is probably the more valid interpretation although both views are taught in Scripture and the Greek text does allow for both interpretations. 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). Verse of the Day , Ephesians 1:18 Treasury of Scripture Knowing, God, My Praise (Study In God - All I Need-19). (See dictionary discussion of Inheritance), Kleronomia - 14x in 14v - Mt 21:38; Mark 12:7; Luke 12:13; 20:14; Acts 7:5; 20:32; Gal 3:18; Eph 1:14, 18; 5:5-note; Col 3:24-note; Heb 9:15-note; He 11:8-note; 1Pet 1:4-note. 8.247; Justin Martyr, Apology 1.61.12; Dial 39.2; 122.1; cf. I agree that this is Pauls main aim. The power of God in our lives is the result of being Spirit filled and we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit. But, also. Im taking this message from this phrase in Ephesians 1:19: the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe. I know that the vast majority of you do not feel that power. Psalms --DJD. But here, Paul is writing to believers (saints, us who believe, 1:18, 19). Think about it: When the church holds a Bible study, concert, or picnic, many people show up. The person who has received Christ is a new creation. B. Help Them To Achieve (Ephesians 1:15-23) - Newspaper columnist Jean Calmen once wrote about a teacher she called Miss K. In her youth, Calmen had been a student of Miss K's, so she sent the teacher a copy of a column she was especially proud of. No longer bound by sin and darkness In that case, it was used of the believers inheritance which is their share in heaven. Calling (2821) (klesis) (Click for more in depth discussion of calling; see related word kletos, and discussion of who are "the called") refers to an invitation as to a banquet, a summons to court, and was a call for attention in Greek. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular. With his natural mind, man cannot understand the things of God. Because of the glorious grace (v. 6) of the glorious Father (v. 17), He will receive His glorious inheritance (v. 18). 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!) The heart was the seat of understanding. (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". Freedom, You have given us freedom But you cant understand this manual by mere human insight or wisdom. It grows even taller when he prays that we would know the glory of Gods inheritance in the saints. The Christian needs supernatural power, and God would have us see how great is His power to accomplish His purposes in us. It is only as God's Spirit illuminates our mind that we actually can truly know the spiritual truth He wants us to know. He bought the world to get you. What does this "working of the strength of His might" look like? And so they liken them to fruit and branch and root; but we need simply say that the gathering together of words so nearly co-extensive in their meaning is witness to the effort to condense the infinite within the bounds of human tongue, to speak the unspeakable; and that these reiterated expressions, like the blows of the billows that succeed one another on the beach, are hints of the force of the infinite ocean that lies behind 'According to the working of the strength of the might which He wrought in Christ' - the Resurrection, the Ascension, the session at the right hand of God, the rule over all creatures, and the exaltation above all things on earth or in the heavens - these are the facts which the Apostle brings before us as the pattern-works, the chefs-d'oeuvre of the power that is operating in all Christians. 2 Timothy (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). Our faith must grow. 1 Peter 1:5 says that we are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Jude 24-25 proclaims, Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. The fact that God exerted such mighty power to save us implies that His same mighty power will keep us. He makes supplication for the continued growth of the Ephesians in knowledge (Ephesians 1:1719a) and explains truth regarding the power and position of Christ, including the subjection of all things to Christ (verses 19b23). The eye on yours is dusty. He cleaned it and the problems disappeared. (see Ephesians MacArthur New Testament Commentary), Old fashioned Holy Ghost power is the need of the day. Paul previously prays that the Ephesians would understand the hope, or certainty, of their calling and future inheritance (Ephesians 1:18). No amount of worldly noise or manmade programming will make up for the sad lack of the Holy Spirit's presence. Eph 3:20+ Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us (speaking of the power of the Spirit that continually energizes us - see Php 2:13+, cp the prayer in Eph 3:16+!). 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. Eido/oida is a perception, a being aware of, an understanding, an intuitive knowledge which in the case of believers can only be given by the Holy Spirit. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! 5:2) and motivate you to godly living (1 John 3:3). 