Paul wrote, I am compelled to preach. But heaven seems so far away, you say. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Its in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home freesigned, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. The same divine power that created, sustains, and controls the universe secures your salvation. Here we see a prayer Paul offered with the intention of strengthening Christs church. (Risen: 50 Reasons Why the Resurrection Changed Everything), The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling. He will bring fruit out of thy rockiest nature, as the Norwegians raise crops on every scrap of soil on their mountain slopes. Augustine therefore said truly, "Give what Thou commandest, and then command what Thou wilt.". We have the case of Elisha when the Syrian army was sent to Dothan to take him captive. (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith), John MacArthur- UNDERSTANDING YOUR CALLING. 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. Are you confused now? Kleronomia is the portion or heritage which one receives by virtue of birth or by special gift from someone who has died (Lk 12:13). We have been called by grace, to glory. The Lord, however, says, Not so fast. Ischus therefore conveys the sense of endowed power or ability. One day our Lord will come again, and we shall all be changed to see Him as He is and to be like Him. Christ has already won the victory over sin, death, the world, and Satan. How does this apply? But in Hebrew and Greek thinking, the heart was considered the seat of knowledge, thinking, and understanding. Romans And because the height of this mystery cannot be easily attained unto. Ezra This is amazing grace indeed! Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. It is kept for us, and we are kept for it. The average ministry is fueled by the flesh. Hosea Acts Too many Christians are going hither and yon looking for more blessings, more secrets of how to live a victorious Christian life, etc. After the service, he drove to nearby Hollywood and stopped his car in the shade of a eucalyptus tree in Franklin Park. Eph 3:7+ of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of Gods grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 1 Peter F B Meyer writes about THE SAINTS' INHERITANCE IN GOD (Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 5:5). His power delivered over 6 million people save through the Red Sea, while at the same time destroying the entire army of Egypt, the greatest army in the world at that time! Titus But His riches are not in the universes that He possesses, nor in the substance of the earth that is His, but in the saints that He purchased at infinite cost, namely, the precious blood of His only begotten Son (I Pet. When we know them in the head and not the heart, we are simply "smarter sinners" but when we know them in our heart, we will become more like our Savior. The inscription is in Eph 1:1, in which the author of the epistle puts his name, declares his office, and how he came into it; and describes the persons to whom he wrote it, by their religious characters, and the place of their abode. Sometimes familiarly with the glorious superlatives of our heavenly calling, and the eternal hope of glory that is set before us, causes our eyes to become dimmed and our hearts to become complacent. In my opinion, you cant separate the two, because when your eyes are enlightened to know objectively all that God has promised to give you in Christ, it fills you with hope subjectively in your heart. Part of that prayer is, I pray that . First is dunamis (power), from which we get dynamite and dynamo. He will fully gain His inheritance when the saints are removed from this earth and come into his presence. 1:6; Rev. The young man then begins to study that nation and enrolls in a missions-focused school. Im convinced the single greatest problem carnal Christians have is that they dont know the hope of His calling. 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). Start for FREE. God exercised this power in two ways. It is reserved in heaven for you. But their willingness to persevere assured victory, for Hannibal could never conquer them. May God not find the whine in us any more, but may He find us full of spiritual pluck and athleticism, ready to face anything He brings. To summarize, Paul prayed that we would come to know God more intimatelyin order that we might know the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the saints. can ignite great endeavors. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary)(Bolding added), Lehman Strauss-The riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Here Paul prays that we might have a full appreciation of our worth to God. The Christian Church is precious to God. View (1) is probably the more valid interpretation although both views are taught in Scripture and the Greek text does allow for both interpretations. He has called us to perfection in the likeness of Jesus Christ (Rom. Saving faith is sufficient for trusting Christ and being saved, but such must grow into Sanctifying faith, Serving faith, Standing faith, and Suffering faith. From hagos; sacred. If Gods power toward us is so great, why do so many Christians fall into serious sin. 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)! The world gets in the way, sin does its dirty deed, and carnality and strife and bitterness can rule. I hold not its silver and gold; This is the same power God brought about in Christ. Remember what you are saved forthat the Son of God might be manifested in your mortal flesh. The invitation goes out to everyone: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. But many ignore the invitation or make up excuses for why they cannot respond. Did you see it? That is what Paul desires for them and for all believers. Right here is where the average Christian fails. 