MacArthur makes an interesting assessment commenting that "One cause of immaturity in the church at Corinth was reliance on feelings above knowledge. 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. Illustration - Brian Harbour - Back many years ago, a young boy accompanied his father and mother as they took the wagon into town for supplies. That we might sense and experience the working of His incomparably great power for us who believe (Ep 1:19a). BGT [] , , Amplified: By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), (Amplified Bible - Lockman). The young man then begins to study that nation and enrolls in a missions-focused school. For example, Deuteronomy 32:9 says, For the Lords portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance. Psalm 33:12 proclaims, Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. (See, also, Deut. 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.' 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. Here it is the other way around. Imagine a couple of demons speaking. 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. 2 Chronicles The Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked! He has riches untold. I think the needle is broken, I told him. Every Christian has a calling on his or her life. Perhaps it is because many of us assume in advance how the meeting will go. Reprinted by permission. Esther He wants them to fully grasp the nature of all three aspects of their salvation. 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. 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). 1:9; 1 Co. 4:5; Eph. THOUGHT - God grant all of Your children spiritual eyes to perceive and possess our possessions in Christ. This seemed to me very extraordinary. ", Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. The "bad" news is that it doesn't have anything to do with money. Don't you think it's time all Heaven broke loose? 5:10; 8:14; 14:4, 26; 15:6; 18:10; 27:24; 30:25; 31:25; Eccl. (Commentary on the New Testament:), Warren Wiersbe - First, enlightenment comes from the Holy Spirit. Hope for believers is not the worlds wishful thinking, but the absolute certainty that God will make true what he has promised. The average ministry is fueled by the flesh. But it is mind-boggling when he prays that we will know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints! (Titus 2:11-14-See notes Titus 2:11; 2:12; 2:13; 2:14). In Ephesians 5:27, Paul says that Gods aim is that He might present to Himself the church, in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. In Colossians 1:27, Paul says that to the saints, God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.. All of which is a parable. Why is there so little power when God states that He has given us His Divine power? I feel now that I want to serve God, if He can use me, instead of making the goal of my life the making of money. (Bible Knowledge Background Commentary). (Mark 2:10-11+). Hebrews 1:19, p. 214): Pauls object, therefore, was not only to impress the Ephesians with a deep sense of the value of Divine grace, but also to give them exalted views of the glory of Christs kingdom. 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". 2:9). If one had learnt a swifter art of appropriating the wealth that lay open to his hand, he would be actually, though perhaps not potentially, richer than his neighbour. The next time you participate in a group prayer session, speak up with a bold heart and give honor to the almighty God. Romans 8:28-30 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. The church, like Samson in the lap of a harlot, has divulged the secret of strength and is shorn of power. Rather, if we are the called according to Gods purpose, then we know that He is actively working all things together for our good, both in time and in eternity (Rom. GOD'S INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! One day a man is walking through a field. 26:64), and so in classical Greek used to denote the magistrates or authorities. In the Mississippi River, right? Still, with the stillness of death. All rights reserved, Life Application Study Bible: New Living Translation, Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company, Complete Biblical Library - Incredible Resource, Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Ephesians 1:18 I. Proper understanding of spiritual truth is not dependent on having a keen intellect but rather a tender heart! Are you working it out with your tongue, and your brain and your nerves? A muscular mans big muscles display his might, even if he doesnt use them. Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. Here are some examples of the riches that can be ours as believers in Jesus Christ: An understanding of God the Father and the Son, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:2-3). 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. He rarely had a good nights sleep, and guards stood constantly at his door. Call or calling is used with reference to salvation in two senses. When you buy a new gadget, it comes with an owners manual that tells you how to operate it. Having been enlightened rests on the observation that you cant see in the dark and implies that the addressees used to live in mental darkness but that at conversion they were transferred into the realm of mental light, so that now they can see what the Spirit reveals to them (Eph 4:1718; Eph 5:8; Colossians 1:13). 6:4; Heb. For example, Jesus said that evil thoughts come out of the heart (Matt. 1 Chronicles 1986. Setup File Name: Adobe_Premiere_Pro_v23.2..69.rar. All rights reserved), If someone sees the best in me, In the Greek culture the seat of emotions would be the intestines. 6:10-13). God is patient with His children, working with us until we see things aright. The world can't understand it, but we can. The next time we feel weak, we need to recall this passage to our mind (a present imperative command in Php 4:8-note), not in the sense of "mind over matter" but in the sense that this is what is true about us, a truth that we need to walk in by faith (2Cor 5:7, Col 2:6), even (especially) during those times we feel weak (cp 2Cor 12:9-10-note) or inadequate (2Cor 3:5-6-note, 1Cor 15:10-note). 4:20; 7:6; 9:26, 29; 1 Kings 8:51, 53 Ps. It is kept for us, and we are kept for it. In sum, for believerseido/oida suggests Spirit given fullness of knowledge, absolute knowledge (that which is without a doubt), rather than a progress in knowledge (cp ginosko) a distinction illustrated in the following passages. Ephesians chapter 6:10-6:18. Paul would say "STOP IT!" 