Isnt that something? All of these pieces of armor must be put on with prayer (v.18). But the antidote to these dangers is not to remain ignorant. 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. It is energetic power, energy put forth or energy put in operation. It conveys the idea of effective, productive energy, rather than that which is raw and unbridled. Amen. Then he adds (Calvins Commentaries [Baker reprint], on Eph. It can be used of any kind of extraordinary power. (Lehman Strauss Commentary Devotional Studies on Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians- online), THOUGHT -May our great, grace filled Father grant each of us His grace to ponder this incredible truth so that it might motivate us, enabledby HisSpirit, to walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called in Christ. 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. Calling here refers to Gods effectual callingthe calling that redeems the soul. God never has museums. Ive been talking to You. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened- Physical eyes (or ears) cannot see (hear) these deeper truths. 1:5). There is the danger of stopping at knowing doctrine, rather than allowing the doctrines to give you greater personal knowledge of the God of whom the doctrines speak. Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; Romans 5:4,5 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: . Ephesians 1:18 I. 4:13). Ephesians 1 | MSG Bible | YouVersion But where is He?. Paul is still praying for them to "know" (a Spirit enabled, beyond a shadow of a doubt knowing) about their hope, the inheritance and the power. 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, Call or calling is used with reference to salvation in two senses. The former is given by knowledge as well as by madness or rage; but strength comes from nature and a healthy state of the body. to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called". Are you confused now? It does not matter how it hurts as long as it gives God the chance to manifest Himself in your mortal flesh. And the measure of the power that is to us what who believe is that mighty power which entered into Jesus Christ and resurrected him from the dead. I just love Jesus. Some even think that studying theology is spiritually dangerous. Kratos is exercised strength whereas ischus refers to great inherent strength. We have His "seal" on us, and more accurately within us in the presence of His Holy Spirit. After this time, Jesus rose from the dead, the miracle of miracles. The church is Christs body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. (Eph 4:1+). After salvation, we are further called to grow in Christian virtue and serve God by good works; in fact, it is this maturation process that confirms our calling by God (2 Peter 1:510). Sunday I went up to Los Angeles and heard Paul Rader preach. I see the old has passed away 29:1113). You have given us freedom, Freedom, You have given us freedom 7:24; 19:11f, 14; 24:21, 25; 26:11; 27:12; 30:6, 15, 18, 21; 31:18; 32:12, 16, 18, 20, 26, 29ff; 33:28; 34:27; Dan. It shows that the believers are valuable to God because he purchased them in order to inherit them. Wiersbe - In the prison prayers of Paul (Eph. In His devotional on Dt 32:9 Spurgeon asks "How are they his? Be diligent to pray and spend time in the Word so that your spiritual progress will be evident to all (1 Tim. May we learn daily to surrender to the Spirit of Christ, Who energizes our walk, elevating it from a "natural" to a "supernatural" walk. dunamis) refers to a spiritually dynamic living force. (NLT - Tyndale House), Phillips: that you may receive that inner illumination of the spirit which will make you realise how great is the hope to which He is calling you - the magnificence and splendour of the inheritance promised to Christians - (Phillips: Touchstone), Wuest: the eyes of your heart being in an enlightened state with a view to your knowing what is the hope of His calling, what is the wealth of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,(Eerdmans Publishing- usedby permission), Young's Literal: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, for your knowing what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. They don't deliver the life-transforming power they promise. We shall conquer him eventually, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. (Ephesians- Life In The Heights), THOUGHT - Remember that believers are called to be imitators of Jesus (1Cor 11:1+, cf 1Jn 2:6+, 1Pe 2:21+) and in that light we need to recall that during Jesus' earthly ministry, He lived out His life in the power of the Holy Spirit. 1:19). Take every opportunity in this long, long day youre in to thank the Father for the opportunity to store up treasure which will make you rich for eternity. Is keeping it for me. The Greek text may be interpreted in either of two ways. Not only that, but it is all the power we are ever offered or could ever have. Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. (2Pe 1:2-4-notes 2Peter 1:2; 1:3; 1:4). He speaks of the 'love of Christ which passeth knowledge,' and of God being 'able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.' The fault is with themselves. Power for You-Today! Still, with the stillness of death. As the story goes Crowfoot, the chief of the Blackfoot nation in southern Alberta, gave the Canadian Pacific Railway permission to lay track from Medicine Hat to Calgary, he was given in exchange a lifetime railroad pass. He will win for Himself a great name, as He turns thy desert places into gardens, and makes thy wildernesses blossom as the rose. 