Is she supposed to do something about this? "For we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God." Perhaps you can remember three words to capture this message: resurrection power now. (Back to the Bible), Choose Book of Bible to Study He has bought and paid for them to the utmost farthing, hence about his title there can be no dispute. Did you see it? (cf 2Co 6:11-13+)(Ephesians Commentary). It is His capability to function effectively. Kleronomia compounded from kleros and nemo, allot, is first the activity of dividing by lot, then the portion so divided, the inheritance. Slain because of our sins. Hebrews That we might sense and experience the working of His incomparably great power for us who believe (Ep 1:19a). Ischus therefore conveys the sense of endowed power or ability. Psalms 119:130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. 12:2) by filling you with the knowledge of [Gods] will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Col. 1:9). We are called by God to salvation. Spiritual enlightenment doesnt come through self-effort or introspective meditation but through Gods Holy Spirit. To correct this problem, we must embrace all aspects of prayer. Song of Solomon Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2007, All Rights Reserved. There is a superabundance of machinery; what is wanting is power. In them we see the possibilities of humanity, the ideal for man which God had when He created and breathed His blessing .upon him. I do not mean that God is trying to appear to our physical eyesight. But now Rader was fighting for souls, and as he stood to speak he proclaimed his text, Ephesians 1:18. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name (1 Chron. That ye may know what is the hope of His calling Eph. Nu. But when Adam sinned, he inadvertently handed it over to Satan. Pray Ephesians 1:17-19 (and other Pauline prayers). . Craig Evans - Old Testament prayers commonly asked for opening ones eyes, particularly to Gods Word (Ps. 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. Don't you think it's time all Heaven broke loose? Paul Rader, former wrestler and boxer, became one of the most powerful evangelists of the early 20th century. One demon says to the other, "Demon, if those liberal theologians ever really let Jesus Christ out of that tomb, and those so-called Baptist preachers begin to preach itwhew! ", Colossians 1:29 records Paul's testimony: "I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.". Some of the fairest hopes that ever blessed human vision; the most delightful friendships; the most perfect dreams of delight, have faded and withered before our eyes. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Many of us skim the manual quickly (at best), or never bother to read it at all. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. | GotQuestions.org, The Immeasurable Greatness of His Power Toward Us, Hurley, V. Speaker's Sourcebook of New Illustrations Dallas: Word Publishers, having been called "with a holy" (2 Timothy 1:9, out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles (Romans 9:24, through the "gospel" that we "may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2Th 2:14, and be brought "into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1Cor 1:9, and return in triumph "with Him" at the end of this age (Revelation 17:14. But, Paul adds, the surpassing greatness of His power, and then goes on to say (1:19b-21) that this power is in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Wow! According to Jeremiah 9:2324. But that one in our nature should be exalted to that seat of pre-eminence and power; that the Mediator between God and man should be the man Christ Jesus; that the hands which once were nailed to the cross should now hold the sceptre, and that the feet which once walked on Lake Gennesaret, which were weary and dust-soiled at Jacobs well, which were washed with a sinful womans tears and kissed in penitential grief and love with polluted lipsthat these very feet should now have all things put under them both in heaven and earth, there is the mystery. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. We are dearer to Him than all the worlds He has ever made; more precious than all His other creation. 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. (see note), Christ, "the hope of glory," living in us (Colossians 1:27). Joshua 1:10). a patrimony or a possession. God's power is sufficient for our every need. Thus here Paul is emphasizing Gods power that already saved us rather than the power that He gives to sustain us. ANSWER -The Bible often mentions people being called by God for a specific ministry or service. by Theodore Epp - Ephesians 1: 19-23 The Scriptures frequently refer to God's power as it relates to the believer. Every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure (I John 3:3). That's a good description of the way God gives His riches to us. He prays that the eyes of their understanding may be enlightened, Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 1:18. 