(Ephesians 1:15-23 Possessing the Possessions in Christ). In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul is praying that God would give the saints a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the true knowledge of Him. Eido/oida is not so much that which is known by experience as an intuitive insight that is drilled into one's heart. NIDNTT says that in classical Greek the root word "kleros is derived from klao, break. He does not ask God to give them what they do not have, but rather prays that God will reveal to them what they already have. And not just for the time being, but forever. We have been called by grace, to glory. Harold Hoehner points out that "The NEB, NASB, and NIV state another request: I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. | GotQuestions.org, How can we rely on the power of God? What a blessing to be quickened together with Christ! But let us not stop here - believers needed resurrection power to be saved the first time (justification) and are in continual need of this same power for "daily salvation" (progressive sanctification, "present tense" salvation) from the world, the flesh and the devil! He had mercy on whom he would have mercy, and ordained a chosen company unto eternal life; thus, therefore, are they his by his unconstrained election. In other words, we are Gods possession, purchased by the blood of Christ. The resurrection power that raised up the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead is the power that works in every single believer. Arriving at the church the next day, he found a seat behind a large pillar. 3:20). He bought the world to get you. Now we are drowning in a sea of false religions and New Age philosophies. May we learn daily to surrender to the Spirit of Christ, Who energizes our walk, elevating it from a "natural" to a "supernatural" walk. That burden was placed there by the Lord as part of His calling. In accordance (2596) (kata) not out of but according to. Romans 8:24-25 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? She contacts a Christian organization that operates orphanages in Europe and learns they have an opening for a worker. But because Israel rejected that call and followed idols, they never flourished in the way God wanted to prosper them. 1:18; Eph. Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. But even though he has reached it, several years must pass before he can understand its value, or compel it to minister, with all its products, to his need. This power is only for Christians, for those 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. They dont know the reality of heaven. Thus, it seems that the author is saying, "I know that you are saved, that you have had the blinders of the devil removed; because of this, I can now pray that you will fully understand and see the light of God's glorious revelation." 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.' ", Ephesians 1:19 (note) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. . 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. In Ephesians 1:14+ (cf Eph 1:11) Paul spoke of our inheritance, but here the request seems to speak of God's inheritance in believers. Reprinted by permission. (2Pe 2:11+). In Ephesians 1:19 and Ephesians 6:10, ischus describes the strength of God bestowed upon believers. Right here is where the average Christian fails. The eye on yours is dusty. He cleaned it and the problems disappeared. Calling here refers to Gods effectual callingthe calling that redeems the soul. The conduct (works) doesn't save us but does demonstrate the belief to be genuine. How long he laid siege to our hearts! ', Mark 12:33+ and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Pauls request for them to know God was within proper bounds because their hearts had been enlightened (the Greek perfect tense indicates past action with continuing results), as discussed in verses 314, especially Eph 1:79 (previous note from Hoehner's discussion in Bible Knowledge Commentary) (Ed Note: Hoehner goes into greater detail regarding six ways this passage could be taken in hisEphesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Lehman Strauss-The prayer continues: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened (1:18). God's people do not fight for victory but from victory! Seated with Him. Perhaps it is because many of us assume in advance how the meeting will go. Another English word dynamite, is derived from dunamis and since dunamis is used by Paul to describe the "power of God", some have suggested that the gospel is "Gods dynamite". 3:17 = so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; Eph. It sounds idealistic. It is energetic power, energy put forth or energy put in operation. There is a superabundance of machinery; what is wanting is power. The same continuous current of His mighty power stands available to the faithful, to all who will believe. Lamentations The other day, when travelling in Scotland, I was introduced to some farmers whose soil was naturally of the poorest description; and yet, in answer to my inquiries, I found that they were able to raise crops of considerable weight and value. Megethos is used in Lxx in Ex 15:16 "By the greatness of Thine arm' (Where "His arm" is tantamount to His power. First, he raised Christ from the dead (v.20). The reason Yt5s.io is the best youtube downloader . Thus chosen, purchased, and subdued, the rights of our divine possessor are inalienable: we rejoice that we never can be our own; and we desire, day by day, to do his will, and to show forth his glory. 