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. The gospel call is given by men and is a universal call to repent and trust Christ for salvation (see, e.g., Matt. I hold fast to the opinion that our God is ever trying to reveal Himself to us. As soon as thou didst open thine eyes to behold the crucified Lord, thou didst all unconsciously become heir to the lengths and breadths, and depths, and heights of God! by Theodore Epp - Ephesians 1: 19-23 The Scriptures frequently refer to God's power as it relates to the believer. Thus, His possession is located in the saints. Thank You, Father, in Jesus' name, AMEN. Not "I hope so" but strong confidence that God is going to do good to us in future. We may not be able to conquer Satan all at once, but he cannot conquer us at all. Dr. Hammond thinks it was written about the year 58, and Dr. Lightfoot places it in 59, and the fifth year of Nero. 391-422) argues at length that Paul is referring here to the power of God in raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life when He saved us. 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!). I PRAY THAT THE EYES OF YOUR HEART MAY BE ENLIGHTENED: pephotismenous (RPPMPA) tous ophthalmous tes kardias [humon] : Psalms 119:18+ Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. 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. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! The gold and the silver and all the universes are His. For example, Jesus said that evil thoughts come out of the heart (Matt. God is patient with His children, working with us until we see things aright. Compatibility Mechanical: 64 Bit (x64) 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. Ephesians 1 - MSG - Christianity Living in the light of Your goodness Zondervan, Click to read more about your inheritance in Spurgeon's Sermon A Wise Desire, A Day's Journey: 365 Daily Meditations from the Word, Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith, Risen: 50 Reasons Why the Resurrection Changed Everything, Mornings with Tozer: Daily Devotional Readings, Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. . Do you have the power of God in your life? The Christian Church is precious to God. Are you working it out with your tongue, and your brain and your nerves? As saints, were Gods inheritance, His treasure, His prize! 26:64), and so in classical Greek used to denote the magistrates or authorities. Judges 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. All rights reserved. What does the Bible say about how much power Christians possess? A day is as a thousand years. Understanding that you have already received grace upon grace (John 1:16), abundant life (John 10:10), and everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) gives you confidence that Gods future grace and resources will be more than sufficient (2 Cor. Why? He purchased it and paid for it with the blood of His Son. 8:3839)! 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. THOUGHT - Is my life a living epistle, a vibrant testimony to God's supernatural power? In the NT klesis is used metaphorically of an invitation to enter the kingdom of God by grace through faith. 12:29): a mighty famine (Lk15:14): his letters are powerful (2 Cor. Well, if you're in Christ, and Christ is at the right hand of God, where are you? 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. From this Verse - Robert Morgan -The Boxer and the Businessman (From This Verse). How does this apply? These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might- Paul piles one word upon another in this incredible description. They are not only his by choice, but by purchase. I cannot understand how this can be, but I know that God has an inheritance even in me. 5 Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. The emphasis is not on that which is little, but rather that which starts out small and grows into something bigger and stronger. 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? 2:20). If we do walk in the Spirit we will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 18:1; 22:15; 29:4, 11; 31:10; 33:16; 38:10; 39:10; 61:2; 65:6; 71:9; 78:61; 102:23; 103:20; 111:6; 118:14; 147:5; Prov. Then ask God to restore to you the joy of your salvation. (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith), Charles Stanley -LIFTING OUR LEVEL OF PRAYER, SCRIPTURE READING: EPHESIANS 1:1823 KEY VERSE: EPHESIANS 1:18. It is power which is able to overcome resistance. The Holy Spirit reveals truth to us from the Word, and then gives us the wisdom to understand and apply it. The average ministry is fueled by the flesh. 1:6; Rev. THOUGHT - Believers in Christ are privileged to worship the Truth personified and consummated in Christ Jesus! It was everlasting power. But a day is coming -- oh! 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. (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". 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! This is simply remarkable! Paul confidently added that nothing therefore can separate you from Gods love (Rom. I have a heritage of joy, Obadiah Mighty strength in our inner being, "through His Spirit" (Ephesians 3:16-note). Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! 2:4): strength of sin (1 Cor. Therefore, has the meaning of strength, might, dominion, mastery.(Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Kratos - 12v -Lk. Mark (John 8:55). --M R De Haan II (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. 