Ephesians 1:1820. For there is a difference between ability (dunamin) and strength (ischuo). Hoehner on kratos -In the NT it is used twelve times, four times by Paul, twice in Ephesians (1:19; 6:10) and it always has reference to supernatural power: once of the devil (Heb 2:14), and the other eleven times 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. 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 reserved in heaven for you. 10:32; Rev. 5:19 = making melody with your heart to the Lord; Eph. 1.12; Odes Sol. us with every (how many?) There are enemies who want to rob us of our wealth (Eph 1:21; 6:11; 6:12 see notes Ep 1:21; 6:11; 6:12). Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name (1 Chron. (Twenty-First Century Biblical Commentary), MacDonald - We have seen that the source of spiritual illumination is God; the channel is the Holy Spirit; and the supreme subject is the full knowledge of God. 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. He had mercy on whom he would have mercy, and ordained a chosen company unto eternal life; thus, therefore, are they his by his unconstrained election. God miraculously did them both simply by speaking the Word of Truth as Hebrews 11:3+ testifies. It can be used of the power of growth, of the powers of nature, of the power of a drug, of the power of a mans genius. This certainty is provided in Jesus Christ. Paul confidently added that nothing therefore can separate you from Gods love (Rom. 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. The same continuous current of His mighty power stands available to the faithful, to all who will believe. Photizo - 11v -Lk. Also the verb ischuooIt is good for nothing (Mt. (Eph 1:18ESV) Notice how this rendering places the emphasis on God as the One Who "inherits"! 1986. What we can get from God rather than what we can be to God is our continued concern. 20:27) (Deut. How does the Spirit enlighten you? The power which is really at work in Christian men today is in its nature Are you confused now? It is available. 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. Paul was called by God: Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God (Romans 1:1; cf. 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. Those for whom Paul is praying were once "spiritually blind" darkened in their understanding, (Eph 4:18) walking around in "spiritual darkness" as he reminded them of later writing that "you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (Eph 5:8-note). That's my prayer, that you'll understand it: "the exceeding greatness of His power" (Ephesians 1:19). Salvation is not a joint project, where we teamed up with God to bring it about. (Joshua 1:3+) In short, we need to lay hold of the power that resides within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. THOUGHT - Beloved, there is a powerful principle taught in this section. 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. 1 Kings 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 . (Ref), Wiersbe - He is talking about divine dynamic, eternal energy, available to us! Thats why he prayed for our enlightenment (Eph 1:18). Hope for believers is not the worlds wishful thinking, but the absolute certainty that God will make true what he has promised. The occasion of it was the foresight the apostle had of false teachers that would spring up in this church, after his death, and spread their pernicious doctrines, and draw away disciples after them, and do great mischief in the church; wherefore the design of this epistle is to establish the saints in the doctrines of the Gospel, that so they might not be carried away with the errors of the wicked: the subject matter of it is most excellent; it treats of the most sublime doctrines of grace, of divine predestination, and eternal election, of redemption by Christ, and of peace and pardon by his blood, of conversion by the power of efficacious grace, and of salvation by the free grace of God, in opposition to works: it also very largely treats of the nature and usefulness of the Gospel ministry, and of gifts qualifying for it, and of the several duties of religion incumbent on Christians; and the method which is used is exceeding apt and beautiful, for the apostle first begins with the doctrines of the Gospel, which he distinctly handles and explains, and then proceeds to enforce the duties belonging to men, both as men and Christians. 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. NET NOTE has an interesting comment that a paraphrase reads "Since you are enlightened by Gods Spirit, I pray that you may comprehend the hope to which he has called you, the spiritual riches that await the saints in glory, and the spiritual power that is available to the saints now. Thus, the prayer focuses on all three temporal aspects of our salvation as these are embedded in the genitivesthe past (calling), the future (inheritance), and the present (power toward us who believe). I pray that you may know the surpassing greatness of [Gods] power toward us who believe (Eph. NIDNTT says that in classical Greek the root word "kleros is derived from klao, break. So the kindred adjective . Paul wrote, I am compelled to preach. They worship a lie (as do all cults who have exchanged the truth of God for the lie of Satan - cf Ro 1:25+). The hope of His calling is to see Him and be one with Him. 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. God's power goes far beyond all other power. 1986. He will bring fruit out of thy rockiest nature, as the Norwegians raise crops on every scrap of soil on their mountain slopes. Illustration - In 218 b.c. My hope is built on nothing less - 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. BGT [] , , Amplified: By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), (Amplified Bible - Lockman). 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. A little spark of accomplishment These include truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. After salvation, we are further called to grow in Christian virtue and serve God by good works; in fact, it is this maturation process that confirms our calling by God (2 Peter 1:510). He told them they could do anything God wanted them to do through Christ who would strengthen them (Phil. he prays that they may come to the full knowledge and possession thereof in Christ. Hoehner introduces the last section of chapter 1 -Paul prayed that they might know God more intimately in order to comprehend three things. But I do more than thank. On the other hand if I give you a million dollars, I have given to you "according to" or more in proportion to my riches. 