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. Whatever Thou dost get out of us, Thou must first put in. he prays that they may come to the full knowledge and possession thereof in Christ. (cf Ps 42:1, Mt 5:6+, 1Pe 2:2+). TECHNICAL Note that it is somewhat difficult to give a crisp, succinct definition of eido, so keep that caveat in mind as you read these notes. Perhaps he perceived a power shortage in the Ephesians saints! That yet I must not see; Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I suppose its all right to pray for that addition to a new Sunday School wing. Such is the case in Matthew 13. But there is a second reason why we need Gods power. Believe or not! Such a glorious hope inspires to holy living and to a hatred of all that is of this world. It is energetic power, energy put forth or energy put in operation. There's good news and bad news if wealth is what you want. 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. The ESV also picks up the perfecttense rendering it "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened," which also describes a past completed action. TECHNICAL NOTE - Note that the KJV translated from the Greek Textus Receptus (the NASB, ESV, et al are from the Nestle-Aland Greek) does not have "heart" (kardia) but has the word "understanding" which in the is the noun dianoia an old word for the faculty of understanding. But then we cant figure out why this stupid product doesnt work right! All Christians have the same hope. Even the ancients considered the heart to be the very center of a person -- the center of knowledge, understanding, thinking, wisdom. 3:24; 4:37; 8:17f; 9:26, 29; 26:8; 32:13; 33:11, 25, 27; Jos. THESE ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORKING OF THE STRENGTH OF HIS MIGHT: kata ten energeian tou kratous tes ischuos autou: INDESCRIBABLY TRANSCENDENT Kleronomia has the richer associations in the context of salvation history. This power is active, dynamic, and compellingand it is mightily at work on your behalf. Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. I think the needle is broken, I told him. So the kindred adjective . 1 Samuel Zina21 March 3, 2023, 9:29pm 10. Incorruptible! WithoutGodspower, these things would not be possible (seeLuke 18:2627). 31:3; Ezek. Kneeling in the back seat, Fuller gave his life to Christ in prayer. 15.110; Sib. The average ministry is fueled by the flesh. But I do more than thank. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Wuest renders it "and what is the superabounding greatness of His inherent power to us who are believing ones as measured by the operative energy of the manifested strength of His might." Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. In other words, we are Gods possession, purchased by the blood of Christ. 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). He teaches you to recognize and uphold what is excellent so that you will be sincere and blameless before God (Phil. 3:17 = so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; Eph. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? Joel Thats why Paul prayed that God Himself would enlighten the hearts of the Ephesian believers (Eph. When He ascended, we ascended. For we saw (eido) His star in the east, and have come to worship Him." 1:4; 2:37; 3:4, 20; 4:1, 13f, 21ff, 30f; 5:7; 7:7; 8:6f, 22, 24; 10:8, 16f; 11:1, 6f, 10, 15, 17, 19, 25, 34; Hos. 4:13), I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. He meant that he was able to face and accomplish whatever God called him to do (see also, Eph. Sublimal Messages Don't Work - Americans spend $50 million a year on subliminal message tapes designed to help them do everything from improve their self-image to stop smoking. You have given us freedom (You set us free), I have resurrection power living on the inside (You set us free) It goes out to all sinners, but not all who hear it respond in faith. Hes not interested in the world. 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. The difference that obtains between Christians is not one of grace, but of the use we make of grace. Commentary on Ephesians 1:15-23. But with God this shall never be. The field is the world. ", It is power. He, she, it, they, them, same. "Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him." 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). 26:64), and so in classical Greek used to denote the magistrates or authorities. 1:18) (ED: I WOULD SAY THIS IS ALSO THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT). Bend the whole energy of your powers to realize your election as a child of God; rise to the occasion every time. Jon Courson - Throughout Scripture, the word hope always refers to that which is coming, to that which is ahead. (Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing CompanyVolume 1,Volume 2,Volume 3- usedby permission), William Barclay says that dunamis "is the word from which dynamite comes. God is patient with His children, working with us until we see things aright. Key in on verse 16 this morning- "in addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.". 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). 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". And then look at our Lord now at the right hand of the Father on high. Ischus is used as an attribute of God in the Revelation saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power (dunamis) and riches and wisdom and might (ischus) and honor and glory and blessing." They have laid all God's revealed character under contribution. 