2:9f; 28:20, 22; 30:4; 2 Sam. THOUGHT - God grant all of Your children spiritual eyes to perceive and possess our possessions in Christ. One might think of ischus as God's latent power. But this is as impossible to our unaided energy, as for the swallow to follow the majestic flight of the golden eagle, soaring sunward. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. 1 Clem. But there is also the effectual call that always accomplishes Gods purpose of saving His chosen people. No longer bound by sin and darkness (You set us free) Therefore, not only do we have an inheritance (Eph 1:14) but He also has an inheritance (Eph 1:18). (Ibid). his incomparably great power for us who believe. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name (1 Chron. To find assurance, one must look to the covenant-keeping God and Scripture. (Ephesians Through Revelation). All of this is for Gods glory (Ephesians 1:6,12,14). In this chapter are contained the inscription of the epistle, the salutation of the persons to whom it is written, the apostle's thanksgiving for blessings received by him, and them; in which the efficient, moving, procuring, and final causes of salvation are taken notice of, and the several parts and branches of it observed; and the whole is concluded with prayers for the Ephesians; in which mention is made of various things to the comfort of the saints, and to the glory of Christ. 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. 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. I have total trust in You. As you face this new day, do so with the confidence that you are one of Gods elect. See discussion of the value of pausing to ponder this term of purpose or result . And given the fact that the truth of "in Christ" is transcendent, we should always pray this prayer for ourselves and others (remember that Eph 1:16 "making mention" is present tense= continuously) and of course the only way we can possibly "pray without ceasing" (1Th 5:17+) is by the Spirit's enabling power. He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. Illustration - Brian Harbour - Back many years ago, a young boy accompanied his father and mother as they took the wagon into town for supplies. Second, this enlightenment comes to the heart of the believer (Eph. See the blood-mark upon all the chosen, invisible to human eye, but known to Christ, for "the Lord knoweth them that are his"; (2Ti 2:19) he forgetteth none of those whom he has redeemed from among men; he counts the sheep for whom he laid down his life (Jn 10:14-15), and remembers well the Church for which he gave himself. 8.247; Justin Martyr, Apology 1.61.12; Dial 39.2; 122.1; cf. 19:23; Cant. So even in the most difficult trials, we can be filled with hope (see Rom. SO THAT YOU WILL KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING: to eidenai (RAN) humas tis estin (PAI) e elpis tes kleseos autou: Romans 5:4-5 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. In Jerusalem, on the hill of Calvary, the Jewish and Roman leaders successfully killed Jesus Christ, the Messiah (John 19:30). As He bought, so let Him possess, everything. 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. So that you will know what is the hope of His calling- The purpose was that might be supernaturally enabled to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that their calling (their salvation that had occurred in the past) gave them ahope sure not a hope so. Warren Wiersbe (Be Rich [Victor Books], pp. The surpassing-all-limit power of God can be limited in its working only by the believer's failure to believe. What we can get from God rather than what we can be to God is our continued concern. -- when His heart shall be fully satisfied in His inheritance, for His glory shall be perfectly manifested in the saints. Thats too tedious, and besides, we think that were smart enough to figure this out without reading the directions. Read the Bible, discover plans, and seek God every day. 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!) If we want to know what the Divine Power can make of us, let us turn to look with the eye of faith upon what it has made of Jesus Christ. Thus as Christians, we should be filled with hope because we know that God has called us to salvation. "Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. " (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith). 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). Jeremiah No amount of worldly noise or manmade programming will make up for the sad lack of the Holy Spirit's presence. Amen. Miss K had always taught her students to have confidence in their abilities. spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." We might expect Paul to pray for enlightened minds rather than hearts, but thats because we associate the word heart with emotions rather than with thought. 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. According to Jeremiah 9:2324. Note that huperballo is in the present tense indicating that this power is power which continually surpassing or excels all other power! Paul says that hope ultimately is a person "Christ Jesusour hope" (1Timothy 1:1, cp Col 1:27+). 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. money, possessions, or abundance, richness, valuable bestowment. Software Full Name: Adobe Premiere Pro 2023. 