Vine comments - Eido/oida, to know, suggests intelligent perception, in contrast to ginsk which indicates progressive knowledge. (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. 14:13, 17; 24:18; Deut. (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith), John MacArthur - MAINTAINING A CLEAR PERSPECTIVE. (Titus 2:11-14-See notes Titus 2:11; 2:12; 2:13; 2:14). No, not at all. They sigh at the foot of cliffs they cannot scale. He let us in on that mystery. 20-23All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. We may not be able to conquer Satan all at once, but he cannot conquer us at all. But their willingness to persevere assured victory, for Hannibal could never conquer them. But what a high and lofty ideal the apostle sets forth. Might (2479) (ischus) (see note by Wayne Barber ischus) refers to power as an enduement. Ischus is the inherent ability which stresses the factuality of the ability, not necessarily the accomplishment. 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). 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. This mighty power is at the Christian's disposal upon one condition only -- that of faith. Jesus used the word in this sense when He said, Many are called, but few are chosen (Matt. James 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+). He will put into thee the grace that thou shalt give back to Him in fruit. So that Paul portrays the heart as having eyes to see and by seeing to gain knowledge. 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. He said, "It's not like you to be shy." In none of these prayers does Paul request material things. Paul confidently added that nothing therefore can separate you from Gods love (Rom. 1:5). The power behindChrists resurrectionis now working on our behalf. Habakkuk 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. But I do more than thank. 1:19). COMMENT - Note how Paul associates our New Creation in Christ (2Co 5:17+) with the creation of the heavens and the earth. (1Cor 6:19, 20+). Perhaps he perceived a power shortage in the Ephesians saints! (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). We are dearer to Him than all the worlds He has ever made; more precious than all His other creation. 6:5 = in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;; Eph. I hold not its silver and gold; Nevertheless, in this verse Paul is referring to the subjective hope. 6:10; Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. One day a man is walking through a field. Will Pauls prayer be answered in your life? The first phrase of verse 18 is literally, the eyes of your heart having been enlightened. I understand it to be explaining in more specific detail Pauls words in verse 17, that God would give us a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the true knowledge of Him. To know these spiritual truths, God must open our eyes. It reflected honour upon God and wrought dismay in the hosts of evil. 1:18). (The Bible Knowledge Commentary), John MacArthur has an excellent discussion of this verse - Paul uses four different Greek synonyms to emphasize the greatness of that power. The Christian needs supernatural power, and God would have us see how great is His power to accomplish His purposes in us. 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. Salvation is not a joint project, where we teamed up with God to bring it about. It is from from which we get theocracy, the rule of God; autocracy, absolute rule; democracy, the rule of the people; and plutocracy, the rule of the wealthy. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. 3:1. Saints (40) (hagios) describes men and women who have been set apart from the world by the sanctifying work of the Spirit for a specific purpose determined by God before the foundation of the world (see notes Ephesians 2:10). Paul says this enlightenment is abiding and permanent state (See previous noteon what this means regarding the translation). All of this is for Gods glory (Ephesians 1:6,12,14). It is your hope of final glorification and of sharing Gods glory when Christ returns (Col. 3:4). The key to overcoming a troubled, perplexed, stressed heart is to focus on the hope of His calling, on whats ahead, on heaven. Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This power is active, dynamic, and compellingand it is mightily at work on your behalf. Well, look, its the power that he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead. Ischus therefore conveys the sense of endowed power or ability. So even in the most difficult trials, we can be filled with hope (see Rom. Do we not remember that glorious hour when He carried our hearts by storm? Paul is praying for the Ephesians to be able to supernaturally grasp the truths in Ephesians 1:3-14 where we see that saints are (1) chosen (Eph 1:4+), (2) predestined (Eph 1:5+,, Eph 1:11+), (3) adopted as sons (Eph 1:5+), (4) accepted in the Beloved (Eph 1:6+- see article Accepted in the Beloved), (5) redeemed through His blood (Ephesians 1:7+), (6) forgiven (Eph 1:7+), (7) sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ep 1:13+) and (8) given the earnest of our inheritance (Ep 1:14+). Now, I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness I cant handle hearing all of the heartbreaking prayer requests for sick children, terminally ill relatives, and church members in financial turmoil.. 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. God is far more involved with His universe than some would like to think. According to Jeremiah 9:2324. 5:2) and motivate you to godly living (1 John 3:3). It cannot come if, instead of hearing His voice, we are content with only an echo! 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). No, because hes after the treasure. (See the Three Tenses of Salvation), Lehman Strauss- And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe (1:19). Zephaniah 1 John God may. 22:5. Philemon He teaches you to recognize and uphold what is excellent so that you will be sincere and blameless before God (Phil. Believe or not! In Ephesians6, Paul uses a memory devicethe armor of a Roman soldierto help the Ephesian believers remember the resources he has already discussed in his letter (vv. Jesus healed by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38); cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit (Mt 12:28); was resurrected from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:11+); and was seated at God's right hand in the heavenly places through the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:19, 20+). But that one in our nature should be exalted to that seat of pre-eminence and power; that the Mediator between God and man should be the man Christ Jesus; that the hands which once were nailed to the cross should now hold the sceptre, and that the feet which once walked on Lake Gennesaret, which were weary and dust-soiled at Jacobs well, which were washed with a sinful womans tears and kissed in penitential grief and love with polluted lipsthat these very feet should now have all things put under them both in heaven and earth, there is the mystery. What a battle He had in us before we would be won! ESV and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might. The grassland yields pasture to the cattle; and there is not a square inch of the enclosed territory that does not minister to the needs of the new proprietor. Living in the light of Your goodness The proper exercise of this power requires continuous faith in Christ, just as we believed in Him at conversion. NIV and his incomparably great power for us who believe. The Lord, however, says, Not so fast. Paul would have us appreciate our dignity. Many Christians have a stick your head in the sand attitude when it comes to grappling with the difficult doctrines of the Bible. God can. Ezekiel And he did so with great expectations. (Daily Bible Study). 