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. What prerogatives did David attribute to God (vv. She loves small children, and what she learns pricks her heart as nothing else has. 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." I have riches of value untold. Here Paul in effect prays that they would come to a beyond the shadow of a doubt knowledge of the hope of their calling, God's inheritance in them and their power. The salutation is in Eph 1:2, which is common to all his epistles: and in Eph 1:3, is the thanksgiving to God, as the God and Father of Christ, for spiritual blessings in Christ in general; and then he proceeds to particulars, and begins with election, which is represented as an act of God the Father, as of particular persons, as done in Christ, and from the foundation of the world, the end of which is perfect holiness and love, Eph 1:4, and which is further illustrated under the name of predestination; the blessing which that is an appointment to, is the adoption of children; the moving cause of it, is the good pleasure of the divine will; the instrumental cause, or means, is Christ Jesus; the end with God is for himself, Eph 1:5, and which, in the next verse, is explained of the glory of his grace; to which grace, acceptance with him in Christ is owing; and which is another spiritual blessing, or a branch of election and predestination, Eph 1:6. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. Spirit, soul, and body must be freely yielded to the great Husbandman. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. I want this day to be as a thousand years for you. In referring to those who believe Paul goes beyond the initial act of faith in God for salvation and speaks of a continuing and growing faith. As we experience God's power in our own lives, we can encourage others. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:1820). But those who do not make use of God's available power live miserable, defeated lives. 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. In all those ways the Holy Spirit empowers Gods children. Too many people are trusting Christ for the power to save their souls and not trusting Him for the power to live day by day. A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. 1:9), God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. Knowing that you are saved because in eternity God purposed to save you and that His purpose is certain, will give you assurance you when youre struggling with doubt or failure. The new has come, Now I have resurrection power living on the inside After Jonah was back on dry land, the word of the Lord came to him again with the same call, giving him another chance to obey. In his prayer for the Ephesians, Paul asked God to enlighten their eyes so they could better understand the message encoded in His Word. Thus we know that He will fulfill all of His promises to us. (Jon Courson's Application Commentary). The faith that saves is not the faith whereby we live the victorious Christian life. These things are brought about by the power of God for the believer. Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural. All who receive it respond in faith. 1 John And many a life that might grow rich in its heritage of God is dwindled and marred, because it sets a limitation on God's heritage of itself. Ep). What shall we say of those who think that conversion is wrought by the free will of man, and is due to his own betterness of disposition? 31:5; Ezek. 8:30), And these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. That sequence is certain! 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. Software Full Name: Adobe Premiere Pro 2023. Because God's resurrection power continues to work in us, it helps us (ED: MORE ACCURATELY IT ENABLES US! The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. He prayed that they might be enlightened so that experientially they might truly possess their possessions! 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. 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. What a transformation took place in Peters life between the end of the Gospels and the beginning of Acts. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Once on the mission field, he is willing to suffer hardships and separation from family and friends because the call of God is his greatest motivation. Just before His ascension Jesus assured the disciples, You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you (Acts 1:8), an enduement every believer receives at the time he is saved. 36.2; 59.3). Thayer summarizes kleronomia as (1) an inheritance, property received (or to be received) by inheritance, or (2) what is given to one as a possession. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. 