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So strong is the gravitation that holds us to earth, so dissipating our cares, so fickle our resolution, that nought but the Divine power and grace can lift us to the level of the Divine life. He thinks of us as His inheritance. Power for You-Today! Click for additional discussion on some of the aspects of the hope of this calling. (ESV Study Bible), Spurgeon - "See how high Christ is raised! (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). After all, what good is it to have wealth if you are too weak to use it? The inability to see and understand spiritual things is not the fault of the intelligence but of the heart. This sense comes out clearly in the New Testament in the use of the word and of its cognates. Ephesians 1:17-18 - MSG Bible - But I do more than thank. I ask - ask 1 Kings We must live as saints, Gods holy ones, separate from this evil world. Probably, ere long the whole will have been opened up to European civilization and commerce. -- Ears from Harvested Sheaves. Has God given this power to the believer according toEphesians 1:1920? All rights reserved. 1:4). The gnawing tooth of decay cannot injure it. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might- Paul piles one word upon another in this incredible description. The ultimate hope for Christians is to be with their Lord (Rom 5:45; 8:20, 2425; 12:12; 15:13; Gal 5:5; Col 1:5; Titus 1:2) and they eagerly wait for his coming, unlike the heathen who have no hope (Eph 2:12; 1 Thess 4:1318; 5:8; Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:3). Setup Type: Offline Installer / Full Standalone Setup. | GotQuestions.org, How much power does Satan possess? Blessing upon blessings! How could they have more than what they had? This may be the reason Paul spends more time on this area. 3:21; Col. 2:12; 2 Thess. The way to combat these forces is to stand in Gods mighty power (v.10)that is, resurrection power. No longer bound by sin and darkness (You set us free) It is the power of God that made this possible. When he began to share his wealth with others in great philanthropic endeavors, his health improved considerably and he lived to be an old man Gods power enables us to use Gods wealth. It will be too depressing, we say to ourselves. . The KJV has a unique and memorable way of translating this verse And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power", Paxson - God would then tell us that in this wonder-working power is all that is needed for the commencement, continuance and consummation of our salvation: that it is all-sufficient for every demand made upon the saint in appropriating his wealth, in walking worthily of his high calling, and in wrestling victoriously against Satanic powers. Salem Media Group. Is not this the secret of any grace or wealth there is in Christian lives? 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. One argument against taking it this way is that it becomes almost a repetition of the first part of the prayer, to know the hope of His calling. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. But Jesus came to buy the world back. Paul usessaints nine times - Ep 1:1+, Eph 1:15+, Eph 1:18+; Eph 2:19+;; Eph 3:8+, Eph 3:18+; Eph 4:12+; Eph 5:3+; Eph 6:18+. They don't deliver the life-transforming power they promise. The shadows of secrecy or reserve on either side will blight a friendship in which all the conditions seem perfectly adjusted. Im convinced the single greatest problem carnal Christians have is that they dont know the hope of His calling. Obadiah Titus O child of God, thy estate has been procured at the cost of blood and tears; but thou didst not buy it! Paul asks that the blessing imparted by God the Father ( Eph 1:3 ) to the Ephesians will be strengthened in them through the message of the gospel ( Eph 1:13 , 17 - 19 ). They remain in bondage, depressed, and discouraged because they dont see the big picture of eternity. Now I have resurrection power living on the inside (Eph 4:1+). THOUGHT -Is your heart tender to the Word of God? Comment: The firm assurance or hope that believers have in this life is the return of Jesus Christ in glory to take them home into His presence and give them glorified bodies like His. (1Pe 1:5-note) The idea is that we are being brought through an enemys country under a strong escortas (escort = a person or group of persons accompanying another to give protection ) the women and children from Lucknow, between the double line of English soldiers, till they were safe from the onset of the Sepoys. Cold, with the coldness of death. It takes far more faith to encounter and endure the battles of the Christian life than it did to trust Christ and be born again. One day our Lord will come again, and we shall all be changed to see Him as He is and to be like Him. And then look at our Lord now at the right hand of the Father on high. This day is as a thousand years because in your day of difficulty and dilemma, pressure and pain, sadness and sorrow, you have the unique opportunity to share the fellowship of the Lords suffering and to pray for others in a way you never would have been able to otherwise. Ephesians 1:7,11 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; , Ephesians 3:8,16 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; . Nothing less than omnipotence can save a soul; and omnipotence at its very best in the glorification of Christ is none too great for the salvation of a sinner. Some are called to the political arena or to end human trafficking. What a transformation took place in Peters life between the end of the Gospels and the beginning of Acts. 