For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. But now Rader was fighting for souls, and as he stood to speak he proclaimed his text, Ephesians 1:18. Not even Satan has the power to do that. (Ibid). 1 Peter 5:10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. Again, Paul piles up words to describe Gods power. Ischus - 10 times in the NT translated: might, 5; power, 1; strength, 4. Peter saysThink it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you. Rise to the occasion; do the thing. 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. 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. 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. Generally, then, it may be said that while both words include the idea of manifestation or of power in action, ischus emphasizes the outward, physical manifestations, and dunamis the inward, spiritual or moral virtue. (cf 2Co 6:11-13+)(Ephesians Commentary). Paul Rader, former wrestler and boxer, became one of the most powerful evangelists of the early 20th century. Never apologize for your inner eyes! The same limitless power that created, sustains, and controls the universe saved you and keeps you saved. It is God who is at work in you, Paul assures us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil. 10:32; Rev. To use the Greek word, it is amaranthine (see amarantinos). | GotQuestions.org, Is there power in the name of Jesus? Paul previously prays that the Ephesians would understand the hope, or certainty, of their calling and future inheritance (Ephesians 1:18). 28:9; 33:12; 78:62, 71; 106:5, 40; Isa. 1:911; Col. 1:912), we discover the blessings he wanted his converts to enjoy. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:12). ", It is power. A strong man (Mt. Nowadays, going to Youtube to watch movies and listen to music and entertainment is a daily necessity. First, he raised Christ from the dead (v.20). Augustine therefore said truly, "Give what Thou commandest, and then command what Thou wilt.". What kind of riches are you looking for? They are actually conflicts with evil spiritual forces (6:12). to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called". Rom. you may know (eido) that you have eternal life. 1:3), you are less likely to succumb to temptation. ", etc (See 5W/H questions). All believers have been called by grace, out of darkness into His glorious light. This inheritance will be fully realized in the future. Paul always uses the word call to refer to this effectual call of God that actually saves the one called (Charles Hodge, Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians [Eerdmans], p. 75). 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. He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. In the first instance it means a lot. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? 5:11; Jude 1:25; Rev. In other words, believers cannot do with this power what they choose, but its use must conform to the direction given by Christ, the head of the Church. Referring to himself as a believer, Paul wrote: "I am [have been] crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal. There is a superabundance of machinery; what is wanting is power. Philemon The eyes of your heart will be enlightened! 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. But that he should find the riches of glory in them!--this passes thought. 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. In addition to a holy calling, saints also have a high ("upward") calling (Php 3:14+) and a heavenly calling (Heb 3:1+). Proud member In the Mississippi River, right? 15:16; 1Sa 16:7; 1 Ki. That's the reason Paul said, "I am praying that your eyes will be opened, that you will be enlightened, that you will understand this" (Ephesians 1:18). Here is how this applies: As a believer, you are always in need of the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of your heart to the great truths of the Bible. It means to attain a degree that extraordinarily exceeds a point on a scale of extent. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy. You have given us freedom, Freedom, You have given us freedom Megethos in the Septuagint -Ex. 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. He is powerless to apprehend spiritual things. Hes not interested in the world. Only when we come to understand how our lives are anchored in eternity (Heb 6:18-19+) can we have the right perspective and motivation for living in time (1Jn 3:2-3+). 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. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. You have given us freedom, my chains are gone Notice in this one letter Paul prays twice for the saints to experience dunamis which He associates with the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is used in doxologies to extol the power or dominion of God (1 Pet 5:11; Jude 25; Rev 5:13) and of Christ (1 Tim 6:16; 1 Pet 4:11; Rev 1:6; 5:13), which has victory over all contrary powers. (See Paul and the Mystery Religionsand What were the mystery religions?) We are God's very special possession - His glorious inheritance. Jesus healed by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38); cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit (Mt 12:28); was resurrected from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:11+); and was seated at God's right hand in the heavenly places through the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:19, 20+). But if we want our church to truly be the church, the things Paul prayed for here are vastly more important. Ephesians 1:1920is discussing Pauls earnest desire for the Ephesians to attain knowledge regarding the power of God toward the believer. 8:30), the God who predestined you and called you will also glorify you. Joshua (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. Colossians 1:5; 23 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel (1:23) if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. But their willingness to persevere assured victory, for Hannibal could never conquer them. 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. Beloved, Peter said, be not ignorant of this one thing: one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (II Peter 3:8). It can be used of the power of growth, of the powers of nature, of the power of a drug, of the power of a mans genius. John Piper does one of his "labs" on the question of inheritance and ends by saying possibly both aspects are true. Calmen had expected her former teacher to say, "I knew you could do that.". Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. God called the entire nation of Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). 36.2; 59.3). 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. "For we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God." But wholly lean on Jesus name. 