Nicole Kushner Meyer, Articles E

Only when we know who we really are can we live like who we are. 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. The four words are dunamis, energeia, ischus and kratos. We have it all now, and we will have it throughout eternity." 28:19; Acts 17:3031). Nu. The eyes of your heart will be enlightened! Paul says this enlightenment is abiding and permanent state (See previous noteon what this means regarding the translation). Rom. 1 John Glorified in the life that is life indeed. It is simply providing hope and certainty for the believer, who has assurance because of the power that raised Jesus from the dead. Exodus 31:5; Ezek. 1:18; Eph. Listen to his arguments here. His power is to us-ward who believe (Eph. In summary, Paul is praying for one of the things these believers need to fully understand and to deeply realize -- the hope of God's calling. 6:9; 7:9; 8:7; Joel 2:22; Amos 2:14; 3:11; 5:9; 6:13; Mic. You have given us freedom, my chains are gone For example, a young nursery worker may read about babies languishing in Romanian orphanages. (Bible Knowledge Background Commentary). It was everlasting power. Dr. Hammond thinks it was written about the year 58, and Dr. Lightfoot places it in 59, and the fifth year of Nero. What does this "working of the strength of His might" look like? It means to attain a degree that extraordinarily exceeds a point on a scale of extent. We are not in heaven yet; but we are as safe as if we were. For years, Ive been hearing Jesus could come at any time. What made the difference? As Paul puts it (2 Tim. God's power goes far beyond all other power. TECHNICAL NOTE - There are 25 compounds with huper in the NT, and 16 are found only in the Pauline Epistles. We are dearer to Him than all the worlds He has ever made; more precious than all His other creation. Are you working it out with your tongue, and your brain and your nerves? Wiersbe - In the prison prayers of Paul (Eph. This is amazing grace indeed! A marvellous lift was there! There is no mortgage on his estate; no suits can be raised by opposing claimants, the price was paid in open court (1Co 6:20, Rev 5:9), and the Church is the Lord's freehold for ever. 1:19; Eph. 2:14). But then we cant figure out why this stupid product doesnt work right! Others are called to be pastors, teachers, worship leaders, Bible translators, or to a host of other avenues that honor the Lord. Eph 4:4). So that Paul portrays the heart as having eyes to see and by seeing to gain knowledge. But I do more than thank. From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. Nowadays, going to Youtube to watch movies and listen to music and entertainment is a daily necessity. 10:13; Eph. 15-19 That's 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 couldn't stop thanking God for youevery time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. So we, being raised from the dead, go not back to our dead works nor to our old corruptions, but we live unto God. 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. (Hurley, V. Speaker's Sourcebook of New Illustrations Dallas: Word Publishers). 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+). 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! For Further Study: Read 2 Corinthians 1112. There must be no reserve put on any part of our being. 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). Paul applies this truth that we are God's inheritance in his letter to the Corinthians writing Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 10:16; 51:19; etc.). I dont blame you for feeling that way. They are not only his by choice, but by purchase. In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul provided a wonderful starting point. We as His followers, can best imitate our Lord by learning to relinquish self reliance and instead relying on God's power which is manifest and effective through His Spirit in us, as we seek to continually be filled with Him (Eph 5:18+) and to walk by Him (Gal 5:16+). 1 Clem. 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). Eido/oida is not so much that which is known by experience as an intuitive insight that is drilled into one's heart. He bought the world to get you. But even though he has reached it, several years must pass before he can understand its value, or compel it to minister, with all its products, to his need. Thats why there is rape and famine, pollution, corruption, and death on our planet. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular. We have been called by grace, to glory. Amazing grace! Note that all three clauses (hope, inheritance, power) are linked to the verb "will know". 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. (2) The other view is that the inheritance means all that we will inherit in Christ. As we develop sensitivity to His voice, we move forward with what we know. Strength (2904) (kratos) refers to manifested power or power that is put forth in action. Paul previously prays that the Ephesians would understand the hope, or certainty, of their calling and future inheritance (Ephesians 1:18). THOUGHT - MacArthur's comment makes "sense" because if you love Him, you will obey Him (Jn 14:15) and (Spirit enabled) obedience to Him opens the "windows of heaven" to have spiritual blessings poured out (in this case enlightenment) from Him. The power mentioned inEphesians 1:1920is continually attributed to God, not us. It gives off light, but it doesnt strike anything in particular. Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17, Psalms 121:3, Philippians 4:19, James 1:17, Ephesians 1:3, Revelation 21:9, Romans 8:21-26, . He wants you to know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power toward you. Thats too tedious, and besides, we think that were smart enough to figure this out without reading the directions. Finally, the context both here and throughout Ephesians seems to emphasize the motif of light as a property belonging to believers. Probably, ere long the whole will have been opened up to European civilization and commerce. Some are called to the political arena or to end human trafficking. Look from the place where thou art, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for all this land is given to thee! "For we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God." According to Jeremiah 9:2324. Don't you think it's time that the people of God begin to understand and to exercise Kingdom Authority? 