ephesians 1:18 the message

If Gods power toward us is so great, why do so many Christians fall into serious sin. "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. " 7 Ways To Keep From Killing Your Message By Carey Nieuwhof on March 1, 2023 Ephesians 1:17-18 17 But I do more than thank. The same limitless power that created, sustains, and controls the universe saved you and keeps you saved. 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. 28:19; Acts 17:3031). Give all thou hast to God. Together we can help each other achieve great things for Him. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 (1Th 2:10-11) so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God Who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. It cannot come if, instead of hearing His voice, we are content with only an echo! Salvation is not a joint project, where we teamed up with God to bring it about. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) As you face this new day, do so with the confidence that you are one of Gods elect. Verse of the Day , Ephesians 1:18 Treasury of Scripture Knowing, God, My Praise (Study In God - All I Need-19). The power behindChrists resurrectionis now working on our behalf. It is his power. As soon as thou didst open thine eyes to behold the crucified Lord, thou didst all unconsciously become heir to the lengths and breadths, and depths, and heights of God! 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. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Finally, the context both here and throughout Ephesians seems to emphasize the motif of light as a property belonging to believers. Also the verb ischuooIt is good for nothing (Mt. 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. In Ephesians 1:18, Paul wrote, I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling (NASB). Ezra 9:8 But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. Love will only give itself to love. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might. Ischus is used of the ability of human beings in Mark AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' When He is seated at the right hand of God, so are we, in Christ. Yes, it is an inheritance. Consequently, they are constantly striving for material things and are continually chasing carnal pursuits. It is in our personal lives. He said that godly people who are engaged in daily struggles with inward corruption realize that it requires nothing less than the surpassing greatness of Gods power to save us. You have given us freedom, my chains are gone Hope for believers is not the worlds wishful thinking, but the absolute certainty that God will make true what he has promised. Calmen had expected her former teacher to say, "I knew you could do that.". This seemed to me very extraordinary. It is a beautiful picture, the heart being regarded as having eyes looking out toward God and all of the spiritual blessings that have their source and supply in God's Beloved Son. From the base of pletho; wealth, i.e. What prerogatives did David attribute to God (vv. 1 John Knowing God has given you His very best in Christ (Rom. Notice here-. 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 eyes of the heart must be opened by the Spirit of God. Finding Christ is like emerging from the cave into the light. If we do walk in the Spirit we will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. What he prayed was that they be given a divine awareness (eido = intuitive knowledge) of the power they possessed in Christ! 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. Put those deficiencies together and you have the reason why we are dissatisfied and empty. For Further Study: Read 2 Corinthians 1112. Remember what you are saved forthat the Son of God might be manifested in your mortal flesh. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). 6:10; Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. To be called by God is to be chosen by God for certain purposes. Paul is "struggling" to say what cannot be said. And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe - Supernatural power for believers to enable them to live in triumph. When a person is aware of that call and surrenders to it, he or she starts living out Gods purpose for him or her (seeJeremiah 1:45;Isaiah 49:1;Galatians 1:15). In none of these prayers does Paul request material things. 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. Many believers were more interested in doing what felt right than in doing what God declared to be right.Instead of their emotions being controlled by Gods truth, their emotions distorted their understanding of His truth. Modern maps containing the results Of the explorations of Livingstone, Stanley, Burton, tell another story of river, Savannah, tableland, and of myriads of inhabitants. I just love Jesus. Some even think that studying theology is spiritually dangerous. The American Standard Version reads: "the eyes of your heart," not mind. According to Jeremiah 9:2324. 2:916). THOUGHT: When you open your Bible, ask the Author to open your heart! THOUGHT - Why do we doubt God's power to deliver us out of our "little Red Sea" experiences? Herein lies the means of victory! To give light to, to illuminate. Proud member Others are called to be pastors, teachers, worship leaders, Bible translators, or to a host of other avenues that honor the Lord. Reaffirm your love for Him, and express your willingness to be changed by His Spirit in any way He sees fit. 10:16; 51:19; etc.). Observe that the power which raised Christ from the dead was glorious. Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the Spirits transforming work within you. That burden was placed there by the Lord as part of His calling. However, kleros, which meant originally lot, stresses more the individual piece of land allotted by lot, whereas kleronomia points more to the fact of inheritance with all its connotations already mentioned. Physically, we are here; but, in Christ, we have been raised. Some are called to the political arena or to end human trafficking. Lots were drawn to discover the will of the gods. 2:4): strength of sin (1 Cor. It is His capability to function effectively. 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). This is a wonderful truth. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might. Ephesians 1:18 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 (NASB: Lockman). "Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him." No sooner has the emigrant reached his estate, than he commences to prospect it. (1Cor 6:19, 20+). How might the believer have certainty in the hope mentioned inEphesians 1:18? Numbers Ephesians 1:18-23 The Message 15-19 That's 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 couldn't stop thanking God for youevery time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. 3 John 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! The principle is that we should pray for the promises of God to be realized in our hearts (cf 2Pe 1:4) Only the Spirit can reveal spiritual truth. This time, Jonah did. God never gives niggardly to His children but according to the (infinite) riches of His grace! 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. 