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). Observe that the power which raised Christ from the dead was glorious. Here is the reason why God is so little to us. Comment: The fact that Paul qualifies this "hope" as "one hope" emphasizes that there is the same ultimate, glorious reality for all of the church, whether Jew or Gentile! The "heart" in Scripture speaks of the very center and core of one's life, the seat of thoughts and moral judgments. If then you would know why it is that some of God's children live lives so much fuller and richer than others, you must seek it in the differences of their appropriation of God. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. But they are being intellectually lazy and exposing themselves to spiritual danger! If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. Herein lies the means of victory! 2 Kings Eido/oida is distinguished from ginosko(epiginosko, epignosis - the other major NT word group for knowing) because ginosko generally refers to knowledge obtained by experience or "experiential knowledge". 10:13; Eph. God had placed a call on Pauls life from the moment he was converted (Acts 9:1516). Why is there such a power shortage among professing Christians today? This is misapplication of this English derivative in an attempt to try to picture the life saving power of the gospel. 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+. A calling, invitation; in the NT, always of a divine call. 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. The Word of God is scarcely preached while rock music and religious performers entertain worldly pagans. 17:6; Ezek. After all, what good is it to have wealth if you are too weak to use it? This is simply remarkable! Paul is praying for the Ephesians to be able to supernaturally grasp the truths in Ephesians 1:3-14 where we see that saints are (1) chosen (Eph 1:4+), (2) predestined (Eph 1:5+,, Eph 1:11+), (3) adopted as sons (Eph 1:5+), (4) accepted in the Beloved (Eph 1:6+- see article Accepted in the Beloved), (5) redeemed through His blood (Ephesians 1:7+), (6) forgiven (Eph 1:7+), (7) sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ep 1:13+) and (8) given the earnest of our inheritance (Ep 1:14+). The same limitless power that created, sustains, and controls the universe saved you and keeps you saved. Matthew The giant trees are cut down; and their roots burnt out, or extracted by a team of horses. We are God's very special possession - His glorious inheritance. The field is the world. Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the privilege of being His child. But with God this shall never be. This sense comes out clearly in the New Testament in the use of the word and of its cognates. Cold, with the coldness of death. But where is He?. It is not as under the laws of primogeniture, that one child takes all, while the younger children are dismissed with meagre allowances. Ask Him to impress on your heart the blessings and responsibilities of your calling. (Ephesians Commentary). Be alert for attitudes or actions that need to be changed. 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). Savor each moment. Revival comes when, no longer satisfied to know about a God in history, we meet the conditions of finding Him in living, personal experience. Second, this enlightenment comes to the heart of the believer (Eph. The Holy Spirit reveals truth to us from the Word, and then gives us the wisdom to understand and apply it. Some commentators see His inheritance as a reference to believers, who are Gods inheritance or special possession (Eph 1:14). 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.. As an introduction to mentioning the many afflictions he had endured for the Lord, Paul commented, But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves (2 Cor. The hope of His calling is to see Him and be one with Him. To give light to, to illuminate. Leaning his head on the seat in front of him, he trembled. 79)? Although Paul wrote his letter in Greek, he was steeped in the Hebrew Biblethat is, the Old Testament. Your prayer will likely be a welcome reminder to others. By his own sovereign choice. And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe - Supernatural power for believers to enable them to live in triumph. As for the worldling, God gives him anything, but for the Christian, God selects the best portion, and chooses his inheritance for him. 2:14; 1 Pet. But I do more than thank. Zondervan). All who receive it respond in faith. The same power that brought Christ from the dead, and set him on high, works in the salvation of every believer. TECHNICAL NOTE - There are 25 compounds with huper in the NT, and 16 are found only in the Pauline Epistles. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. (ESV Study Bible), Spurgeon - "See how high Christ is raised! Habakkuk 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; . (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). For example, Jesus said that evil thoughts come out of the heart (Matt. Where do we find the power to overcome anger, resist greed, offer forgiveness, or pursue sexual purity? A ministry that is College-trained but not Spirit-filled works no miracles. I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, Kratos is exercised strength whereas ischus refers to great inherent strength. 