ephesians 1:18 the message

29:1113). Knowing that, we should live as His special people. 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? 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. 1:18) (ED: I WOULD SAY THIS IS ALSO THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT). For fifteen years the Romans defended their homeland against the brilliant Carthaginianand could never drive him out. Of course, all these blessings are only for those who meet the conditions set forth in Eph 1:1-2 (ED: THOSE WHO BELIEVE). She pursues more information and educates herself as the burden grows stronger. Comment: Here they would see and they would know beyond a shadow of a doubt about Jesus' authority. In the parallel prayer in Colossians 1:11-12, Paul prays that we would be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. In other words, Gods glorious, mighty power enables us to endure trials steadfastly, patiently, and joyously, with a thankful heart to the Father. Many of us skim the manual quickly (at best), or never bother to read it at all. The four words are dunamis, energeia, ischus and kratos. The Lord pursued His disobedient servant until Jonah submitted himself to the call. A day is as a thousand years. I never heard such a sermon in all my lifeEphesians 1:18. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). Rely on His grace and strength in doing so. 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+). 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. And as you pause to ponder, you are in effect beginning to practice the blessed discipline of Biblical Meditation. In accordance (2596) (kata) not out of but according to. ", Luke 10:27+ And he answered and said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. Or. It shows that the believers are valuable to God because he purchased them in order to inherit them. Acts 26:18+ to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.. Some are called to the political arena or to end human trafficking. Hebrews 10:32+ But remember (present imperativeseeour need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings. We have it all now, and we will have it throughout eternity." A certain rabbi, Bar Kappara, said, The soul and the Torah are compared to a lamp. Sometimes familiarly with the glorious superlatives of our heavenly calling, and the eternal hope of glory that is set before us, causes our eyes to become dimmed and our hearts to become complacent. Heart (2588) (kardia) is most often used in the Bible not of the literal organ that circulates blood in our body. All believers have been called by grace, out of darkness into His glorious light. Our Lord gave us an object lesson on this truth when He spoke about faith as a grain of mustard seed. Observe, Those who have their eyes opened, and have some understanding in the things of God, have need to be more and more enlightened, and to . 6:14; 16:5f, 9, 15, 17, 19, 30; Ruth 2:1; 1 Sam. KJV And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. (Ephesians 1:19) We are bidden to follow our Master in his up ward track, and to sit with Him, in daily happy experience, where He is already seated at the right hand of God. 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. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might. 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. There could be no more, and it is foolish and presumptuous to ask for more. Ephesians 1:18 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 (NASB: Lockman). The text is clear! Eido/oida is a perception, a being aware of, an understanding, an intuitive knowledge which in the case of believers can only be given by the Holy Spirit. 3:20). (play "The Solid Rock"), Latter in Ephesians, Paul reminded the Gentile believers that in Christ they "were called in one hope of your calling (Eph 4:4+). Bend the whole energy of your powers to realize your election as a child of God; rise to the occasion every time. --DJD. The analogy that we have quoted, however, fails us utterly in its final working out. 1:18; Eph. It takes far more faith to encounter and endure the battles of the Christian life than it did to trust Christ and be born again. ESV and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might. The fact that God exerted such mighty power to save us implies that His same mighty power will keep us. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Paul does not pray, Lord, give them power. He prays, Lord, help their spiritual eyes see, and appropriate the power they already have resident within. The incomprehensible, dynamic power of the resurrected Christ is already in us. ), "What I do you do not realize (eido- know beyond a shadow of a doubt) now, but you shall understand (ginosko- understand by your experience) hereafter. 13-14) writes, When she was young, Victoria was shielded from the fact that she would be the next ruling monarch of England lest this knowledge spoil her. Peering around, he studied Rader. Nothing will rob you of your assurance quicker than unconfessed sin. Therefore, not only do we have an inheritance (Eph 1:14) but He also has an inheritance (Eph 1:18). And I see my past has been redeemed 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; . A little spark of accomplishment 6:10-13). Further, perfectadverbial participles are usually causal in NT Greek. Faith and Riches - Do you want to be rich? As Fuller listened, he suddenly recognized his own spiritual blindness. Proud member NET NOTE -The perfect participle pephotismenous (ENLIGHTENED) may either be part of the prayer ("that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened") or part of the basis of the prayer ("since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened"). 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. O child of God, thy estate has been procured at the cost of blood and tears; but thou didst not buy it! 1:19). This he did altogether apart from any goodness in them at the time, or any goodness which he foresaw in them. 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). In Ephesians 1:18, Paul wrote, I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling (NASB). 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. THOUGHT - Beloved, there is a powerful principle taught in this section. (See the Three Tenses of Salvation), Lehman Strauss- And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe (1:19). (see Ephesians MacArthur New Testament Commentary), Old fashioned Holy Ghost power is the need of the day. 1 Clem. Why would he be praying for this "Aha" enlightenment? Commentators tell us that they can distinguish differences of meaning between the words, in that the first of them is the more active and outward, and the last of them is the more inward. The soul, as is written, The soul of man is the lamp of the Lord (Prov. To shine or to brighten up. Hebrews 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. In none of these prayers does Paul request material things. 