119:18) or other spiritual realities (2 Kings 6:17). All of this is for Gods glory (Ephesians 1:6,12,14). He will win for Himself a great name, as He turns thy desert places into gardens, and makes thy wildernesses blossom as the rose. This power was irresistible. Slain because of our sins. And so the ESV Study Bible comments that "The inheritance here is not the Christians inheritance but his (Gods). but we barred our gates, and fenced our walls against him. In the first instance it means a lot. I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. Every Christian has a calling on his or her life. 1:18; Eph. ", Ischus - 251 uses in the Septuagint (LXX) - Ge4:12; 31:6; 49:3; Ex.9:16; 15:6, 13; 32:11, 18; Lev. Amen. How often he sent us terms of capitulation! Our Lord gave us an object lesson on this truth when He spoke about faith as a grain of mustard seed. The psalmist understood that the supernatural Word of God was unlike any writing of man and thus pleaded with God to Open (Hebrew galah = Piel stem always denotes "to uncover" something which otherwise is normally concealed. I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness In His devotional on Dt 32:9 Spurgeon asks "How are they his? Ephesians 1:18 I. Perhaps you can remember three words to capture this message: resurrection power now. that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. 36.2; 59.3). The eyes of our hearts refers to our total inner person, which includes the intellect, the emotions, and the will. 1 Chronicles (1Pe 1:5-note) The idea is that we are being brought through an enemys country under a strong escortas (escort = a person or group of persons accompanying another to give protection ) the women and children from Lucknow, between the double line of English soldiers, till they were safe from the onset of the Sepoys. For fifteen years the Romans defended their homeland against the brilliant Carthaginianand could never drive him out. Play Chris Tomlin's Resurrection Power. And because the height of this mystery cannot be easily attained unto. 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. 9:15; 1 Pet. To understand it, you must continually ask God to enlighten the eyes of your heart. 119:18; John 3:3), hear (Mt. Ephesians 1 - MSG - Christianity (Jon Courson's Application Commentary). 2:14; 1 Pet. And what did the greatness of His arm accomplish? Revival comes when, no longer satisfied to know about a God in history, we meet the conditions of finding Him in living, personal experience. 2:89), and we live by grace, through faith (1Cor. But they unravelled the mystery by telling me that they put in, in enriching manure, all that they took out in the days of golden harvest. We shall never know the far-away springs of the Niles and Congo's of his nature; we shall never unravel the innermost secret of his being. 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)! John MacArthur - RECEIVING SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened (Eph. (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. Further, perfectadverbial participles are usually causal in NT Greek. The hope of our calling is the absolute certainty of our heavenly destiny and includes all that awaits the saints at the return of the Lord Jesus and is what Paul referred to by the phrase the "Blessed hope" writing in Titus that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking (not just any kind of looking but looking anxiously, eagerly, earnestly, expectantly) for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. 4:16; Phil. (Commentary on the New Testament:), Warren Wiersbe - First, enlightenment comes from the Holy Spirit. He prays that the eyes of their understanding may be enlightened, Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 1:18. Hes the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. The boy responded, "I wasn't shy. After all, what good is it to have wealth if you are too weak to use it? . Strength (2904) (kratos) refers to manifested power or power that is put forth in action. Amazing grace! I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, 18 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 Christians, I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. Nor do we need to pray for power to do Gods will. "For we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God." Man can supply the energy, enterprise and enthusiasm for things human. 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. (Ephesians Through Revelation). I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to his people. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. 5:16). In the NT the idea of chance attaching to the lot is eliminated for all believers we inherit all spiritual blessings in Christ. 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. But by Gods grace the word of God may change your mind and your heart. Where do we find the power to overcome anger, resist greed, offer forgiveness, or pursue sexual purity? We fence off a part of ourselves for God, excluding Him from all the rest. 7:35; 2 Ki. Be alert for attitudes or actions that need to be changed. Paul would have us appreciate our dignity. 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). Ephesians 1:1820. 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). 1 Peter 5:10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. Ephesians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB The God of Glory 3-6 How blessed is God! In hours of weakness they drew on God's power; in those of suffering, on his patience; in those of misunderstanding and hatred, on his vindication; in those of apparent defeat and despair, on the promises that gleam over the smoke of the battle, as the Cross before the gaze of Constantine; in death itself, on the life and immortality which find their home in the being of Jehovah. Isaiah 46:911is the cornerstone passage that removes all doubt aboutGods sovereignty. The NTs concept of hope is built on the OT and has the elements of expectation, a trust in God, and the patient waiting for Gods outworking of his plan. Paul shows the proper relationship of faith and works in this letter, explaining that believers are God's, "workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. He called you to Himself and will hold you there, no matter what circumstances you face. Genesis Commentators tell us that they can distinguish differences of meaning between the words, in that the first of them is the more active and outward, and the last of them is the more inward. Photizo - 11v -Lk. (seeEphesians MacArthur New Testament Commentary) (Bolding added). Instead, it is powertowardus (Ephesians 1:19ESV, emphasis added). Eido/oida is distinguished from ginosko(epiginosko, epignosis - the other major NT word group for knowing) because ginosko generally refers to knowledge obtained by experience or "experiential knowledge". 1 Peter Why is it important to know what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe? (1Pe 1:3-5-See notes 1 Peter 1:3; 1:4; 1:5), Comment: Our "living hope" guarantees our inheritance, our protection until the revelation of our the final aspect of our salvation - glorification - when Christ returns "in the last time", Hoehner explains the relation of hope and calling -The genitive that follows (, calling) could be a genitive of source, hope has its origin in his call or more likely a subjective genitive hope produced by his calling (cf. As Paul puts it (2 Tim. Extract each minute. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name (1 Chron. Hope gives us the assurance that we are going toward something better than this present life. He gives the worldling husks; but he stops to find out the sweet fruits for his people. Even though God has opened our eyes to see and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we still must seek Him to enlighten the eyes of our hearts so that we will come to a deeper understanding of these crucial truths. 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.