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. I never heard such a sermon in all my lifeEphesians 1:18. Faith must be exercised in all areas of Christian growth. (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. These include truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. But not content with this, in the following year he pushes his fences back further into the depth of prairie or forest, and again renews his efforts to compel the land to yield him her secret stores. If that has happened to you, confess it immediately and turn from it. This may be the reason Paul spends more time on this area. 6:4; Heb. You have given us freedom, Johnson asks "What is the greatness of the power to us what who believe? 2:89), and we live by grace, through faith (1Cor. When her teacher finally did let her discover for herself that she would one day be Queen of England, Victorias response was, Then I will be good! Her life would be controlled by her position. (Matthew 13:31-32) He used the mustard seed to teach His disciples an important lesson about faith and victory. If you are still the same miserable crosspatch, set on your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you. Too many people are trusting Christ for the power to save their souls and not trusting Him for the power to live day by day. From phos; to shed rays, i.e. The verb belonging to this is kleroo, to draw lots, apportion by lot (only in Eph 1:11-note, Heb 1:4-note). No sin, no corruption, no devils in hell nor sinners upon earth, can stay the hand of God's grace when it intends to convert a man. Thats amazing. Our society has been enamored with the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, especially since the influx of Eastern thought into the West during the 1960s. What did Paul ask? Gods gifts and his call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). Mark 12:30+ 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. (Mornings with Tozer: Daily Devotional Readings). Usually ischus denotes power, might, strength, ability. Ancient understanding is often linked to other kinds of power or authority (e.g., dunamis, exousia; cf. Therefore, has the meaning of strength, might, dominion, mastery.(Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Kratos - 12v -Lk. To understand it, you must continually ask God to enlighten the eyes of your heart. But as far as our inheritance of God's grace is concerned, there are no preferences, no step-children's portions, no arbitrary distinctions. (cf Ps 42:1, Mt 5:6+, 1Pe 2:2+). Megethos in the Septuagint -Ex. We need to go back and read the manual carefully, asking God to give us His wisdom and understanding. He prayed that they might be enlightened so that experientially they might truly possess their possessions! 1986. 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+). 19:11; Ezek. "and to earnestly desire to walk worthy of the calling to which they have been called, motivated by the "hope of His calling". As priests, these sons certainly understood the facts about God, but they did not have a relationship with him. 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. 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. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. I see the old has passed away 9:23; 10:12; 15:10, 13; 16:19; 20:5; 23:10; 27:5; 32:17; 49:16; 51:15, 53; Lam. (Hurley, V. Speaker's Sourcebook of New Illustrations Dallas: Word Publishers). He reminded us of the motivation behind prayercommunicating with the One who is in control of all things. They will give us the strength to persevere in godliness. Paul referred to this when he told the Colossians that God's power "worketh in me mightily" (1:29). THOUGHT There will never be a day when God's power is not sufficient to accomplish what God purposes in us and through us to the praise of His glory (what He does in and through us will be seen by others who give Him praise and glory because they realize that it is a supernatural not natural work!) Might (2479) (ischus) (see note by Wayne Barber ischus) refers to power as an enduement. Ischus is the inherent ability which stresses the factuality of the ability, not necessarily the accomplishment. 8:3839)! Paul saw fit to teach simple believers, many of whom were slaves, the great doctrines of Romans and Ephesians and his other letters. Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, were a free peoplefree of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. "That you will know" Recall Paul's pronouncement of truth in Colossians 1:27 that believers (Jews and Gentiles) now have Christ in them and that this is their hope of glory. (See the Three Tenses of Salvation), Lehman Strauss- And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe (1:19). Vine comments - Eido/oida, to know, suggests intelligent perception, in contrast to ginsk which indicates progressive knowledge. For less than $5/mo. 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. (Bible Knowledge Commentary), In another note Hoehner writes that "The word kleronomia occurred in Eph 1:14 and basically means property, possession, or inheritance.
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