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. Copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. It is grace that supplies the wealth, but it is faith that lays hold of the wealth (cp 2Cor 5:7-note). Lehman Strauss-Paul requests for the saints the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ that they might know three things:(1) The hope of His calling. God has called us, but to what purpose? In a figurative sense, kleronomia refers to God's promised salvation, gifts, and benefits as our inheritance (which is the use in Eph 5:5-note) and eternal possession for every believer. We are mean enough to wish to make all we can of God, and to give Him as little as possible of ourselves. By his own sovereign choice. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) 15:10-note). Paul referred to this when he told the Colossians that God's power "worketh in me mightily" (1:29). Suggestions for Prayer: Pray for greater spiritual enlightenment and a clearer understanding of your security in Christ. This is what Jesus meant when He said of the people: They seeing see not, and hearing they hear not (Mt 13:13). A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Reprinted by permission. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. NIV and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 6:23; 1 Ki. Paul is "struggling" to say what cannot be said. Setup File Name: Adobe_Premiere_Pro_v23.2..69.rar. money, possessions, or abundance, richness, valuable bestowment. From this Verse - Robert Morgan -The Boxer and the Businessman (From This Verse). The power of Christ applied in the believers behalf can't be defeated because the Creator's power exceeds that of the evil created beings, Satan and his minions. But 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. Ecclesiastes In favor of this view is the context of Ephesians 1 (verses 3, 11, & 14). Kleros may be used in the plural, but kleronomia is never so used. John D. Rockefeller was the worlds first billionaire. No spendthrift hand can scatter or over-spend its treasures. I dont blame you for feeling that way. To say it another way, Paul prayed that believers would know the hope, inheritance and power not in their head but in their hearts, the very essence of their being. Exodus 28:1). This is simply remarkable! In the four Gospels, we see Gods power at work in the ministry of Jesus Christ, but in the Book of Acts, we see that same power at work in ordinary men and women, members of the body of Christ. It is a free gift, and yet we have a right to it. Who by the power of God are guarded through faith. (The Immeasurable Greatness of His Power Toward Us). Second, this enlightenment comes to the heart of the believer (Eph. God demands that we obstinately oppose Satan, as those Romans untiringly harried Hannibal. She discusses her burden with her pastor and her spiritual mentor. God's incomparably great power helps us grow, change, love others. (Meyer, F B: Our Daily Homily). Ephesians 1:18-19 Commentary | Precept Austin Although Paul wrote his letter in Greek, he was steeped in the Hebrew Biblethat is, the Old Testament. A strong man (Mt. The literal rendering is "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened." Or if you are so afraid of robbers that you cannot really enjoy it? It tells us all we need to know to walk with God and live wisely in light of eternity. 18:1; Rev. With that thought in mind a more accurate rendering is that of Wuest who has "the eyes of your heart being in an enlightened state with a view to your knowing what is the hope of His calling." This inheritance will be fully realized in the future. (Bible Knowledge Background Commentary). And I see my past has been redeemed The Greek text may be interpreted in either of two ways. Play Chris Tomlin's Resurrection Power. When this heaven and earth shall have passed away and a new heaven and earth shall have come, God's child, the redeemed sinner made a saint in Christ, shall abide forever. 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). But what a high and lofty ideal the apostle sets forth. The idea is that it is the active efficacy of the might that is inherent in God, His indwelling strength. John MacArthur makes the excellent, Biblically logical point that "Until we comprehend who we truly are in Jesus Christ, it is impossible to live an obedient and fulfilling life. Just as His calling (Eph 1:18) issued from Him and was received by believers, so His inheritance issues from Him. On the other hand Alexander Maclaren asks Is that heaping together of synonyms or all but synonyms, mere tautology? All of these pieces of armor must be put on with prayer (v.18). These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might (NASB: Lockman), Greek: kai ti to huperballon (PAPNSN) megethos tes dunameos autou eis hemas tous pisteuontas (PAPMPA) kata ten energeian tou kratous tes ischuos autou. Glorified in the life that is life indeed. Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. The four words are dunamis, energeia, ischus and kratos. From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. I hold not its silver and gold; We live in a day when denominations, Churches, and religious organizations are running on man-made programs, social agendas, and orders handed down from denominational headquarters. We have been called by grace, to glory. Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the security of your salvation. Ischus therefore conveys the sense of endowed power or ability. He will occupy and keep thee. God's power is sufficient for our every need. In Ephesians 1:1820, the apostle Pauls prayer reveals that growing in the knowledge of God means growing in the knowledge of Gods mighty power. 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. Philemon The possibilities of human nature are manifest there. The analogy that we have quoted, however, fails us utterly in its final working out. In Ephesians 1:18, Paul wrote, I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling (NASB). which is the true and proper fountain of man's salvation. Now they needed to understand the hope of that calling so that they would then walk worthy of that calling. God has an inheritance. It is hope that Paul here links with Gods effectual call: Scholars are divided over whether hope refers to the subjective emotion or to the objective content of our promised blessings in Christ. I submit that this argues strongly against so-called evolution in the first creation, as it was certainly not necessary in the second (new birth) creation. He prayed first of all that they be given a divine awareness of the power they possessed in Christ. (See Paul and the Mystery Religionsand What were the mystery religions?) Living in the light of Your goodness 21:23; Rev. 1920).[72]. What are the practical applications of this truth? 6:2; 8:3; 10:7; 17:17; Jdg. But I do more than thank. I hold fast to the opinion that our God is ever trying to reveal Himself to us. You have given us freedom, my chains are gone THOUGHT - God grant all of Your children spiritual eyes to perceive and possess our possessions in Christ. Herein lies the means of victory! Esther That's what Paul is praying for here. The definite article in Greek ("the") precedes pisteuo, which means these are literally "the" believing ones (i.e., they are genuine believers). Amen. Even though God has opened our eyes to see and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we still must seek Him to enlighten the eyes of our hearts so that we will come to a deeper understanding of these crucial truths. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. Third is kratos (strength), which may also be translated dominion (1 Ti 6:16) or power (Heb. The Message Canvas Bible: Coloring and Journaling the Story of God, Spring Palette, The Message Large-Print Devotional Bible, softcover, The Message, Large Print, Brown Trio Leather-Look, Message Slimline Bible--soft leather-look, brown/tan, Pause - The Message//REMIX: A Daily Reading Bible - eBook, The Message New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs - eBook. 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. The prophet Jeremiah proclaims that knowledge of God is more valuable than anything else. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! (2Pe 1:2-4-notes 2Peter 1:2; 1:3; 1:4). Paul confidently added that nothing therefore can separate you from Gods love (Rom. It is the active exercise of supernatural power." All Christians have the same hope. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. For Further Study: Joshuas call to lead Israel was not a call to salvation, but it illustrates some important principles for spiritual leadership. As saints, were Gods inheritance, His treasure, His prize! But Ephesians emphasizes God's inheritance in the saints. 2 John 1:11; 3:4; Zech. It is a powerful work, past, present, and future: Gods power was evident in their conversion, Gods power is evident in their endurance, and Gods power will be evident in their resurrection. Or. It will encourage you to go on. Every Christian has a calling on his or her life. He prayed that they might be enlightened so that experientially they might truly possess their possessions! In Ephesians 1:314 Paul proclaims the blessings of our salvation. Christians are not like the Gentiles who have no hope (Eph 2:12+), but are those who have hope or firm assurance (cf "full assurance of hope" Heb 6:11) that God will do good to us in the future because Christ has purchased salvation for us on the Cross in the past (see notes below on Ro 5:1-2), sanctifies them through His Spirit in the present (Gal 5:16-25-note), and will lead them to glory in the future (Col 1:27+; 1Jn 3:2,3+ ).