He is able! None of us has to live a defeated life. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. Thats why Jesus said no one can snatch you out of the Fathers hand (John 10:29). As the story goes Crowfoot, the chief of the Blackfoot nation in southern Alberta, gave the Canadian Pacific Railway permission to lay track from Medicine Hat to Calgary, he was given in exchange a lifetime railroad pass. Kneeling in the back seat, Fuller gave his life to Christ in prayer. A calling, invitation; in the NT, always of a divine call. So what are we saying? In his prayer for the Ephesians, Paul asked God to enlighten their eyes so they could better understand the message encoded in His Word. 2:4): strength of sin (1 Cor. The soul, as is written, The soul of man is the lamp of the Lord (Prov. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that (purpose clause- ask "What purpose?") 9:23; 10:12; 15:10, 13; 16:19; 20:5; 23:10; 27:5; 32:17; 49:16; 51:15, 53; Lam. 1:19). It will fill you with thanksgiving, joy, and hope. Eph 6:10; 1 Peter 4:11). Kratos is exercised strength whereas ischus refers to great inherent strength. Spiritual enlightenment doesnt come through self-effort or introspective meditation but through Gods Holy Spirit. Paul previously prays that the Ephesians would understand the hope, or certainty, of their calling and future inheritance (Ephesians 1:18). It sounds idealistic. Has God given this power to the believer according toEphesians 1:1920? What promises did God make to him (vv. Yes, there are dark spiritual powers at work behind the problems Paul discusses in Ephesiansanger, stealing, bitterness, slander, sexual immorality, greed, deception, and so on. Knowing that, we should live as His special people. I, Paul, am under Gods plan as an apostle, a special agent of Christ Jesus, writing to you faithful believers in Ephesus. Hes not interested in the world. that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Fourth is ischus (might), which carries the idea of endowed power or ability. Vincent has a discussion of two related words ischus and dunamis (in his note on 2 Peter 2:11) -. (Daily Bible Study). Proud member 5 Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. Emotions are important, but they must be guided and controlled by an enlightened mind. Paul piles on words for power to make his point. Megethos is used in Lxx in Ex 15:16 "By the greatness of Thine arm' (Where "His arm" is tantamount to His power. That fadeth not away! We will be perfect in righteousness and in love for God and one another. Imagine a couple of demons speaking. The same power which raised the Head works life in the members. In verse 18 he prays that we will comprehend those great truths, which he summarizes in the phrase, the hope of His calling.. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might. J C Philpot -It is no great mystery that the Son of God should be exalted to the throne of power. (See dictionary discussion of Inheritance), Kleronomia - 14x in 14v - Mt 21:38; Mark 12:7; Luke 12:13; 20:14; Acts 7:5; 20:32; Gal 3:18; Eph 1:14, 18; 5:5-note; Col 3:24-note; Heb 9:15-note; He 11:8-note; 1Pet 1:4-note. He said that we never form adequate conceptions of the treasure of the gospel, or if we do, we cant persuade ourselves that these things pertain to us, because they are so far from what we experience. --DJD. (Eph 1:18ESV) Notice how this rendering places the emphasis on God as the One Who "inherits"! The young man then begins to study that nation and enrolls in a missions-focused school. Ischus is inherent power or force. However, this is not a new sentence in Greek. But their willingness to persevere assured victory, for Hannibal could never conquer them. 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. These include truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Rab. YouVersion uses cookies to personalize your experience. Freedom, You have given us freedom 6:2; 8:3; 10:7; 17:17; Jdg. Dr. Hammond thinks it was written about the year 58, and Dr. Lightfoot places it in 59, and the fifth year of Nero. (See note Ephesians 2:10). (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith), John MacArthur- UNDERSTANDING YOUR CALLING. The eyes of our hearts refers to our total inner person, which includes the intellect, the emotions, and the will. It is a matter of constant complaint with Christian people that they fall so far below their aspirations and hopes. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. A marvellous lift was there! This seemed to me very extraordinary. This is the curse of Christian living. 4.4 [on Deut. Then a distant aunt, unsolicited, sends her a sum of money, which happens to be the exact amount needed for airfare. (cf 2Co 6:11-13+)(Ephesians Commentary). Ephesians 4:1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. 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! 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. Paul Rader, former wrestler and boxer, became one of the most powerful evangelists of the early 20th century. (Life Application Study Bible: New Living Translation). Although dynamite is derived from this word, there is no suggestion here or anywhere in the Bible that Gods power is instantaneous or explosive. This power is one of three aspects of the mighty salvation God won for believers in Christ: 1. the hope to which God has called them, (Ibid), Life Application Study Bible- The world still marvels at the power of the atom, yet we belong to the God Who created atoms and the entire universe. We can read the promises of God and be certain of Gods ability to fulfill those promises, even those of redemption, resurrection, andglorification. What is the difference between kleros and kleronomia (in the context of the uses in the Septuagint)? Morning and Evening, Spurgeon - In the resurrection of Christ, as in our salvation, there was put forth nothing short of a divine power. 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 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. In Ephesians 1, the apostle Paul let his "students" know that he prayed for them constantly. And not just barely free, either. It is Christs coming to take His own to be with Himself. I pray that you may know the surpassing greatness of [Gods] power toward us who believe (Eph. How can we begin to fathom a prayer like that? Peter expresses the same thought in 1 Peter 1:5, where he says you are protected by the power of God through faith in Christ. It is a powerful work, past, present, and future: Gods power was evident in their conversion, Gods power is evident in their endurance, and Gods power will be evident in their resurrection. How might the believer have certainty in the hope mentioned inEphesians 1:18? (Ephesians 5:18+) The filling of the Holy Spirit will result in power for service with souls being won to Christ and Christians growing in grace and knowledge. Pray Ephesians 1:17-19 (and other Pauline prayers). 