1:6, 14; Ezek. Greek: pephotismenous (RPPMPA) tous ophthalmous tes kardias [humon] eis to eidenai (RAN) humas tis estin (PAI) e elpis tes kleseos autou, tis o ploutos tes doxes tes kleronomias autou en tois hagiois. Isnt that magnificent? God never gives niggardly to His children but according to the (infinite) riches of His grace! 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. Only when we know who we really are can we live like who we are. Some commentators see His inheritance as a reference to believers, who are Gods inheritance or special possession (Eph 1:14). Such enlightenment is crucial because how you perceive your spiritual resources dictates how you live. The text doesnt indicate that we personally have the power to raise the dead or perform other miracles. (Back to the Bible), Choose Book of Bible to Study But we must see to it that we keep nothing back. Paul describes people who do not know Christ (Eph. Rader said that without Christ people are in a moral and spiritual cave, blinded, darkened, and unaware of the glories God has in store for them. 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. God demands that we obstinately oppose Satan, as those Romans untiringly harried Hannibal. 5:13): shall not be able (Lk13:24): I can do all things (Phil4:13): availeth much (Jas. If then you would know why it is that some of God's children live lives so much fuller and richer than others, you must seek it in the differences of their appropriation of God. It sounds vague and theoretical. The inner man, the heart, has spiritual faculties that parallel the physical senses. The power that God has made available to the believer is according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come (Eph 1:19-21). From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. Paul saw fit to teach simple believers, many of whom were slaves, the great doctrines of Romans and Ephesians and his other letters. 10:32; Rev. When a person is aware of that call and surrenders to it, he or she starts living out Gods purpose for him or her (seeJeremiah 1:45;Isaiah 49:1;Galatians 1:15). As we step into the lifts which are attached to so many factories and offices, and expect them to bear us upward, never doubting for a moment that they will do it if only we keep in the line of their ascent; so, if we would keep in abiding fellowship with the Holy Spirit--i.e., if we would not wilfully step out of the range of his blessed help--we should find ourselves mounting with wings as eagles, and going from strength to strength. Eido/oida is not so much that which is known by experience as an intuitive insight that is drilled into one's heart. That's a good description of the way God gives His riches to us. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. (Ephesians 5:18+) The filling of the Holy Spirit will result in power for service with souls being won to Christ and Christians growing in grace and knowledge. 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). 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). When we are saved we receive all of Gods grace and all of His power, and that assures us of the realization of our eternal hope. THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Languagecopyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. 2 Peter Ephesians 1:18 Context. When He placed his cross against the wall, and scaled our ramparts, planting on our strongholds the blood-red flag of his omnipotent mercy? 1:10). Ephesians 6:10 (note) Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Many Christians have a stick your head in the sand attitude when it comes to grappling with the difficult doctrines of the Bible. There is a superabundance of machinery; what is wanting is power. Copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. And remember that this "spiritual journey" is not an "arrival" in this life but is a life long journey (sanctification), albeit it is a journey which is "motivated" by the hope (guaranteed assurance 1Jn 3:2+) of our final arrival one day in the future in twinkling of an eye (glorification - 1Cor 15:52+). Your Holy Spirit lives in me Hoeher comments that "Having mentioned the surpassing greatness of Gods power, Paul is now going to show that it is literally according to the power of the power of his power. Paul lists a series of three words for power used to describe the standard of the surpassing greatness of Gods power." This earnest prayer reveals the infinite importance of knowledge as a foundation for walking worthy in this Christian life. When you begin to understand what is the hope of His calling in your life, the assurance and certainty associated with that calling and when you begin to realize that now we only have the earnest of that calling, but that one day well have the full payment, then whatever comes your way you can stand fast on the truth of what God has accomplished for you in Christ in the past, present and future. It sounds like religious hype. (John 8:55). Because He wants to hang out on the Columbia River? LXX translates with apokalupto from ap = from + kalpto = cover, conceal which means literally to uncover and so to remove the veil or covering exposing to open view what was before hidden. What we can get from God rather than what we can be to God is our continued concern. Haggai From the grave of mortality to the throne of the eternal God, who only has immortality; from the darkness of the tomb to the insufferable light; from this small world to the centre and metropolis of the universe.