2 Corinthians That yet I must not see; He makes a circuit of its bounds; he ascends its loftiest hills; he crosses and recrosses it, that he may know all that has come into his ownership. 4:1; Song 2:7; 3:5; 5:8; 8:4; Is. 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 church cannot arise and go out as at other times, and this the Philistines well know." The former is given by knowledge as well as by madness or rage; but strength comes from nature and a healthy state of the body. Such enlightenment is crucial because how you perceive your spiritual resources dictates how you live. 11:2; John 14:2526; 16:1214). CSB and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength. Mighty strength in our inner being, "through His Spirit" (Ephesians 3:16-note). 15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that . Hoehner adds that "Paul is not saying that the power is available at moments of belief, but rather he is stating that the power is available to believers. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Wiersbe -The very power that raised Jesus from the dead is available for our daily lives! But in Hebrew and Greek thinking, the heart was considered the seat of knowledge, thinking, and understanding. There must be no reserve put on any part of our being. His inheritance is in His saints. 3:17 = so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; Eph. There is nothing too difficult for him. It means to make known in reference to the inner life or transcendent matters and thus shed light upon. Amen! 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. 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. Conversely, revival cannot come if we are far removed from God. They dont know the reality of heaven. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. The same power that brought Christ from the dead, and set him on high, works in the salvation of every believer. 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). And what did the greatness of His arm accomplish? In Ephesians 1, the apostle Paul let his "students" know that he prayed for them constantly. Is not this the secret of any grace or wealth there is in Christian lives? Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. 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. The Son has accomplished redemption through His death (Ephesians 1:7) and provided the necessary provisions for an inheritance for the believer (verse 11). [Beloved, do you really believe that is true? In addition the view that the saints are Gods inheritance has precedence in the Old Testament, Moses recording that Israel was God's possession For the LORD'S portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance. -- Glenn Spencer, Glenn Spencer - Old fashioned Holy Ghost power is the need of the day. Enlightened (5461) (photizo from phos = light) means to cause light to shine upon some object, in the sense of illuminating it. How might the believer have certainty in the hope mentioned inEphesians 1:18? The new has come, Now I have resurrection power living on the inside 13:3; Ezra 9:8; Barn. "Because he lives we live also." They are the real eyes for discerning the nature of issues important to God. For Further Study: Joshuas call to lead Israel was not a call to salvation, but it illustrates some important principles for spiritual leadership. Listen to his arguments here. - 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. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. God intends that His work be accomplished by His power. I submit that this argues strongly against so-called evolution in the first creation, as it was certainly not necessary in the second (new birth) creation. 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. Jesus said thats the way the Kingdom is. It will encourage you to go on. But a day is coming -- oh! 19:25; 47:6; 63:17; Jer. He knows that future hope has the potential to motivate us to present obedience. For less than $5/mo. Christians are not like the Gentiles who have no hope (Eph 2:12+), but are those who have hope or firm assurance (cf "full assurance of hope" Heb 6:11) that God will do good to us in the future because Christ has purchased salvation for us on the Cross in the past (see notes below on Ro 5:1-2), sanctifies them through His Spirit in the present (Gal 5:16-25-note), and will lead them to glory in the future (Col 1:27+; 1Jn 3:2,3+ ). This is what Jesus meant when He said of the people: They seeing see not, and hearing they hear not (Mt 13:13). which is the true and proper fountain of man's salvation. You have given us freedom (You set us free), I have resurrection power living on the inside (You set us free) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. of Understanding that you have already received grace upon grace (John 1:16), abundant life (John 10:10), and everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) gives you confidence that Gods future grace and resources will be more than sufficient (2 Cor. Isnt that something? The owner put his hand into the jar, grabbed a handful of candy and handed it to the boy. It is only as God's Spirit illuminates our mind that we actually can truly know the spiritual truth He wants us to know. After this time, Jesus rose from the dead, the miracle of miracles. When He placed his cross against the wall, and scaled our ramparts, planting on our strongholds the blood-red flag of his omnipotent mercy? Hoeher comments that "Having mentioned the surpassing greatness of Gods power, Paul is now going to show that it is literally according to the power of the power of his power. Paul lists a series of three words for power used to describe the standard of the surpassing greatness of Gods power." That never can. When we really grasp this amazing truth, all we can do is worship and glorify our precious Saviour and occupy our time, redeeming the days as we wait expectantly for His blessed appearing. Though lifting our troubles and needs to God is both acceptable and important, we should never forget to express our thankfulness, jubilance, and praise to Him in prayer. Ephesians 6:10 (note) Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Do we really believe this is true?
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