1:4). Salvation is not a joint project, where we teamed up with God to bring it about. The emphasis is not on that which is little, but rather that which starts out small and grows into something bigger and stronger. But prayer meetings often slip to the bottom of attendance records. Thus we are His portion or inheritance which He will finally and ultimately possess throughout eternity. (John 8:55). We are mean enough to wish to make all we can of God, and to give Him as little as possible of ourselves. Joshua THOUGHT: When you open your Bible, ask the Author to open your heart! 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. It is interesting to note that photizo (enlightened) was used by the pagan Mystery religions as a technical term for the rite of initiation into their inner secrets! Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16). Titus The contrast between the two verbs is illustrated in John 8:55, Ye have not known Him [ginsk, you have not entered upon the knowledge]: but I know Him (oida, that is, I have perfect knowledge of Him). 1:31; 2:10, 19, 21; 3:1; 10:13, 33; 11:2; 23:4, 11; 28:6; 29:2; 30:15; 33:11, 13; 37:3; 40:9f, 26, 29, 31; 41:1; 42:13; 44:12; 45:1; 47:5, 9; 49:4f, 26; 51:9; 52:1; 58:1; 61:6; 62:8; 63:1, 15; Jer. In Ephesians 1:19 Paul focuses on one key feature of Gods power: His ability to secure the salvation of His people. 4 Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Hope for believers is not the worlds wishful thinking, but the absolute certainty that God will make true what he has promised. They must be revealed and as John MacArthur says "They are revealed only to those who love Him." We are His own possession. 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. In the NT the idea of chance attaching to the lot is eliminated for all believers we inherit all spiritual blessings in Christ. Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the privilege of being His child. 2:1416). She asks her Bible study group to pray with her about the matter. Hence, the translation takes the participle to form a part of the basis for the prayer. 1:6; Rev. But those who do not make use of God's available power live miserable, defeated lives. WHAT ARE THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS: tis o ploutos tes doxes tes kleronomias autou en tois hagiois: There are two ways to interpret "the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (1) The saints are His inheritance He considers a treasure of incomparable worth! he prays that they may come to the full knowledge and possession thereof in Christ. (Matthew 13:31-32) He used the mustard seed to teach His disciples an important lesson about faith and victory. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The average ministry is fueled by the flesh. And he did so with great expectations. The heart is the inner man, including the emotion and will; it is the whole self, mans inward being. It was Paul who rejoiced in the confident hope that we have in Christ Jesus and he longed that others too would come to a real understanding of the incomparable riches of His grace which is expressed in his kindness towards us in Christ Jesus, and so Paul prays that the eyes of our heart may be enlightened in order that we may know the hope to which God has called us - the riches of His glorious inheritance in US - His holy, called-out people. This seemed to me very extraordinary. Paul's prayer that they come to intuitively, absolutely know the hope of their calling is in marked contrast to their former state as idol worshipping pagans who were without "hope and without God in the world." If youre not happy at this moment, neither will you be with a change of location, salary, or ministry. But in Hebrew and Greek thinking, the heart was considered the seat of knowledge, thinking, and understanding. free! . 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. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. 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. Living in the light of Your goodness It is energetic power, energy put forth or energy put in operation. How might Pauls response influence you when you face difficulties? (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith), John MacArthur- UNDERSTANDING YOUR CALLING. But there is also the effectual call that always accomplishes Gods purpose of saving His chosen people. Since land was divided by lot, probably in the framework of common use of the fields, kleros came to mean a share, land received by lot, plot of land, and finally inheritance. To each the conception of looking onward is attached; to the "calling" "hope," to the "inheritance" "glory," to the "power" the exaltation of Christ (and of us with Him; see Ephesians 2:6) to the right hand of God. Paul explained (Col. 1:29), For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Laboring in His power is the antidote to burnout. I hold not its silver and gold; 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. All other ground is sinking sand. | GotQuestions.org, What does God mean when He says, Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)? Hes the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Also, the parallel passage (Col. 1:12) refers to our sharing in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Other Scriptures also refer to the inheritance that is stored up for those who are Gods children through faith in Christ (Acts 20:32; 26:18; Heb. (Revelation 5:12+), Vincent - The radical idea of ischus, might, is that of indwelling strength, especially as embodied: might which inheres in physical powers organized and working under individual direction, as an army: which appears in the resistance of physical organisms, as the earth, against which one dashes himself in vain: which dwells in persons or things, and gives them influence or value: which resides in laws or punishments to make them irresistible. However, kleros, which meant originally lot, stresses more the individual piece of land allotted by lot, whereas kleronomia points more to the fact of inheritance with all its connotations already mentioned. So that you will know what is the hope of His calling- The purpose was that might be supernaturally enabled to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that their calling (their salvation that had occurred in the past) gave them ahope sure not a hope so. 2 Thessalonians Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular. When He ascended, we ascended. 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). B. 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. The church is Christs body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. The boy responded, "I wasn't shy. 