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. When her teacher finally did let her discover for herself that she would one day be Queen of England, Victorias response was, Then I will be good! Her life would be controlled by her position. Not with corruptible things, as with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (1Pe 1:18-19), the Lord's portion has been fully redeemed. We, who are God's tillage, must make no bargain with his ploughshare, and withhold no acre from the operations of his Spirit. Start for FREE. That yet I must not see; Leaning his head on the seat in front of him, he trembled. There is a superabundance of machinery; what is wanting is power. 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. Its certainly not because of the power of the believer, but the power of God. The person who has received Christ is a new creation. Others see it as referring to the believers inheritance, which Paul calls His inheritance because God is its source. Paul would say "STOP IT!" Than Jesus blood and righteousness; I askask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of gloryto make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust himendless energy, boundless strength! I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. 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. Some are called to the political arena or to end human trafficking. It sounds like religious hype. Ischus - 10 times in the NT translated: might, 5; power, 1; strength, 4. Prior to start Adobe Premiere Pro 2023 Free Download, ensure the availability of the below listed system specifications. 2:12) as, strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.. As Fuller listened, he suddenly recognized his own spiritual blindness. There's more than enough power to break the hold of all sinful habits; more than enough to give deliverance from temptation; more than enough to enable the believer to live above circumstances. The second dealt with the future when God will gain his inheritance at the coming of Christ. Spurgeon compared the general call of the gospel to the sheet lightning that you see on a summer night. Dunamis is rather ability, faculty: not necessarily manifest, as ischus: power residing in one by nature. There is the general call of the gospel that goes out to all people. That power works in every one of us, as I stand before you. The hope of your calling is grounded in Gods promises and in Christs accomplishments. God's power is made available to us by His indwelling presence. Conversely, revival cannot come if we are far removed from God. 1:18; Eph. As priests, these sons certainly understood the facts about God, but they did not have a relationship with him. In this context dunamis refers to inherent power, found in and dispensed by God (cf Ro 1:16+= "the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation"). No, because hes after the treasure. 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. ", Colossians 1:29 records Paul's testimony: "I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.". He returned home and wrote his wife, who was away: There has come a complete change into my life. How might Pauls response influence you when you face difficulties? God has laid up spiritual blessings for us in his Son the Lord Jesus; but requires us to draw them out and fetch them in by prayer. I cant. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might. View (1) is probably the more valid interpretation although both views are taught in Scripture and the Greek text does allow for both interpretations. 1QS 11:36). We do not ask for it we were born into its blessed privilege. F B Meyer (takes view #1) here sees Paul as referring to believers as God's inheritance! It is the active exercise of supernatural power." The unaccustomed soil is brought beneath the yoke of the plough. Be alert for attitudes or actions that need to be changed. The real work of a Church depends upon the power of the Spirit." It is not as under the laws of primogeniture, that one child takes all, while the younger children are dismissed with meagre allowances. So the kindred adjective . Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Hebrews 13:21 records the prayer, "Make you perfect [mature] in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight.". Thank You, Father, in Jesus' name, AMEN. Setup Size: 8.9 GB. He gathers out the fruits from among the leaves, that his people might have the best food, and enjoy the richest pleasures. Strength (2904) (kratos) refers to manifested power or power that is put forth in action. (Pathways to His Presence), Craig Blomberg - To Let Us Experience Gods Mighty Power, I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. the more we will be motivated First is dunamis (power), from which we get dynamite and dynamo. Salvation is not a joint project, where we teamed up with God to bring it about. This day is as a thousand years because in your day of difficulty and dilemma, pressure and pain, sadness and sorrow, you have the unique opportunity to share the fellowship of the Lords suffering and to pray for others in a way you never would have been able to otherwise. 3:9 = "and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery"; 2 Tim. To run an organization needs no God. Dunamis is the root from which we derive the English word dynamic, (synonyms = energetic, functioning, live, operative, working) which describes that which is marked by usually continuous and productive activity or change. 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. I hold fast to the opinion that our God is ever trying to reveal Himself to us. Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Second, this enlightenment comes to the heart of the believer (Eph. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Mark 2 Corinthians 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). He teaches you to recognize and uphold what is excellent so that you will be sincere and blameless before God (Phil. I dont blame you for feeling that way. This was true for the Ephesians, and it is true for us today. 46) he admonished them to employ that power in faithful living for their Lord. He will win for Himself a great name, as He turns thy desert places into gardens, and makes thy wildernesses blossom as the rose. John Piper does one of his "labs" on the question of inheritance and ends by saying possibly both aspects are true. By it He speaks to the soul, grants saving faith, and ushers elect sinners into salvation (John 6:3744, 65; Acts 2:39). 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.
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