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. It is in our personal lives. Commentary on Ephesians 1:15-23. Consequently, they are constantly striving for material things and are continually chasing carnal pursuits. When you begin to understand what is the hope of His calling in your life, the assurance and certainty associated with that calling and when you begin to realize that now we only have the earnest of that calling, but that one day well have the full payment, then whatever comes your way you can stand fast on the truth of what God has accomplished for you in Christ in the past, present and future. Conversely, revival cannot come if we are far removed from God. He does everything he can to buy the field in which the treasure is buried. Key in on verse 16 this morning- "in addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.". For example, a young nursery worker may read about babies languishing in Romanian orphanages. Youll not be happy until you know the hope of His calling. 15:10-note). 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. I want this day to be as a thousand years for you. In accordance (2596) (kata) not out of but according to. With His unlimited power, He also raised Jesus Christ from the dead. There is no power shortage, just a shortage of our understanding of what we possess in Christ. He desires that they be aware of the spiritual dimension. 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! The Lord pursued His disobedient servant until Jonah submitted himself to the call. 31:10; Ezek. - 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. WithoutGodspower, these things would not be possible (seeLuke 18:2627). Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! Setup Type: Offline Installer / Full Standalone Setup. Faith and Riches - Do you want to be rich? 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+. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. God never gives niggardly to His children but according to the (infinite) riches of His grace! This is also apparent when 1Samuel 2:12 says that Elis sons were wicked men who did not know Yahweh. I suppose its all right to pray for that addition to a new Sunday School wing. If we want to know what the Divine Power can make of us, let us turn to look with the eye of faith upon what it has made of Jesus Christ. 2:20). Amos In other words, we are Gods possession, purchased by the blood of Christ. His call now is to all those redeemed by the blood of Jesus to showcase to our world Gods mercy, grace, and salvation (Hebrews 12:14;Matthew 5:16). He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Constable strings these words together writing that "Power (Gr. That's what Paul is praying for here. God demands that we obstinately oppose Satan, as those Romans untiringly harried Hannibal. What made the difference? Are you working it out with your tongue, and your brain and your nerves? 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! This he did altogether apart from any goodness in them at the time, or any goodness which he foresaw in them. (Mark 2:10-11+). Zondervan, Click to read more about your inheritance in Spurgeon's Sermon A Wise Desire, A Day's Journey: 365 Daily Meditations from the Word, Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith, Risen: 50 Reasons Why the Resurrection Changed Everything, Mornings with Tozer: Daily Devotional Readings, Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Aristotle (Rhet., i., 5) says strength (ischus)is the power of moving another as one wills; and that other is to be moved either by drawing or pushing or carrying or pressing or compressing; so that the strong (ho ischuros) is strong for all or for some of these things.. The Greek text may be interpreted in either of two ways. This inheritance will be fully realized in the future. That never can. to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called". 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. In Ephesians 1:314 Paul proclaims the blessings of our salvation. Certainly, there is always the danger of spiritual pride that comes from thinking that you know more than others know. 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. COMMENT - Note how Paul associates our New Creation in Christ (2Co 5:17+) with the creation of the heavens and the earth. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! NET and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength. In 2Co 3:10 = "surpassing glory" and 2Co 9:14 = "surpassing grace." Vine explains that genuine belief is a firm conviction of the truth, a surrender to that truth and a conduct that results from that surrender. And so inspired by the Spirit, Paul emphasizes that God has even more blessings to bestow on His children, the blessing of "resurrection power" so that saved sinners so that we might be enabled to live a supernatural life! Probably, ere long the whole will have been opened up to European civilization and commerce. In either case Pauls point is clear: redemption and its accompanying blessings are so profound that we must have supernatural help to understand them. Energeia isused only of supernatural power in the NT. Well, look, its the power that he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead. God the Father gave the world to Adam. Then ask God to restore to you the joy of your salvation. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. THESE ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORKING OF THE STRENGTH OF HIS MIGHT: kata ten energeian tou kratous tes ischuos autou: INDESCRIBABLY TRANSCENDENT 2 Peter True enlightenment continues to elude many because they have denied its source and have turned to gurus and teachers who have no light to give. 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. 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. Or the funds to go on the radio. To summarize, Paul prayed that we would come to know God more intimatelyin order that we might know the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the saints. 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. (SURPASSING) Exceeding what? As believers in Jesus Christ, we have resurrection power! Prayer meetings that support only one aspect of prayer are imbalanced and can quickly be awash in negativity. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Letters: Ephesians 1:18 Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened (Ephes. But I do more than thank. 1:19). And, though acres vast enough to make an English county are in his possession, rich and loamy soil, or stored with mines of ore, yet he is not sensibly the richer. He cannot give more; He will not give less than Himself. Mighty strength in our inner being, "through His Spirit" (Ephesians 3:16-note). Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 18, 2019 (message contributor) . of each person. (Life Application Study Bible: New Living Translation). 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! In them we see the possibilities of humanity, the ideal for man which God had when He created and breathed His blessing .upon him. us with every (how many?) They have raised harvests of bread out of the Incarnation; and vintages of blood-red grape from the scenes of Gethsemane and Calvary; and pomegranates and all manner of fruit out of the mysteries of the Ascension and the gift of the Holy Ghost. The power of Christ applied in the believers behalf can't be defeated because the Creator's power exceeds that of the evil created beings, Satan and his minions. Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. 4:15). This marvelous faculty of spiritual sight is lacking in the unregenerated man. Hope (1680) (elpis) (See also study on Believer's Blessed Hope) expresses a desire of some good with the expectation of obtaining it. In other words, Paul had prayed (Eph 1:17) that they might have true spiritual insight into God, and then he included the phrase, having the eyes of your heart enlightened (RSV). The Son has accomplished redemption through His death (Ephesians 1:7) and provided the necessary provisions for an inheritance for the believer (verse 11). I knew his hand was bigger than mine." May we learn daily to surrender to the Spirit of Christ, Who energizes our walk, elevating it from a "natural" to a "supernatural" walk. 1:18. It is according to the working (energeian, energetic power, from which comes the Eng. One day our Lord will come again, and we shall all be changed to see Him as He is and to be like Him. The better we truly know the "hope of His calling", Megethos in the Septuagint -Ex. When we make use of these resources, we will experience the mighty power with which God raised Christ from death! Notice that pisteuo is in the present tense which describes those who are continuously believing as for example would be demonstrated by their lifestyle, which is generally (not perfectly) directed God-ward and Heaven-ward (homeward). God 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 believers. Also the verb ischuooIt is good for nothing (Mt. -- Glenn Spencer, Glenn Spencer - Old fashioned Holy Ghost power is the need of the day. Young's Literal: and what the exceeding greatness of His power to us who are believing, according to the working of the power of His might, AND WHAT IS THE SURPASSING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TOWARD US WHO BELIEVE: kai ti to huperballon (PAPNSN) megethos tes dunameos autou eis hemas tous pisteuontas (PAPMPA). 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. Victory is ours! 4:18; 2Co 2:14), and touch (Acts 17:27). 6:4; Heb. Physically, we are here; but, in Christ, we have been raised. On the other hand, eido/oida often refers more to an intuitive knowledge, although this distinction is not always clear cut. To shine or to brighten up. 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). As we step into the lifts which are attached to so many factories and offices, and expect them to bear us upward, never doubting for a moment that they will do it if only we keep in the line of their ascent; so, if we would keep in abiding fellowship with the Holy Spirit--i.e., if we would not wilfully step out of the range of his blessed help--we should find ourselves mounting with wings as eagles, and going from strength to strength. | GotQuestions.org, What does God mean when He says, Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)? (Bible Knowledge Background Commentary). Adrian Rogers on Heaven Will Break Loose! Paul accomplished his work for the Lord through the strength the Lord supplied, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me (Col. 1:29). That power is like the working of his mighty strength, NLT (revised)I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. If not, why not? Then we begin to possess the power that God has already given us in Christ. Jeremiah 1 Peter 3:9not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. The only check that can ever be imposed upon the continuous current of His mighty power to usward is the self-imposed check of unbelief. But if a man died before he could tell someone where his treasure was buried, it would be left in the field until someone stumbled upon it. He is powerless to apprehend spiritual things. He teaches you to recognize and uphold what is excellent so that you will be sincere and blameless before God (Phil. Paul wrote, I am compelled to preach. The end of which is, that those predestinated, redeemed, and adopted ones, should be to the praise and glory of God, Eph 1:12, and who are described as such, who first trusted in Christ upon hearing the Gospel; and after they had believed in him, were sealed by the Holy Spirit, said to be the Spirit of promise, Eph 1:13, and who is also spoken of as the earnest and pledge of the saints' inheritance, and who will continue so until all the people of God are redeemed from the grave in the resurrection morn, which will also issue in the praise and glory of God, Eph 1:14, and now on account of all these blessings of predestination, adoption, redemption, calling, and the sealing of the Spirit; as also, because of their faith in Christ, and love to the saints, these believers were possessed of, the apostle gave thanks, and continued to give thanks to God in his prayers to him, Eph 1:15,16. 18:23, 24.; 32:18, 19.; Josh 17:4; cf. Proverbs 2:14+). God never has museums. 5 Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. In the first instance it means a lot. Don't miss out on this "once in a lifetime" opportunity! This was true for the Ephesians, and it is true for us today. . When we shall see the dead rise from the grave by their own power, then may we expect to see ungodly sinners of their own free will turning to Christ. 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. 28:9; 33:12; 78:62, 71; 106:5, 40; Isa. (Psalm 119:18-see commentaryor related commentary). Joel 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. Further, perfectadverbial participles are usually causal in NT Greek. 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. This same power resides in believers because we are in Christ and He is in us. The prayer moves from God and Christ (Eph 1:17, 20-21) to the Ephesians (Eph 1:17-19) and the church (Eph 1:22-23). -- Ears from Harvested Sheaves. We are the Lords Portion, the Lords Inheritance. THOUGHT: When you open your Bible, ask the Author to open your heart! It can be used of any kind of extraordinary power. Isaiah 46:911is the cornerstone passage that removes all doubt aboutGods sovereignty. But I do more than thank. Revival comes when, no longer satisfied to know about a God in history, we meet the conditions of finding Him in living, personal experience. The church is Christs body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. It seems to be parenthetical, as in the KJV, ASV, and RSV (ED: NRSV = "so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened"). In verse 18 he prays that we will comprehend those great truths, which he summarizes in the phrase, the hope of His calling.. To which is added another, and that is redemption; the author of which is Christ; the price, or procuring and meritorious cause of it is his blood; a branch of which is forgiveness of sins; and the whole is according to the plenteous and free grace of God, Eph 1:7, the entire plan and scheme of which is the produce of abundant wisdom and prudence, Eph 1:8, and is no other than the mystery of the will of God revealed in the Gospel, according to his sovereign will and purpose, Eph 1:9, which lay hid within himself until the fulness of times, or the Gospel dispensation, in which Christ being sent, has gathered all together in himself, Eph 1:10, through whom the saints enjoy the inheritance they are adopted to in predestination, which is the effect of an unfrustrable purpose, and a wise counsel and will, Eph 1:11.