6:4; Heb. 31:3; Ezek. Genesis What kind of riches are you looking for? The salutation is in Eph 1:2, which is common to all his epistles: and in Eph 1:3, is the thanksgiving to God, as the God and Father of Christ, for spiritual blessings in Christ in general; and then he proceeds to particulars, and begins with election, which is represented as an act of God the Father, as of particular persons, as done in Christ, and from the foundation of the world, the end of which is perfect holiness and love, Eph 1:4, and which is further illustrated under the name of predestination; the blessing which that is an appointment to, is the adoption of children; the moving cause of it, is the good pleasure of the divine will; the instrumental cause, or means, is Christ Jesus; the end with God is for himself, Eph 1:5, and which, in the next verse, is explained of the glory of his grace; to which grace, acceptance with him in Christ is owing; and which is another spiritual blessing, or a branch of election and predestination, Eph 1:6. 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. As you pray and study Gods Word, He transforms and renews your mind (Rom. He finally disembarked his troops from a lack of support at home. Consequently, they constantly strive for material things and are continually caught up in carnal pursuits. COMMENT - Note how Paul associates our New Creation in Christ (2Co 5:17+) with the creation of the heavens and the earth. He does everything he can to buy the field in which the treasure is buried. Now we are drowning in a sea of false religions and New Age philosophies. Bend the whole energy of your powers to realize your election as a child of God; rise to the occasion every time. Jesus said thats the way the Kingdom is. 3:20). You have given us freedom, hallelujah. 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. Copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the security of your salvation. Ephesians 1:18 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org Imagine a couple of demons speaking. Gods specific call to service usually begins with a burden for a particular need that relates to the kingdom of God. Such enlightenment is crucial because how you perceive your spiritual resources dictates how you live. For less than $5/mo. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. They sigh at the foot of cliffs they cannot scale. Eido/oida is not so much that which is known by experience as an intuitive insight that is drilled into one's heart. 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. That which is dynamic is characterized by energy or forces that produce motion, as opposed to that which is static. Salem Media Group. that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. The resurrection power of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8-note, cp Col 1:29-note, Eph 3:20-note). The Blame God Game - A 2 Part Message - sermoncentral.com I suppose its all right to pray for that addition to a new Sunday School wing. He cannot give more; He will not give less than Himself. He will put into thee the grace that thou shalt give back to Him in fruit. Joshua The psalmist understood that the supernatural Word of God was unlike any writing of man and thus pleaded with God to Open (Hebrew galah = Piel stem always denotes "to uncover" something which otherwise is normally concealed. 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. free! In 2Co 3:10 = "surpassing glory" and 2Co 9:14 = "surpassing grace." It is His capability to function effectively. 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. Leon Tucker wrote the following words back in 1917: "Power is the one thing the church of God needs most and has least. 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. Then again, Nick has become his father, killing a man with no consequences, no guilty conscience either. But I do more than thank. He will occupy and keep thee. It means to make known in reference to the inner life or transcendent matters and thus shed light upon. (See The Oneness of Covenant), Harold Hoehner -Paul then used three additional words to describe Gods power. Right here is where the average Christian fails. There is no mortgage on his estate; no suits can be raised by opposing claimants, the price was paid in open court (1Co 6:20, Rev 5:9), and the Church is the Lord's freehold for ever. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). Paul applies this truth that we are God's inheritance in his letter to the Corinthians writing Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? It is utterly impossible to put the fullness of divine reality in human language, to compress the infinite into what is finite. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. 1:19; Eph. God never gives niggardly to His children but according to the (infinite) riches of His grace! Miss K had always taught her students to have confidence in their abilities. The surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. 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? that it might be soon! It is the reserve of strength. In all those ways the Holy Spirit empowers Gods children. I knew his hand was bigger than mine." Although dynamite is derived from this word, there is no suggestion here or anywhere in the Bible that Gods power is instantaneous or explosive. Once on the mission field, he is willing to suffer hardships and separation from family and friends because the call of God is his greatest motivation. In them we see the possibilities of humanity, the ideal for man which God had when He created and breathed His blessing .upon him. 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. It is power to overcome what stands in the way. Rather, He is trying to appear to the eye of our soul through an inner consciousness. Setup Size: 8.9 GB. In hours of weakness they drew on God's power; in those of suffering, on his patience; in those of misunderstanding and hatred, on his vindication; in those of apparent defeat and despair, on the promises that gleam over the smoke of the battle, as the Cross before the gaze of Constantine; in death itself, on the life and immortality which find their home in the being of Jehovah. 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).