Ephesians 1:18-19 In-Context 16 I couldn't stop thanking God for you - every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. Then he adds (Calvins Commentaries [Baker reprint], on Eph. | GotQuestions.org, What does God mean when He says, Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)? In Ephesians 1:19 Paul focuses on one key feature of Gods power: His ability to secure the salvation of His people. For less than $5/mo. This seemed to me very extraordinary. Kleronomia has the richer associations in the context of salvation history. The heart is the seat of emotions in some cultures, but in the Greek culture it was not. He was sometimes called the New Elijah. In 1916, while pastoring Moody Memorial Church of Chicago, Rader, 30, was asked to preach at Los Angeles Church of the Open Door. Modern maps containing the results Of the explorations of Livingstone, Stanley, Burton, tell another story of river, Savannah, tableland, and of myriads of inhabitants. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. Are you praying the promises of God for yourself and your family and the body of Christ? As believers in Jesus Christ, we have resurrection power! 1:19). But here, Paul is writing to believers (saints, us who believe, 1:18, 19). 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. That is what Paul desires for them and for all believers. Vincent has a discussion of two related words ischus and dunamis (in his note on 2 Peter 2:11) -. Reportedly, Crowfoot put the pass in a leather pouch and wore it around his neck for the rest of his lifebut he never once availed himself of the rights and privileges it spelled out. The object of his prayers is described as the God of Christ, and Father of glory; the petitions to him are for an increase of knowledge of Christ from the Spirit, as a spirit of wisdom and revelation, Eph 1:17, and that they might have a clearer view of the nature of that glory they were called unto, and were hoping for, Eph 1:18, and observe the wonderful display of the power of God in their conversion and faith; which is illustrated by comparing it with that power which was shown in raising Christ from the dead, Eph 1:20, which leads the apostle to take notice of the exaltation of Christ at the right hand of God in heaven, consequent on his resurrection; where he is advanced above angels and men, and has all things in subjection to him for the good of his church, of which he is the head, and which is his body and fulness, Eph 1:21-23. This is what Jesus meant when He said of the people: They seeing see not, and hearing they hear not (Mt 13:13). God the Father gave the world to Adam. Greatness (3174) (megethos from megas = strong, great) refers to magnitude (great size or extent), greatness. 12:29): a mighty famine (Lk15:14): his letters are powerful (2 Cor. This effect in context undoubtedly refers to the ministry of the Holy Spirit Who illuminates spiritual truth to the hearts of believers (See Illumination of the Bible). Later in the letter (chaps. Micah The Holy Spirit reveals truth to us from the Word, and then gives us the wisdom to understand and apply it. 1920).[72]. He said that we never form adequate conceptions of the treasure of the gospel, or if we do, we cant persuade ourselves that these things pertain to us, because they are so far from what we experience. The devil hopes you don't understand this. 6:5 = in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;; Eph. 1 Peter 1:5 says that we are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Jude 24-25 proclaims, Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. God is far more involved with His universe than some would like to think. 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. 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. In favor of this view is the context of Ephesians 1 (verses 3, 11, & 14). What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? That's my prayer, that you'll understand it: "the exceeding greatness of His power" (Ephesians 1:19). 17:6; Ezek. The American Standard Version reads: "the eyes of your heart," not mind. Spurgeon compared the general call of the gospel to the sheet lightning that you see on a summer night. That burden was placed there by the Lord as part of His calling. The Message Compact Bible--soft leather-look, black, The Message//REMIX 2.0, Purple Swirl - Imperfectly Imprinted Bibles, The Message Deluxe Gift Bible--soft leather-look, amethyst gem, The Message of Hope: Discover Meaning and Purpose for Your Life - eBook. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? (Lehman Strauss Commentary Devotional Studies on Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians- online), THOUGHT -May our great, grace filled Father grant each of us His grace to ponder this incredible truth so that it might motivate us, enabledby HisSpirit, to walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called in Christ. I never heard such a sermon in all my lifeEphesians 1:18. Note that Paul writes to living saints (not dead ones), people who have put faith in Christ. 5:2; 12:21, 25, 28, 30; 16:27f; 29:11f; 2 Chr. Also of the angelic powers (Eph1:21; Ro8:38; 1 Pet3:22). Leaning his head on the seat in front of him, he trembled. 