4:13). In summary, because we are in Christ and He is in us, believers possess resurrection (and ascension) power, and Paul's prayer is for the Spirit to shine the light on this incredible, difficult to comprehend truth that we might know it beyond a "shadow of a doubt" and live in the light of this truth. Ephesians 1:18 The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language 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, Read more Share Copy Show footnotes Ephesians 1:18 The New International Version (NIV) It would seemingly be enough to mention the power of God, who is omnipotent. Glory (1391) (doxa) in this context seems to refer to the splendour, brightness or the brightness, shining or radiance. The key to overcoming a troubled, perplexed, stressed heart is to focus on the hope of His calling, on whats ahead, on heaven. (Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing CompanyVolume 1,Volume 2,Volume 3- usedby permission), William Barclay says that dunamis "is the word from which dynamite comes. Each one utilizes the gifts the Spirit has given. Still, with the stillness of death. Believe or not! We have been called by grace, to glory. He wishes them to have eternal life in Christ [John 20:31] and to know that they have it.". Live today in anticipation of Christs imminent return. 2 Timothy THE POWER OF GOD IN THE ASCENSION LIFE. 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. The inner man can see (Ps. 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. A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Acts After this time, Jesus rose from the dead, the miracle of miracles. Not a portion of but proportionate to! The hope that your effectual calling instills is grounded in Gods promises and in Christs accomplishments (1 Peter 1:3), and is characterized by confidently expecting and yet patiently waiting for those promises to be fulfilled. Paul says this enlightenment is abiding and permanent state (See previous noteon what this means regarding the translation). Comment: The firm assurance or hope that believers have in this life is the return of Jesus Christ in glory to take them home into His presence and give them glorified bodies like His. Because of the glorious grace (v. 6) of the glorious Father (v. 17), He will receive His glorious inheritance (v. 18). But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (1Cor. Why? I do not mean that God is trying to appear to our physical eyesight. God is the Master Engineer, He allows the difficulties to come in order to see if you can vault over them properlyBy my God have I leaped over a wall. God will never shield you from any of the requirements of a son or daughter of His. How might Pauls response influence you when you face difficulties? 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. . After addressing the role and example of Gods power inEphesians 1:114, Paul then informs the Ephesians that he gives thanks for them and their faith (verses 1516). free! 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). 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. (Mornings with Tozer: Daily Devotional Readings). (Ephesians 1:19) We are bidden to follow our Master in his up ward track, and to sit with Him, in daily happy experience, where He is already seated at the right hand of God. God is far more involved with His universe than some would like to think. The same power that brought Christ from the dead, and set him on high, works in the salvation of every believer. Click for additional discussion on some of the aspects of the hope of this calling. Its certainly not because of the power of the believer, but the power of God. In the first instance it means a lot. No one can do the work of God successfully without being filled with the Holy Spirit. 12:9). Consequently, they constantly strive for material things and are continually caught up in carnal pursuits. What are the practical applications of this truth? Here it is the other way around. Jesus, You have given us freedom By his own sovereign choice. That ye may know what is the hope of His calling Eph. 8:3839)! 19:8; 2 Ki. (cf Dt 32:9+) And thats what we are. This expression was often used metaphorically for faith (Pss. Although dynamite is derived from this word, there is no suggestion here or anywhere in the Bible that Gods power is instantaneous or explosive. It is active energy as opposed to potential energy..In the NT it occurs eight times and is used only by Paul, three times in Ephesians (1:19; 3:7; 4:16). No, because hes after the treasure. Im convinced the single greatest problem carnal Christians have is that they dont know the hope of His calling. 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. Judges Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the privilege of being His child.