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! 2:9). (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament), Glenn Spencer on believe - This is a condition for the victorious life. Is this not every believers great challenge and need?! dunamis) refers to a spiritually dynamic living force. The " heart " is the inner man, including the emotion and will; it is the whole self, man's inward being. 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. 17 But I do more than thank. He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. 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. (SeeThe Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked!). And so he prays that these saints might be able to grasp the breadth and length and height and depth (Eph 3:18) of the great truths in chapter one, so that they might be enabled by the indwelling Spirit and the riches of God's grace (DOCTRINAL TRUTH IN CHAPTERS 1-3) to order their steps so that they "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called." We need not pray for power to endure suffering. 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? 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. Ephesians 1:1920is not stating that believers have received the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. If youre not happy at this moment, neither will you be with a change of location, salary, or ministry. Sometimes both terms are used interchangeably for nahlh (e.g. Nevertheless, in this verse Paul is referring to the subjective hope. The heart was the seat of understanding. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened By the Spirit of God already, to see the exceeding sinfulness of sin; the insufficiency of their own righteousness; the beauty, glory, fulness, and suitableness of Christ, as a Saviour; the excellency, truth, and usefulness of the doctrines of the Gospel; in which their understandings were before dark, but now had light into them: wherefore these words are not to be considered as part of the apostle's petitions, but rather as what was taken for granted by him; and are to be put into a parenthesis, and the following words to be joined in connection with the preceding verse; unless it should be thought, that the apostle prays for greater illuminations, and for more spiritual light, and that the eyes of their understandings might be more and more enlightened; the phrase, (lkvh Nye) , (omma thv dianoiav) , "the eye of the understanding", is Rabbinical, and often to be met with in Jewish writings F6; the Alexandrian copy, and several others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read, "the eyes of your heart"; and to, (twbblh ynye) , "the eyes of the hearts, or minds", is a phrase used by the Jewish writers F7: that ye may know what is the hope of his calling; by which is meant, the effectual calling of the saints; which is not a call to an office, or a call merely by the external ministry of the word; but which is internal, special, powerful, high, and heavenly: and this is the calling of God, of which he is the author; who calls with an holy calling, unto eternal glory by Christ Jesus; and which is without repentance: and the hope of this calling, is either eternal happiness, which is the thing hoped for; or Christ, who is the ground and foundation of it; or the grace of hope, which is exercised on both; or all three: for hope of eternal glory, as it is founded on Christ, may be said to be the hope of the calling of God, because it is wrought in the soul at the time of the effectual calling, and what saints are then called to the exercise of; and calling grace, is an encouragement to hope for eternal life; since whom God calls, he justifies and glorifies: and now the apostle prays, that these saints who were called by the grace of God, might know more of Christ, the foundation of their hope; and what that is they are hoping for, and more and more what it is to hope for the same, upon the view of Christ's person, blood, and righteousness: and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; the saints themselves are the Lord's portion, and the lot of his inheritance, in whom he is, and will be abundantly glorified; but here it rather seems to design the heavenly inheritance before spoken of, of which the Spirit is the earnest; and this is the Lord's, it is of his preparing, and it is his gift, and a very rich and glorious inheritance it is: hence it is not only signified by mansions, and everlasting habitations, by an house, and by a city, but by a kingdom; the riches of grace are preparatory to it, and the riches of glory are comprised in it; and this is in, or among the saints, who only have a right unto it, and a meetness for it; and what this inheritance is, with the riches and glory of it, will not be fully known in this life; and indeed but little of it is known; so that such a petition as this is always proper and pertinent. 8:3839). He is able! Paul desires that they truly know these magnificent, priceless truths! Another English word dynamite, is derived from dunamis and since dunamis is used by Paul to describe the "power of God", some have suggested that the gospel is "Gods dynamite". Strength (2904) (kratos) refers to manifested power or power that is put forth in action. And so inspired by the Spirit, Paul emphasizes that God has even more blessings to bestow on His children, the blessing of "resurrection power" so that saved sinners so that we might be enabled to live a supernatural life! At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. 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). (Life Application Study Bible: New Living Translation). I am in total agreement with you. This seemed to me very extraordinary. Ephesians 1:19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. Yes, it is an inheritance. A muscular mans big muscles display his might, even if he doesnt use them. The average ministry is fueled by the flesh. 36)? Jon Courson- That ye may know what is the hope of his calling Ephesians 1:18. (SURPASSING) Exceeding what? Both riches and honor come from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that (purpose clause- ask "What purpose?") For example, Jesus said that evil thoughts come out of the heart (Matt. The gnawing tooth of decay cannot injure it. In verse 18 he prays that we will comprehend those great truths, which he summarizes in the phrase, the hope of His calling.. Even though He has given humankind the freedom to make choices, His choices have already been made (Exodus 33:19;Romans 9:1018). It is a very high honor conferred upon God's servants, that it is said of them, "He shall choose their inheritance." Psalm 18:28 For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness. But Ephesians emphasizes God's inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Energeia - 7v -Eph. we must have the power of God. THOUGHT: When you open your Bible, ask the Author to open your heart! When an emigrant first receives the title-deeds of the broad lands made over to him in the far West, he has no conception, as he descends the steps of the Government office and passes into the crowd, of all that has been conveyed to him in the schedule of parchment. Used by permission of NavPress. Jesus answered and said to him (to Peter who was a bit "put off" that Jesus was preparing to wash his dirty feet! That view stresses the value God places on us as believers, as demonstrated in Christs death, the forgiveness of our sins, and the abundant grace that He lavishes on us (Eph 1: 78). 