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. 10:10): a strong consolation (Heb6:18): a mighty angel (Rev18:21). Greatness (3174) (megethos from megas = strong, great) refers to magnitude (great size or extent), greatness. Salem Media Group. (Pathways to His Presence), Craig Blomberg - To Let Us Experience Gods Mighty Power, I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Maybe youre saying, Is that ever true! But when Adam sinned, he inadvertently handed it over to Satan. He prayed that they might be enlightened so that experientially they might truly possess their possessions! - Jn 15:5!) He trips over something, brushes the dirt from it, and discovers its a treasure. Because He wants to hang out on the Columbia River? The occasion of it was the foresight the apostle had of false teachers that would spring up in this church, after his death, and spread their pernicious doctrines, and draw away disciples after them, and do great mischief in the church; wherefore the design of this epistle is to establish the saints in the doctrines of the Gospel, that so they might not be carried away with the errors of the wicked: the subject matter of it is most excellent; it treats of the most sublime doctrines of grace, of divine predestination, and eternal election, of redemption by Christ, and of peace and pardon by his blood, of conversion by the power of efficacious grace, and of salvation by the free grace of God, in opposition to works: it also very largely treats of the nature and usefulness of the Gospel ministry, and of gifts qualifying for it, and of the several duties of religion incumbent on Christians; and the method which is used is exceeding apt and beautiful, for the apostle first begins with the doctrines of the Gospel, which he distinctly handles and explains, and then proceeds to enforce the duties belonging to men, both as men and Christians. I askask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of gloryto make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, 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, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust himendless energy, boundless strength! he prays that they may come to the full knowledge and possession thereof in Christ. 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. No sooner has the emigrant reached his estate, than he commences to prospect it. The Kleronomos is one who has been given a kleros, the inheritor. 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. Therefore, not only do we have an inheritance (Eph 1:14) but He also has an inheritance (Eph 1:18). Amen. 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. GotQuestions.org, Warren Wiersbe sums up Paul's prayer for the saints to know the power they possess - The power of the Holy Spirit, through the resurrected, ascended Christ, is available to all Christiansby faith. He does everything he can to buy the field in which the treasure is buried. Cold, with the coldness of death. David wrote, Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the dominion, O Lord, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. 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+). I cant handle hearing all of the heartbreaking prayer requests for sick children, terminally ill relatives, and church members in financial turmoil.. Paul is "struggling" to say what cannot be said. 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. 6:9; 7:9; 8:7; Joel 2:22; Amos 2:14; 3:11; 5:9; 6:13; Mic. Jdg. We have been called, chosen, justified, and glorified for we are saved by grace through faith in Christ and are become his chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. Into the city enters nothing that defiles, or works abomination, or makes a lie. NLT (revised)I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called-- his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. But I do more than thank. What an objective in prayer! 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. (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 reserved in heaven for you. Now Paul deals with the third area, that is, the greatness of his power which God directs toward believers (for a structural layout of the prayer, see 1:16b). 2 Timothy 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. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; Will Pauls prayer be answered in your life? Therefore, whereas the hope that was produced by his calling looked back to the past, his inheritance in the saints will be fully realized in Christs coming to get his saints." They worship a lie (as do all cults who have exchanged the truth of God for the lie of Satan - cf Ro 1:25+). NET and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength. In Ephesians 1:18 the Greek word forheart is singular so that Paul is praying for each individual person's heart! (The Immeasurable Greatness of His Power Toward Us). BGT . 5 Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. 1:19). 79)? It is exclusively a Pauline word used only to describe superhuman or supernatural power, whether of God or of the devil. Jon Courson - Throughout Scripture, the word hope always refers to that which is coming, to that which is ahead. Energeia describes Gods power in raising Christ, Paul instructing the Colossian saints that they have "been buried with Him (Christ) in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the (supernatural) working (energeia) of God, Who raised Him from the dead (Note well - Paul says the Holy Spirit is God and He was the the One Who "raised Jesus from the dead" - Ro 8:11+) " (Col 2:12+). A ministry that is College-trained but not Spirit-filled works no miracles. you may know (eido) that you have eternal life. And what is he attempting to describe? Calmen had expected her former teacher to say, "I knew you could do that.". Notice that pisteuo is in the present tense which describes those who are continuously believing as for example would be demonstrated by their lifestyle, which is generally (not perfectly) directed God-ward and Heaven-ward (homeward). Psalms 119:130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. 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). The church is Christs body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. The soul, as is written, The soul of man is the lamp of the Lord (Prov. 