36)? But a treasure far greater is mine; Eph 3:20+ Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us (speaking of the power of the Spirit that continually energizes us - see Php 2:13+, cp the prayer in Eph 3:16+!). I never heard such a sermon in all my lifeEphesians 1:18. . Take every opportunity in this long, long day youre in to thank the Father for the opportunity to store up treasure which will make you rich for eternity. Look at our Lords body in the tomb. J C Philpot -It is no great mystery that the Son of God should be exalted to the throne of power. Believe (4100) (pisteuo) refers not just to an intellectual assent to the truths of the gospel but to a saving belief that effects the heart, resulting in a transformed, supernaturally directed conduct based on the truth believed. He let us in on that mystery. We could never defeat these spiritual foes in our own power, but we can through the Spirits power. It will be too depressing, we say to ourselves. Eph 3:16+is another "powerful" (power full - also using dunamis) passage indicating that the Holly Spirit is the Source of this incredible supernatural power (cf Lk 4:14+ = Jesus' pattern for our lives today [1Co 11:1+]!, Acts 1:8+, Ro 15:19+, 1Co 2:4+, 1Th 1:5, Micah 3:8)! | GotQuestions.org, Is there power in the name of Jesus? 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. 8:3839)! 1. By his own sovereign choice. In that verse protected means to keep or guard and reflects Peters confidence that salvation is inviolable. Such enlightenment is crucial because how you perceive your spiritual resources dictates how you live. 2 Thessalonians 2:16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace. Acts 16:14+ A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened (dianoigo) her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. Together we can help each other achieve great things for Him. Another English word dynamite, is derived from dunamis and since dunamis is used by Paul to describe the "power of God", some have suggested that the gospel is "Gods dynamite". Amen. 31:10; Ezek. 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). KJV The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Heart (2588) (kardia) is most often used in the Bible not of the literal organ that circulates blood in our body. Such is the case in Matthew 13. Working, strength, and might or mighty further describe this power. The analogy that we have quoted, however, fails us utterly in its final working out. 2:9; 2 Thess. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). There must be no reserve put on any part of our being. (Lehman Strauss Commentary Devotional Studies on Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians- online). He teaches you to recognize and uphold what is excellent so that you will be sincere and blameless before God (Phil. Nehemiah Do you hunger and thirst for God as a deer does for the water brooks? The text doesnt indicate that we personally have the power to raise the dead or perform other miracles. Read the Bible, discover plans, and seek God every day. And not just for the time being, but forever. We will be perfect in righteousness and in love for God and one another. But His riches are not in the universes that He possesses, nor in the substance of the earth that is His, but in the saints that He purchased at infinite cost, namely, the precious blood of His only begotten Son (I Pet. Proverbs 20:27The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being. If anyone should instill hope and bring out the best in others, it should be the Christian. All rights reserved), The treasures of earth are not mine, O child of God, thy estate has been procured at the cost of blood and tears; but thou didst not buy it! It sounds like religious hype. Psalm 13:3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death. The wealthy devoted their treasure to the cause, and all classes sacrificed everyday amenities for troops in the field. Into the city enters nothing that defiles, or works abomination, or makes a lie. Ephesians 3:19+and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. (SeeThe Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked!). Our salvation from start to finish is due to the surpassing greatness of His power! The fact that God exerted such mighty power to save us implies that His same mighty power will keep us. 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.
The Blame God Game - A 2 Part Message - sermoncentral.com 2:9f; 28:20, 22; 30:4; 2 Sam. As you pray and study Gods Word, He transforms and renews your mind (Rom. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. The heart the seat of the mind and will, and the heart could be taught what the brain could never know (or sadly the converse to know something intellectually but not in one's heart!) The man was powerfully built, and Fuller visualized how he must have looked in the ring. Kleros may be used in the plural, but kleronomia is never so used. This is the miraculous power each believer has experienced at the moment of salvation and surely there is no greater manifestation of God's power than this. One day a man is walking through a field. No one can do the work of God successfully without being filled with the Holy Spirit. It would have been a tall prayer if Paul had prayed that we would know Gods inheritance in the saints. It is said that for many years, he lived on crackers and milk because of stomach troubles caused by worrying about his wealth. Man can supply the energy, enterprise and enthusiasm for things human. 1:3; 2:1; 3:9; Hab.
Ephesians 1:18 M:BCL - your eyes focused and | Biblia If I am a billionaire and I give you ten dollars, I have given you out of my riches, a small portion of my wealth. It was everlasting power. Not even Satan has the power to do that. Note that huperballo is in the present tense indicating that this power is power which continually surpassing or excels all other power! 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. Reprinted by permission. And then look at our Lord now at the right hand of the Father on high. In Ephesians 1:314 Paul proclaims the blessings of our salvation. Compare Peter's opening blessing for his readers in his second epistle Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge (epignosis) of God and of Jesus our Lord 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge (epignosis) of Him Who called us by His own glory and excellence. And remember that this "spiritual journey" is not an "arrival" in this life but is a life long journey (sanctification), albeit it is a journey which is "motivated" by the hope (guaranteed assurance 1Jn 3:2+) of our final arrival one day in the future in twinkling of an eye (glorification - 1Cor 15:52+). 3:24; 4:37; 8:17f; 9:26, 29; 26:8; 32:13; 33:11, 25, 27; Jos. For example, Deuteronomy 32:9 says, For the Lords portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance. Psalm 33:12 proclaims, Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. (See, also, Deut. 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.