1 Peter 4:11 (note) Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. View (1) is probably the more valid interpretation although both views are taught in Scripture and the Greek text does allow for both interpretations. 1:19; Eph. THOUGHT - Beloved, there is a powerful principle taught in this section. Ephesians Zechariah Jeremiah 3 John 2:20). There is nothing more to seek, nothing more to be given or received. he prays that they may come to the full knowledge and possession thereof in Christ. He gives the worldling husks; but he stops to find out the sweet fruits for his people. 1:51; Acts 19:20; Eph. 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+ ). For fifteen years the Romans defended their homeland against the brilliant Carthaginianand could never drive him out. The other day, when travelling in Scotland, I was introduced to some farmers whose soil was naturally of the poorest description; and yet, in answer to my inquiries, I found that they were able to raise crops of considerable weight and value. You might not always sense it, but its there nonetheless. Here are the other two uses in Ephesians. Eph 6:10; 1 Peter 4:11). 8.247; Justin Martyr, Apology 1.61.12; Dial 39.2; 122.1; cf. 2 Corinthians We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. It sounds idealistic. Having prayed then that God would enlighten the eyes of our hearts, Paul specifies three things that God wants you to know: Paul later (4:4) will talk about the hope of your calling, but here he refers to the hope of His calling. Why does he do that? We may not be able to conquer Satan all at once, but he cannot conquer us at all. It is kept for us, and we are kept for it. In the Greek culture the seat of emotions would be the intestines. In other words, if we now have come to believe in Christ, we can know that it took nothing less than Gods mighty power to bring us to that point. For example, a young man may begin to have a burden for a particular foreign nation and its people. Hope in Scripture is the absolute certainty of future good. The saints knew to a degree what the concept of being "in Christ" meant but not in a deep intuitive way. In our struggle with everything that sets itself against the knowledge of God, we have some incredible resources. Surely not. Leviticus 3:20). New Testament scholar F. F. Bruce writes (The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians [Eerdmans], p. 270), That God should set such high value on a community of sinners, rescued from perdition and still bearing too many traces of their former state, might well seem incredible were it not made clear that he sees them in Christ, as from the beginning he chose them in Christ., Why did God do this? But a treasure far greater is mine; Huperballo is used only 5x in the NT but 3 are in Ephesians. We will be perfect in righteousness and in love for God and one another. spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." The Father has chosen (verse 4) and predestined (verse 5) believers to adoption in Jesus Christ. The power mentioned inEphesians 1:1920is continually attributed to God, not us. Ephesians 1:18 The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language 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 his followers, Read more Share Copy Show footnotes Ephesians 1:18 The New International Version (NIV) God is the Master Engineer, He allows the difficulties to come in order to see if you can vault over them properlyBy my God have I leaped over a wall. God will never shield you from any of the requirements of a son or daughter of His. I pray that you may know what is the hope of [Gods] calling (Eph. NET since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints. From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. And not just barely free, either. He knows that future hope has the potential to motivate us to present obedience. 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. We are called by God to salvation. COMMENT - This context refers to the spiritual powers of the heavenly beings. For we saw (eido) His star in the east, and have come to worship Him." Nevertheless, the distinctions in these words is somewhat difficult to appreciate and convey in the form of a simple definition. Consequently, they constantly strive for material things and are continually caught up in carnal pursuits. Ezekiel 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? This down payment from God is the first installment on whats coming, a reminder that well get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life. THOUGHT - God grant all of Your children spiritual eyes to perceive and possess our possessions in Christ. 12:2) by filling you with the knowledge of [Gods] will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Col. 1:9). It sounds like religious hype. The idea is that it is the active efficacy of the might that is inherent in God, His indwelling strength. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. They dont know the reality of heaven. Although the participle follows the hinaof Eph 1:17, it is awkward grammatically in the clause. (Dt 32:9+). 1:18). 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. | GotQuestions.org, What does God mean when He says, Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)? Compare Peter's opening blessing for his readers in his second epistle Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge (epignosis) of God and of Jesus our Lord 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge (epignosis) of Him Who called us by His own glory and excellence. The Lord pursued His disobedient servant until Jonah submitted himself to the call. THAT THE EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEING ENLIGHTENED. 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. Ephesians 1:19 is a power packed passage with 4 Greek synonyms for power that give a great glimpse of the God's manifold power, especially His resurrection power (cf Ro 1:4+).
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