14:13, 17; 24:18; Deut. It is a free gift, and yet we have a right to it. Did you see it? It refers to the inherent strength which displays itself in the rule over others. Deuteronomy 9:29+ Yet they are Your people, even Your inheritance, whom You have brought out by Your great power and Your outstretched arm.. Nor do we need to pray for power to do Gods will. TECHNICAL NOTE - There are 25 compounds with huper in the NT, and 16 are found only in the Pauline Epistles. . He does not tell us, but other words in this letter, in the other great prayer which it contains, may help us to supply the missing words. In none of these prayers does Paul request material things. He also gives us the powerthe enablementto practice the truth (Eph. (Eerdmans Publishing- usedby permission), It is difficult to give a clear distinction between the 3 Greek words that expand on the meaning of "the surpassing greatness of His power (dunamis)", but in simple terms it pictures the piling up of similar terms in an attempt to convey the magnitude and capability of God's incomprehensible, infinite power. No spendthrift hand can scatter or over-spend its treasures. It is one of ourselves who has strength enough to bear the burden of the glory, one of ourselves who can stand within the blaze of encircling and indwelling Divinity and be unconsumed. Working, strength, and might or mighty further describe this power. We have been called by grace, to glory. They don't deliver the life-transforming power they promise. (THE MEASURE OF IMMEASURABLE POWER), Surpassing (5235) (huperballo from hupr = above + bllo = cast) literally means to throw beyond the usual mark and figuratively means to excel or surpass. (The Immeasurable Greatness of His Power Toward Us). To understand it, you must continually ask God to enlighten the eyes of your heart. (Bible Knowledge Background Commentary). The boy responded, "I wasn't shy. 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.' 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.. We have been called by grace, to glory. But Ephesians emphasizes God's inheritance in the saints. The possibilities of human nature are manifest there. 2 Thessalonians Ask Him to impress on your heart the blessings and responsibilities of your calling. ", etc (See 5W/H questions). You have given us freedom, my chains are gone Zina21 March 3, 2023, 9:29pm 10. THOUGHT - Is my life a living epistle, a vibrant testimony to God's supernatural power? When we know them in the head and not the heart, we are simply "smarter sinners" but when we know them in our heart, we will become more like our Savior. Eph 1:21+ far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. his incomparably great power for us who believe. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened By the Spirit of God already, to see the exceeding sinfulness of sin; the insufficiency of their own righteousness; the beauty, glory, fulness, and suitableness of Christ, as a Saviour; the excellency, truth, and usefulness of the doctrines of the Gospel; in which their understandings were before dark, but now had light into them: wherefore these words are not to be considered as part of the apostle's petitions, but rather as what was taken for granted by him; and are to be put into a parenthesis, and the following words to be joined in connection with the preceding verse; unless it should be thought, that the apostle prays for greater illuminations, and for more spiritual light, and that the eyes of their understandings might be more and more enlightened; the phrase, (lkvh Nye) , (omma thv dianoiav) , "the eye of the understanding", is Rabbinical, and often to be met with in Jewish writings F6; the Alexandrian copy, and several others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read, "the eyes of your heart"; and to, (twbblh ynye) , "the eyes of the hearts, or minds", is a phrase used by the Jewish writers F7: that ye may know what is the hope of his calling; by which is meant, the effectual calling of the saints; which is not a call to an office, or a call merely by the external ministry of the word; but which is internal, special, powerful, high, and heavenly: and this is the calling of God, of which he is the author; who calls with an holy calling, unto eternal glory by Christ Jesus; and which is without repentance: and the hope of this calling, is either eternal happiness, which is the thing hoped for; or Christ, who is the ground and foundation of it; or the grace of hope, which is exercised on both; or all three: for hope of eternal glory, as it is founded on Christ, may be said to be the hope of the calling of God, because it is wrought in the soul at the time of the effectual calling, and what saints are then called to the exercise of; and calling grace, is an encouragement to hope for eternal life; since whom God calls, he justifies and glorifies: and now the apostle prays, that these saints who were called by the grace of God, might know more of Christ, the foundation of their hope; and what that is they are hoping for, and more and more what it is to hope for the same, upon the view of Christ's person, blood, and righteousness: and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; the saints themselves are the Lord's portion, and the lot of his inheritance, in whom he is, and will be abundantly glorified; but here it rather seems to design the heavenly inheritance before spoken of, of which the Spirit is the earnest; and this is the Lord's, it is of his preparing, and it is his gift, and a very rich and glorious inheritance it is: hence it is not only signified by mansions, and everlasting habitations, by an house, and by a city, but by a kingdom; the riches of grace are preparatory to it, and the riches of glory are comprised in it; and this is in, or among the saints, who only have a right unto it, and a meetness for it; and what this inheritance is, with the riches and glory of it, will not be fully known in this life; and indeed but little of it is known; so that such a petition as this is always proper and pertinent. The ultimate hope for Christians is to be with their Lord (Rom 5:45; 8:20, 2425; 12:12; 15:13; Gal 5:5; Col 1:5; Titus 1:2) and they eagerly wait for his coming, unlike the heathen who have no hope (Eph 2:12; 1 Thess 4:1318; 5:8; Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:3). 