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. -- Maclaren, Alexander Maclaren - It is 'exceeding.' Comment: Here they would see and they would know beyond a shadow of a doubt about Jesus' authority. This power is only for Christians, for those who believe. Esther Or. In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul is praying that God would give the saints a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the true knowledge of Him. But if a man died before he could tell someone where his treasure was buried, it would be left in the field until someone stumbled upon it. Exodus Scripture speaks of two kinds of callings: the gospel or general call, and the effectual or specific call. You might not see yourself as a spiritual leader, but you are important to those who look to you as an example of Christian character. You have given us freedom, my chains are gone Reprinted by permission. Are you praying the promises of God for yourself and your family and the body of Christ? Joshua 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. You have given us freedom, hallelujah. God's power is made available to us by His indwelling presence. 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.". Thus chosen, purchased, and subdued, the rights of our divine possessor are inalienable: we rejoice that we never can be our own; and we desire, day by day, to do his will, and to show forth his glory. Certainly, there is always the danger of spiritual pride that comes from thinking that you know more than others know. He will win for Himself a great name, as He turns thy desert places into gardens, and makes thy wildernesses blossom as the rose. 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. In His devotional on Dt 32:9 Spurgeon asks "How are they his? Ischus is used of angelic power in 2 Peter whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. But, Paul adds, the surpassing greatness of His power, and then goes on to say (1:19b-21) that this power is in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Wow! Might (2479) (ischus) (see note by Wayne Barber ischus) refers to power as an enduement. Ischus is the inherent ability which stresses the factuality of the ability, not necessarily the accomplishment. 46) he admonished them to employ that power in faithful living for their Lord. 19:25; 47:6; 63:17; Jer. The Message (MSG). Because God's resurrection power continues to work in us, it helps us (ED: MORE ACCURATELY IT ENABLES US! It is according to the working (energeian, energetic power, from which comes the Eng. 8:3839)! Rather, as Paul will go on to say, we were dead in our sins, but God raised us up. The answer, according to one of the apostle Pauls prayers, is found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Look at our Lords body in the tomb. Salem Media Group. The analogy that we have quoted, however, fails us utterly in its final working out. (Joshua 1:3+) In short, we need to lay hold of the power that resides within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. ESV having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. In none of these prayers does Paul request material things. Some take it to mean, the riches of the glory of the inheritance that comes from God and is enjoyed among the saints. In other words, they take it to be a prayer that we would come to know all of the spiritual blessings that God has given to us. Jon Courson- That ye may know what is the hope of his calling Ephesians 1:18. of Luke In summary, because we are in Christ and He is in us, believers possess resurrection (and ascension) power, and Paul's prayer is for the Spirit to shine the light on this incredible, difficult to comprehend truth that we might know it beyond a "shadow of a doubt" and live in the light of this truth. I make the best my goal; WHAT ARE THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS: tis o ploutos tes doxes tes kleronomias autou en tois hagiois: There are two ways to interpret "the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (1) The saints are His inheritance He considers a treasure of incomparable worth! We need not pray for power to evangelize, to witness the gospel to others. Comment: In light of this incredible truth, walk in a manner worthy of your high calling (Eph 4:1), in a manner that gives [glory or] a proper opinion to others of your Owner! Lord, where are You? you cry. Never apologize for your inner eyes! Morning and Evening, Spurgeon - In the resurrection of Christ, as in our salvation, there was put forth nothing short of a divine power. 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). It speaks of a clarity of mind or understanding by which one is able to see things intelligibly and clearly and proceed accordingly. It sounds like religious hype. Ephesians chapter 6:10-6:18. Now I have resurrection power living on the inside Ephesians 1:18-19 In-Context 16 I couldn't stop thanking God for you - every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. Ask Him to impress on your heart the blessings and responsibilities of your calling. If we do walk in the Spirit we will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Because He wants to hang out on the Columbia River? Revival comes when, no longer satisfied to know about a God in history, we meet the conditions of finding Him in living, personal experience. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary). Nu. 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. I have riches of value untold. 13:3; Ezra 9:8; Barn. No sooner has the emigrant reached his estate, than he commences to prospect it. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) It is available. 