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. ', Mark 12:33+ and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. But because Israel rejected that call and followed idols, they never flourished in the way God wanted to prosper them. Paul says that hope ultimately is a person "Christ Jesusour hope" (1Timothy 1:1, cp Col 1:27+). Then a distant aunt, unsolicited, sends her a sum of money, which happens to be the exact amount needed for airfare. Thus here Paul is emphasizing Gods power that already saved us rather than the power that He gives to sustain us. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. Now back to Paul's prayer, the point is that when the Holy Spirit opens the spiritual eyes of the heart of Paul's readers, they will be able to perceive and to know these great truths intuitively with a positive knowledge beyond a chance of a doubt. 1:19; Eph. The hope of your calling is grounded in Gods promises and in Christs accomplishments. For less than $5/mo. Thus we are His portion or inheritance which He will finally and ultimately possess throughout eternity. Consequently, they are constantly striving for material things and are continually chasing carnal pursuits. 1:1523; 3:1421; Phil. It goes out to all sinners, but not all who hear it respond in faith. THESE ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORKING OF THE STRENGTH OF HIS MIGHT: kata ten energeian tou kratous tes ischuos autou: INDESCRIBABLY TRANSCENDENT Why? The difference that obtains between Christians is not one of grace, but of the use we make of grace. If not, why not? Vincent has a discussion of two related words ischus and dunamis (in his note on 2 Peter 2:11) -. 2 Kings What prerogatives did David attribute to God (vv. That we might look beyond appearances, to see the church as God doesa people transformed to display His glory, unspeakably precious to Him (Ep 1:18). Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. All believers have been called by grace, out of darkness into His glorious light. How wonderful to know that each moment of the day God is working within you in such a way. (see note), Christ, "the hope of glory," living in us (Colossians 1:27). Second is energeia (working), the energizing force of the Spirit that empowers believers to live for the Lord. I have riches of value untold. Is this not every believers great challenge and need?! Cold, with the coldness of death. We belong to Somebody. But what a high and lofty ideal the apostle sets forth. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. He wishes this knowledge of God would impact the minds and hearts of every child of God. That there are diversities of gift is manifest; and there always will be a vast difference between those who have five talents and those who have two, in the amount of work done for the kingdom of God. free! he prays that they may come to the full knowledge and possession thereof in Christ. The gospel is dynamic, Gods dynamic, and so is powerful in the transformation of human lives. It conveys the idea of effective, productive energy, rather than that which is raw and unbridled. Has God given this power to the believer according toEphesians 1:1920? To be called by God is to be chosen by God for certain purposes. Knowing God has given you His very best in Christ (Rom. Paul writes to the believers at Rome asking "Or do you not know (eido) what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?" Rather, it is constantly to be praying as you study the Word, Lord, enlighten the eyes of my heart so that I may know, love, and obey You better!. You cannot do anything for your salvation, but you must do something to manifest it, you must work out what God has worked in. What we can get from God rather than what we can be to God is our continued concern. Such is the case in Matthew 13. She discusses her burden with her pastor and her spiritual mentor. Paul writes (Rom. 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. 7:35; 2 Ki. 1 Peter 4:11 (note) Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. ANSWER -The Bible often mentions people being called by God for a specific ministry or service. Odes Sol. You have given us freedom, That I'm dressed in Your royalty This time, Jonah did. Sunday I went up to Los Angeles and heard Paul Rader preach. With that thought in mind a more accurate rendering is that of Wuest who has "the eyes of your heart being in an enlightened state with a view to your knowing what is the hope of His calling." (Dt 32:9+). The same limitless power that created, sustains, and controls the universe saved you and keeps you saved. The church, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, is similarly called: You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10). We can read the promises of God and be certain of Gods ability to fulfill those promises, even those of redemption, resurrection, andglorification. No. Start for FREE. 4:18), being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart. In other words, sin blinds the minds of unbelievers and renders them incapable of understanding the truth of the gospel, unless God opens their blind eyes (2 Cor. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). John MacArthur makes the excellent, Biblically logical point that "Until we comprehend who we truly are in Jesus Christ, it is impossible to live an obedient and fulfilling life. 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.". Genesis 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.