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. The work of the Lord languishes for lack of power. but we barred our gates, and fenced our walls against him. But a day is coming -- oh! Daniel 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. Used by permission of NavPress. THE POWER OF GOD IN THE ASCENSION LIFE. To ask God for more power is an affront to His gracious love which already has provided us everything. We are saved by grace, through faith (Eph. Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. Lamentations This is a wonderful truth. (cf Dt 32:9+) And thats what we are. 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. I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. 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. 1:19; Eph. Some have learnt the happy art of receiving and utilizing every square inch if we may use the expression of that knowledge of God which has been revealed to them. God has laid up spiritual blessings for us in his Son the Lord Jesus; but requires us to draw them out and fetch them in by prayer. I am in total agreement with you. 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!) Deuteronomy 9:29+ Yet they are Your people, even Your inheritance, whom You have brought out by Your great power and Your outstretched arm.. I PRAY THAT THE EYES OF YOUR HEART MAY BE ENLIGHTENED: pephotismenous (RPPMPA) tous ophthalmous tes kardias [humon] : Psalms 119:18+ Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. From the grave of mortality to the throne of the eternal God, who only has immortality; from the darkness of the tomb to the insufferable light; from this small world to the centre and metropolis of the universe. The heart is the seat of emotions in some cultures, but in the Greek culture it was not. Why is it important to know what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe? Thats why there is rape and famine, pollution, corruption, and death on our planet. So here he takes view #2, but in the following note below he takes view #1! The conduct (works) doesn't save us but does demonstrate the belief to be genuine. He wants them to fully grasp the nature of all three aspects of their salvation. Why? Thus to believe is to obey and to stake one's life on the truth of the gospel manifesting a lifestyle in accordance with that truth. 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." Isnt that something? It is a beautiful picture, the heart being regarded as having eyes looking out toward God and all of the spiritual blessings that have their source and supply in God's Beloved Son. 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? 19:25; 47:6; 63:17; Jer. Such activity is a far cry from what God intended and expects the local Church to be. 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. 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. What we can get from God rather than what we can be to God is our continued concern. He gives them to us by the handfuls. 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. He gathers out the fruits from among the leaves, that his people might have the best food, and enjoy the richest pleasures. Nor do we need to pray for power to do Gods will. This certainty is provided in Jesus Christ. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition The Lockman Foundation, Related Topics: Spiritual Life, Character of God, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. But where are You?. Finding Christ is like emerging from the cave into the light. Greatness (3174) (megethos from megas = strong, great) refers to magnitude (great size or extent), greatness. Ephesians 1:18 Context. Read the Bible, discover plans, and seek God every day. ", 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. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35+); empowered by the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:16+, Lk 4:14+); filled with and led by the Holy Spirit (Mt 4:1+, Lk 4:1+). All rights reserved. The key to overcoming a troubled, perplexed, stressed heart is to focus on the hope of His calling, on whats ahead, on heaven. Galatians For we saw (eido) His star in the east, and have come to worship Him." THOUGHT - Believers in Christ are privileged to worship the Truth personified and consummated in Christ Jesus! Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Letters: Ephesians 1:18 Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened (Ephes. Put those deficiencies together and you have the reason why we are dissatisfied and empty. If we do walk in the Spirit we will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. The better we truly know the "hope of His calling", What made the difference? A marvellous lift was there! The deadline for submitting an application for a higher pension has been extended to May 3 from March 3.. Employees who were in service prior to September 1, 2014, and continued to be in service . 11:2; John 14:2526; 16:1214). Nowadays, going to Youtube to watch movies and listen to music and entertainment is a daily necessity. But now Rader was fighting for souls, and as he stood to speak he proclaimed his text, Ephesians 1:18. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Energeia - 7v -Eph. This is the same mighty power, NLT: I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe Him. As stated above, because of Christ's work for us on the Cross means that in light of the truth that believers have"been justified (declared righteous or in right standing before God, acquitted of our sins) by faith, we have peace with God (cf peace "of" God in Php 4:6-7+where peace depends on how we respond to our circumstances, testings, etc, and if we do by walking in the Spirit as commanded in Gal 5:16+, He gives us peace of God, the fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5:22+) through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand (perfect tense speaks of the permanence or abiding nature of this condition) and we exult (continually boast, rejoice) in hope of the glory of God ( = when we see Jesus face to face - 1Jn 3:2-3+)." The person who has received Christ is a new creation. So the dynamo of Christian living is within the believer because God is within the believer. God may. Setup File Name: Adobe_Premiere_Pro_v23.2..69.rar. Do we not remember that glorious hour when He carried our hearts by storm? 2:12) as, strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.. The same continuous current of His mighty power stands available to the faithful, to all who will believe. Notice here-. 3:9 = "and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery"; 2 Tim. Only here in the NT (hapax legomenon)BDAG -1. quality of exceeding a standard involving physical magnitude (size),2. quality of exceeding a standard of excellence, greatness.". This simple discipline will serve to slow you down and allow you to more actively engage the text which facilitates more effective interaction with your Teacher the Spirit, the Author of the text!

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