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). get to know the Bible better! Although dynamite is derived from this word, there is no suggestion here or anywhere in the Bible that Gods power is instantaneous or explosive. Gods mighty power has granted us all that we need for life and godliness, so that we can escape the corruption that is in the world by lust (2 Pet. 4:4, 6). Thus we know that He will fulfill all of His promises to us. (THE MEASURE OF IMMEASURABLE POWER), Surpassing (5235) (huperballo from hupr = above + bllo = cast) literally means to throw beyond the usual mark and figuratively means to excel or surpass. (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. In our struggle with everything that sets itself against the knowledge of God, we have some incredible resources. 34:8; 1Pe 2:3), smell (Phil. We have been called by grace, to glory. God glories in his saints. Believers already have that power. He wishes them to have eternal life in Christ [John 20:31] and to know that they have it.". Our salvation from start to finish is due to the surpassing greatness of His power! 8:28)! You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. But there is a second reason why we need Gods power. In Ephesians 1:3-14 Paul had just summed up what their calling involved. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy. Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17, Psalms 121:3, Philippians 4:19, James 1:17, Ephesians 1:3, Revelation 21:9, Romans 8:21-26, . . For years, Ive been hearing Jesus could come at any time. Hannibal invaded Italy in the second of three Punic Wars that determined the fate of Rome and Carthage. 17:6; Ezek. Virtually all the authorities agree that "heart" is the correct translation. Oswald Chambers -The habit of rising to the occasion. Pray Ephesians 1:17-19 (and other Pauline prayers). Usually ischus denotes power, might, strength, ability. Ancient understanding is often linked to other kinds of power or authority (e.g., dunamis, exousia; cf. What does the Bible say about how much power Christians possess? This is simply remarkable! Our society has been enamored with the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, especially since the influx of Eastern thought into the West during the 1960s. The Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked! synkleronomos is a fellow heir, and kleronomeo means be an heir, inherit. 6:16; Heb. 1:3-4). Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. He wants them to fully grasp the nature of all three aspects of their salvation. Maybe youre saying, Is that ever true! 3:1. But it is mind-boggling when he prays that we will know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints! 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. (Believer's Bible Commentary). We shall conquer him eventually, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. A blessing found at Qumran reads, May He illuminate your heart with the discernment of life and grace you with eternal knowledge (1QS 2:3; cf. The owner put his hand into the jar, grabbed a handful of candy and handed it to the boy. Dunamis is the root from which we derive the English word dynamic, (synonyms = energetic, functioning, live, operative, working) which describes that which is marked by usually continuous and productive activity or change. And what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. properly transcendent and immeasurable, and passes thought and desire and knowledge. to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called". But Jesus came to buy the world back. 2:4): strength of sin (1 Cor. Ischus is used of the ability of human beings in Mark AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' (cf 2Co 6:11-13+)(Ephesians Commentary). Each soul has the whole of God. | GotQuestions.org, What does God mean when He says, Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)? In later Christianity this enlightening was equated with baptism (cf. But glance first at Ephesians 1:17-18. But, also. 21:23; Rev. (Mark 12.30+). Not with corruptible things, as with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (1Pe 1:18-19), the Lord's portion has been fully redeemed. Some of the fairest hopes that ever blessed human vision; the most delightful friendships; the most perfect dreams of delight, have faded and withered before our eyes. We want to get out of the trial, solve the problem, move on. The discoveries youll make, the understanding you will glean, the gifts of praise, the expression of even frustrated prayer will affect you for the next zillion years. If youre not happy at this moment, neither will you be with a change of location, salary, or ministry. Prior to start Adobe Premiere Pro 2023 Free Download, ensure the availability of the below listed system specifications. If the Christian message is true, the world is on the way not to dissolution but to consummation. Is not this the secret of any grace or wealth there is in Christian lives? Start for FREE. This earnest prayer reveals the infinite importance of knowledge as a foundation for walking worthy in this Christian life. 4:7). Jesus was not teaching us that a little faith could accomplish great things. So there is great glory to God in the conversion of every sinner. It is interesting to note that photizo (enlightened) was used by the pagan Mystery religions as a technical term for the rite of initiation into their inner secrets! That we might sense and experience the working of His incomparably great power for us who believe (Ep 1:19a). The grassland yields pasture to the cattle; and there is not a square inch of the enclosed territory that does not minister to the needs of the new proprietor. 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! 2:89), and we live by grace, through faith (1Cor. Together we can help each other achieve great things for Him. Seated with Him. I, Paul, am under Gods plan as an apostle, a special agent of Christ Jesus, writing to you faithful believers in Ephesus. Power for You-Today!