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? (Complete Biblical Library - Incredible Resource), ESV Study Bible Power over supernatural forces through magic and the occult was a great concern in ancient Ephesus (Acts 19:19), but the power of the living God in Christ trumps all competing authorities (Acts 19:20). Numbers Dunamis - 119x in 115v - Here are Paul's uses of dunamis in Ephesians Eph 1:19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. Knowing these truths in a deeper, more intuitive way, you will be empowered by His Spirit to stand firm on Who He is and how faithful He will be to all of His promises towards you. 1920).[72]. Who by the power of God are guarded through faith. "Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him." Look from the place where thou art, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for all this land is given to thee! 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. And so they liken them to fruit and branch and root; but we need simply say that the gathering together of words so nearly co-extensive in their meaning is witness to the effort to condense the infinite within the bounds of human tongue, to speak the unspeakable; and that these reiterated expressions, like the blows of the billows that succeed one another on the beach, are hints of the force of the infinite ocean that lies behind 'According to the working of the strength of the might which He wrought in Christ' - the Resurrection, the Ascension, the session at the right hand of God, the rule over all creatures, and the exaltation above all things on earth or in the heavens - these are the facts which the Apostle brings before us as the pattern-works, the chefs-d'oeuvre of the power that is operating in all Christians. Some commentators see His inheritance as a reference to believers, who are Gods inheritance or special possession (Eph 1:14). Undefiled! There is no way for sinful men and women to find their way into Gods presence unless He reveals Himself and appears to us. Now I have resurrection power living on the inside Compatibility Mechanical: 64 Bit (x64) a patrimony or a possession. These include truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. (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. A little spark of accomplishment NET and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength. Hosea Perhaps he perceived a power shortage in the Ephesians saints! In Ephesians 1:19 and Ephesians 6:10, ischus describes the strength of God bestowed upon believers. God is far more involved with His universe than some would like to think. Savor each moment. Either way you interpret this phrase, whether we are heirs to a vast fortune in heaven or whether we are Gods special inheritance (both are true), the application is the same. How much divine energy is at my disposal? Herein lies the means of victory! 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. As we develop sensitivity to His voice, we move forward with what we know. It would have been a tall prayer if Paul had prayed that we would know Gods inheritance in the saints. The conduct (works) doesn't save us but does demonstrate the belief to be genuine. 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. Jesus used the word in this sense when He said, Many are called, but few are chosen (Matt. They dont know the reality of heaven. Jesus was not teaching us that a little faith could accomplish great things. How much spiritual strength is available for me in my daily life? God called the entire nation of Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). Scripture speaks of two kinds of callings: the gospel or general call, and the effectual or specific call. The practical application of this is that your salvation does not rest on your choosing Christ, but rather on His choosing you. Reprinted by permission. According to Jeremiah 9:2324. Victory is ours! Sometimes both terms are used interchangeably for nahlh (e.g. It is equivalent to "the energy of the strength of his might, which He energized in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at his own right hand in the heavenlies.". 1 Clem. The passive voice indicates that this action is performed on the subject by an outside source, clearly implying the work of the Holy Spirit (aka divine passive). Dr. Hammond thinks it was written about the year 58, and Dr. Lightfoot places it in 59, and the fifth year of Nero. (Eph 1:3). They are the real eyes for discerning the nature of issues important to God. of Oh! 8:30), the God who predestined you and called you will also glorify you. "Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. " The eyes of our hearts refers to our total inner person, which includes the intellect, the emotions, and the will. What power! The same limitless power that created, sustains, and controls the universe saved you and keeps you saved. 1:16). In His devotional on Dt 32:9 Spurgeon asks "How are they his? 17 But I do more than thank. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. So pray for others and for yourself, that God will enlighten the eyes of your heart through His Word so that you will know what is the hope of His calling. Do believers really have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:1920)? It sounds like religious hype. We were designed before the foundation of the world to be His workmanship, glorifying Him as we bring forth the fruit He desires (Ephesians 1:45;2:10). 6:9; 7:9; 8:7; Joel 2:22; Amos 2:14; 3:11; 5:9; 6:13; Mic.

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