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. Notice in this one letter Paul prays twice for the saints to experience dunamis which He associates with the indwelling Holy Spirit. This is a wonderful truth. It is one of ourselves who has strength enough to bear the burden of the glory, one of ourselves who can stand within the blaze of encircling and indwelling Divinity and be unconsumed. This was even Paul's desire expressed so powerfully in Philippians writing that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death (Php 3:10+). These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might. Throughout the Old Testament, the verb know and the noun knowledge refer to intimacy and relationship, not simply a cognitive understanding of the facts. Plato (Protagoras, 350) draws the distinction thus: I should not have admitted that the able (dunatous) are strong (ischurous), though I have admitted that the strong are able. As you face this new day, do so with the confidence that you are one of Gods elect. The wealthy devoted their treasure to the cause, and all classes sacrificed everyday amenities for troops in the field. He does not tell us, but other words in this letter, in the other great prayer which it contains, may help us to supply the missing words. (see note). 1 John From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. The ESV also picks up the perfecttense rendering it "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened," which also describes a past completed action. We are not in heaven yet; but we are as safe as if we were. Wiersbe - In the prison prayers of Paul (Eph. Oh! You have given us freedom, Freedom, You have given us freedom 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). Thus, His possession is located in the saints. Our dear Father "has blessed (past tense - it is a completed act!) NIV and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 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. Living in the light of Your goodness Our society has been enamored with the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, especially since the influx of Eastern thought into the West during the 1960s. Who by the power of God are guarded through faith. Saving faith is sufficient for trusting Christ and being saved, but such must grow into Sanctifying faith, Serving faith, Standing faith, and Suffering faith. | GotQuestions.org, Is there power in the name of Jesus? But in order that you may know (eido) that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins-- He said to the paralytic--I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home. 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)! ", Ischus - 251 uses in the Septuagint (LXX) - Ge4:12; 31:6; 49:3; Ex.9:16; 15:6, 13; 32:11, 18; Lev. I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness Don't you think it's time that the people of God begin to understand and to exercise Kingdom Authority? Ephesians 1:1920is discussing Pauls earnest desire for the Ephesians to attain knowledge regarding the power of God toward the believer. So what are we saying? Numbers We have been called, chosen, justified, and glorified for we are saved by grace through faith in Christ and are become his chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. 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. 1 Thessalonians They will give us the hope and eternal perspective that we need to endure trials. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Eph. God gives usspiritual giftsto aid us in our call to service. All members of the true church are called to the one destiny of being taken out of this world, being like Christ [1John 3:2], and sharing His glory forever. It is a matter of constant complaint with Christian people that they fall so far below their aspirations and hopes. It tells us all we need to know to walk with God and live wisely in light of eternity. Nahum 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. Play Chris Tomlin's Resurrection Power. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? which is the true and proper fountain of man's salvation. It will encourage you to go on. He is able! 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. Eyes (3788) (ophthalmos) is literally the organ of vision but in Paul's use is obviously figurative. 1:10; Heb. "Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him." To be called by God is to be chosen by God for certain purposes. By Gods great mercy we have been begotten again (1Pet 1:3-note). 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. See discussion of the value of pausing to ponder this term of purpose or result . Do you hunger and thirst for God as a deer does for the water brooks? THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Languagecopyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. God's incomparably great power helps us grow, change, love others. As Paul puts it (2 Tim. Septuagint Usage -Grundmann (ischu, Kittel, 3:397, note 3) asserts that ischus is the most common word for power in the LXX. It substitutes for 30 Hebrew expressions in the Septuagint where it regularly translates such terms as kach (strength, power, ability), chayil (capacity, power), and az (strength). And many a life that might grow rich in its heritage of God is dwindled and marred, because it sets a limitation on God's heritage of itself. The heart was the seat of understanding. Jeremiah ", It is power. 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.". 1 Kings 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. You have given us freedom (You set us free), I have resurrection power living on the inside (You set us free) All Christians have the same hope. Bruce adds (p. 271), Paul prays here that his readers may appreciate the value which God places on them, his plan to accomplish his eternal purpose through them as the first fruits of the reconciled universe of the future, in order that their lives may be in keeping with this high calling and that they may accept in grateful humility the grace and glory thus lavished on them., Our future is that throughout eternity we will actually share in Christs glory! (Phillips: Touchstone), Wuest: 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, (Eerdmans Publishing- usedby permission). 15-19Thats why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldnt stop thanking God for youevery time I prayed, Id think of you and give thanks.
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ephesians 1:18 the message