7:24; 19:11f, 14; 24:21, 25; 26:11; 27:12; 30:6, 15, 18, 21; 31:18; 32:12, 16, 18, 20, 26, 29ff; 33:28; 34:27; Dan. Not a stain on its pure robes; not a freckle on its leaves; not a taint of miasma on its atmosphere. Hope for believers is not the worlds wishful thinking, but the absolute certainty that God will make true what he has promised. After the supplies had been purchased and were being loaded in the wagon, the owner of the store said to the boy, "Son, you have been such a good boy, I'm going to let you put your hand in the candy jar and get all the candy you can grab." Love will only give itself to love. The "heart" in Scripture speaks of the very center and core of one's life, the seat of thoughts and moral judgments. It always has the meaning of an effective power which does things and which any man can recognize." Certainly, there is always the danger of spiritual pride that comes from thinking that you know more than others know. Then we begin to possess the power that God has already given us in Christ. (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. Setup Size: 8.9 GB. The good news is that God's Word does promise riches to the believer. Resurrection Power. It is in our personal lives. The shadows of secrecy or reserve on either side will blight a friendship in which all the conditions seem perfectly adjusted. 1:19; Eph. However, this is not a new sentence in Greek. There are seminary professors who can exegete the Greek text here, but these glorious truths do not thrill their hearts. This is obvious when the writer of Genesis says that Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived (Gen. 4:1 ESV, emphasis added). I suppose its all right to pray for that addition to a new Sunday School wing. The, the definite article. You have given us freedom, Freedom, You have given us freedom I pray that you may know what is the hope of [Gods] calling (Eph. Living in the light of Your goodness But a treasure far greater is mine; How can we begin to fathom a prayer like that? But with God this shall never be. The first phrase of verse 18 is literally, the eyes of your heart having been enlightened. I understand it to be explaining in more specific detail Pauls words in verse 17, that God would give us a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the true knowledge of Him. To know these spiritual truths, God must open our eyes. Man can supply the energy, enterprise and enthusiasm for things human. Knowing God has given you His very best in Christ (Rom. 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 grace that supplies the wealth, but it is faith that lays hold of the wealth (cp 2Cor 5:7-note). He prayed that they might be enlightened so that experientially they might truly possess their possessions! I have riches of value untold. Leon Tucker wrote the following words back in 1917: "Power is the one thing the church of God needs most and has least. 8:3839). 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). He gives the worldling husks; but he stops to find out the sweet fruits for his people. CD players dont have needles, he said, laughing. Do you think your faith will bring you riches? (Commentary on the New Testament:), Warren Wiersbe - First, enlightenment comes from the Holy Spirit. To give light to, to illuminate. Even though He has given humankind the freedom to make choices, His choices have already been made (Exodus 33:19;Romans 9:1018). Copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. It is possible to excel in mechanics and fail in dynamic. He sealed us with the Holy Spirit so that we might be kept until the day of redemption, absolutely, totally, eternally secure in our salvation. Not with corruptible things, as with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (1Pe 1:18-19), the Lord's portion has been fully redeemed. - see related discussion - A Spirit Filled Church]The Church that multiplies committees and neglects prayer may be fussy, noisy, entertaining and enterprising, but it labours in vain and spends its strength for naught. It sounds idealistic. Paul wrote, I am compelled to preach. Hes not interested in the world. Just as the Jews were formerly Gods chosen inheritance, now His inheritance is in the saints, the church, made up of Jewish and Gentile believers on equal footing. In accordance (2596) (kata) not out of but according to. He speaks of the 'love of Christ which passeth knowledge,' and of God being 'able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.' A strong man (Mt. The hope of His calling points to the certain eternal destiny and future glory of the saints, and especially the fact that these mortal bodies will but on immortality and will forever be like Christ (cf 1Co 15:53+, Ro 8:29-30+ where "glorified" is past tense it is so certain!, Php 3:21+, 1Jn 3:2+). All Christians have the same hope. How does the Spirit enlighten you? This time, Jonah did. Romans 8:24-25 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe - Supernatural power for believers to enable them to live in triumph. 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. In this chapter are contained the inscription of the epistle, the salutation of the persons to whom it is written, the apostle's thanksgiving for blessings received by him, and them; in which the efficient, moving, procuring, and final causes of salvation are taken notice of, and the several parts and branches of it observed; and the whole is concluded with prayers for the Ephesians; in which mention is made of various things to the comfort of the saints, and to the glory of Christ. Numbers Power for You-Today! To find assurance, one must look to the covenant-keeping God and Scripture. "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. When we are faithful to the call to obedience, He can call us to more specific areas (seeLuke 16:10).GotQuestions.org. Ischus is used of angelic power in 2 Peter whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. God's Word promises riches 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. In our struggle with everything that sets itself against the knowledge of God, we have some incredible resources. 28:19; Acts 17:3031). The answer, according to one of the apostle Pauls prayers, is found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Deuteronomy 9:29+ Yet they are Your people, even Your inheritance, whom You have brought out by Your great power and Your outstretched arm..