Later in the letter (chaps. 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. Then again, Nick has become his father, killing a man with no consequences, no guilty conscience either. We may not be able to conquer Satan all at once, but he cannot conquer us at all. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). 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). That we might know God better (Ep 1:17). You have given us freedom! Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. ", 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. Ischus - 10 times in the NT translated: might, 5; power, 1; strength, 4. (2) The other view is that the inheritance means all that we will inherit in Christ. 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. 3:20). In following the call of God, we must be sure to obey His instructions in Scripture. If God can raise Jesus from the dead, God can provide all that is promised to the believer. This sense comes out clearly in the New Testament in the use of the word and of its cognates. The effectual call is given by God only to the elect. In later Christianity this enlightening was equated with baptism (cf. But, also. Encourages my soul. That they might not be cast down by a view of their own unworthiness, he exhorts them to consider the power of God; as if he had said, that their regeneration was no ordinary work of God, but was an astonishing exhibition of his power. The devil can distract you, and he can even cause you to stumble, but he cannot steal the promises of God unless you let him. Others are called to be pastors, teachers, worship leaders, Bible translators, or to a host of other avenues that honor the Lord. But they unravelled the mystery by telling me that they put in, in enriching manure, all that they took out in the days of golden harvest. There's good news and bad news if wealth is what you want. Galatians For fifteen years the Romans defended their homeland against the brilliant Carthaginianand could never drive him out. Heavenly Father, I pray that my heart would be flooded with the marvellous light of the gospel of grace. How does this apply? For example, a young man may begin to have a burden for a particular foreign nation and its people. 2 Peter 2:11 (note) whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. Proud member Memorize them which will facilitate "meditation on the fly" (when you don't have your Bible open, but you do have the text written on the "tablet" of your heart). We are called by God to salvation. Jesus, You have given us freedom God has an inheritance. (See the Three Tenses of Salvation), Lehman Strauss- And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe (1:19). It goes out to all sinners, but not all who hear it respond in faith. The verb belonging to this is kleroo, to draw lots, apportion by lot (only in Eph 1:11-note, Heb 1:4-note). (Ephesians 1:18) What an extraordinary combination! The Greek text may be interpreted in either of two ways. Most uses are figurative. Song of Solomon 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. 6:10-13). Eido was found in the Greek secular writings to describe a theory or hypothesis which had been confirmed. 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. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The resurrection power that raised up the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead is the power that works in every single believer. The knowledge that Paul is praying for includes an intellectual grasp of the truth, but it also grips our emotions and brings our will into greater submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. When we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine to feed and nourish others. The world can't understand it, but we can. And yet what food for faith. 5:13): shall not be able (Lk13:24): I can do all things (Phil4:13): availeth much (Jas. It may, however, be explained by a piece of farming that I learnt recently. Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Paul said that God's power is "to us-ward who believe" (Eph. 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. 119:18; John 3:3), hear (Mt. 2:9; 2 Thess. Constable strings these words together writing that "Power (Gr. Micah The hope that your effectual calling instills is grounded in Gods promises and in Christs accomplishments (1 Peter 1:3), and is characterized by confidently expecting and yet patiently waiting for those promises to be fulfilled. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Figuratively, as used in this verse, photizo means to make clear, to cause to fully know or to cause to understand and is used of God's enlightenment through revelation. Greek: pephotismenous (RPPMPA) tous ophthalmous tes kardias [humon] eis to eidenai (RAN) humas tis estin (PAI) e elpis tes kleseos autou, tis o ploutos tes doxes tes kleronomias autou en tois hagiois. 1986. In 1:18-19, he elaborates on what that means, namely, that God wants us to know three essentials about our salvation that will give us assurance about our high calling as God's people. He is able! (Psalm 119:18-see commentaryor related commentary). (1Jn 5:13+), Comment: A T Robertson writes that eidomeans "to know with settled intuitive knowledge. The power of God is most neglected resource in the Church. Are you praying the promises of God for yourself and your family and the body of Christ? The heart is the inner man, including the emotion and will; it is the whole self, mans inward being. Pauls request for them to know God was within proper bounds because their hearts had been enlightened (the Greek perfect tense indicates past action with continuing results), as discussed in verses 314, especially Eph 1:79 (previous note from Hoehner's discussion in Bible Knowledge Commentary) (Ed Note: Hoehner goes into greater detail regarding six ways this passage could be taken in hisEphesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Lehman Strauss-The prayer continues: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened (1:18). New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 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. Ephesians 1:18. Sometimes both terms are used interchangeably for nahlh (e.g. (Joshua 1:3+) In short, we need to lay hold of the power that resides within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. The verb form, , makes the power obvious, for it means primarily to grasp, seize, or capture (Matt 9:25 = Mark 5:41; Matt 14:3 = Mark 6:17; Matt 26:48, 50, 55 = Mark 14:44, 46, 49; Rev 20:2). Augustine therefore said truly, "Give what Thou commandest, and then command what Thou wilt.". Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Hope for believers is not the worlds wishful thinking, but the absolute certainty that God will make true what he has promised. Numbers Isaiah 46:911is the cornerstone passage that removes all doubt aboutGods sovereignty. Of course, all these blessings are only for those who meet the conditions set forth in Eph 1:1-2 (ED: THOSE WHO BELIEVE). (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". CD players dont have needles, he said, laughing. | GotQuestions.org, Is there any power in positive thinking? It is truth too magnificent for words to describe which is why even Gods own revelation requires illumination of His Spirit in order for believers to begin to understand the magnitude of the blessings of salvation that exist for saints. energy) of the might (kratous, power that overcomes resistance, as in Christs miracles; this word is used only of God, never of believers) of Gods inherent strength (ischyos) which He provides (cf. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. So that (1519) (eis) conveys the primary idea of motion into any place or thing figuratively as here speaks of the purpose for the Ephesian saints having been enlightened. As for the worldling, God gives him anything, but for the Christian, God selects the best portion, and chooses his inheritance for him. In verse 18 he prays that we will comprehend those great truths, which he summarizes in the phrase, the hope of His calling.. 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. Thats 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. Blessing upon blessings! The power mentioned inEphesians 1:1920is continually attributed to God, not us. 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. He considers each us to be His precious portion. 14:13, 17; 24:18; Deut. The same power which raised the Head works life in the members. Kleronomia compounded from kleros and nemo, allot, is first the activity of dividing by lot, then the portion so divided, the inheritance. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. Exodus 28:1). I am in total agreement with you. If we do walk in the Spirit we will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. THE POWER OF GOD IN THE ASCENSION LIFE. Nu. He said that godly people who are engaged in daily struggles with inward corruption realize that it requires nothing less than the surpassing greatness of Gods power to save us. And all the crops of golden grain, all the fruits of Christian grace, are Thine from us, because Thou hast by thy blood and tears, by the sunshine of thy love, and the rain of thy grace, enriched natures which in themselves were arid as the desert and barren as the sand. (The Reciprocal Inheritance). In Ephesians 1:314 Paul proclaims the blessings of our salvation. The living family of God want a living Saviour, one who can hear and answer prayer, deliver out of soul-trouble, speak a word with power to the heart when bowed down with grief and sorrow, sympathise with them under powerful temptations, support them under the trials and afflictions of the way, maintain under a thousand discouragements His own life in their soul, sustain under bereavements the mourning widow, and be a father to her fatherless children; appear again and again in providence as a friend that loveth at all times and a brother born for adversity, smile upon them in death, and comforting them with His rod and staff as they walk through the valley of its dark shadow, land them at last safely in a happy eternity.