spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Also the verb ischuooIt is good for nothing (Mt. 1:9; 1 Co. 4:5; Eph. 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. Thats amazing. "That you will know" Recall Paul's pronouncement of truth in Colossians 1:27 that believers (Jews and Gentiles) now have Christ in them and that this is their hope of glory. We belong to Somebody. Is she supposed to do something about this? In the first instance it means a lot. 13:3; Ezra 9:8; Barn. They became thine in the Council chamber of eternity, when the Father gave Himself to thee in Jesus. -- Maclaren, Alexander Maclaren - It is 'exceeding.' THOUGHT -Is your heart tender to the Word of God? The world can't understand it, but we can. Or the funds to go on the radio. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. Thus as Christians, we should be filled with hope because we know that God has called us to salvation. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural. 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). That's the reason Paul said, "I am praying that your eyes will be opened, that you will be enlightened, that you will understand this" (Ephesians 1:18). What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? It conveys the idea of effective, productive energy, rather than that which is raw and unbridled. Paul is praying "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes . Hope gives us the assurance that we are going toward something better than this present life. 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. Never apologize for your inner eyes! It comes only through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. Consequently, they constantly strive for material things and are continually caught up in carnal pursuits. | 8,801 views. Thats the confidence you should have as you live each day. Gods power is awesome! As we experience God's power in our own lives, we can encourage others. Wiersbe - In the prison prayers of Paul (Eph. Paul wrote (Phil. 1 Kings Now, I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness 3:17 = so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; Eph. Observe that the power which raised Christ from the dead was glorious. | GotQuestions.org, What does God mean when He says, Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)? Its broad acres have been made over to thee by deed of gift. He has called us to a completed righteousness and to the completed redemption of our bodies. How could they have more than what they had? To each the conception of looking onward is attached; to the "calling" "hope," to the "inheritance" "glory," to the "power" the exaltation of Christ (and of us with Him; see Ephesians 2:6) to the right hand of God. It is Gods power that accomplishes the many miracles ofredemptionmentioned inEphesians 1. This certainty is provided in Jesus Christ. Thus here Paul is emphasizing Gods power that already saved us rather than the power that He gives to sustain us. Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. The inability to see and understand spiritual things is not the fault of the intelligence but of the heart. 2 Samuel Faith and Riches - Do you want to be rich? Dunamis is, however, mostly power in action, as in the frequent use of dunamis for miracles, mighty works, they being exhibitions of divine virtue. It is the power of God that made this possible. 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? Samuel Chadwick writes: "The Church that is man-managed instead of God-governed is doomed to failure. 3. the mighty power by which he energizes them.[71]. 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! For years, Ive been hearing Jesus could come at any time. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). The possessive pronoun shows that it is Gods inheritance.Because of His choosing, redeeming, adopting, and sealing us, we are his possession. 34:8; 1Pe 2:3), smell (Phil. Nevertheless, the distinctions in these words is somewhat difficult to appreciate and convey in the form of a simple definition. Im convinced the single greatest problem carnal Christians have is that they dont know the hope of His calling. get to know the Bible better! The same power which raised the Head works life in the members. Jesus was buried and remained in the tomb for three days (John 19:42). Then a distant aunt, unsolicited, sends her a sum of money, which happens to be the exact amount needed for airfare. That burden was placed there by the Lord as part of His calling. Hes not interested in the world. 2 Timothy Second is energeia (working), the energizing force of the Spirit that empowers believers to live for the Lord. Paul says this enlightenment is abiding and permanent state (See previous noteon what this means regarding the translation). Paul asks that the blessing imparted by God the Father ( Eph 1:3 ) to the Ephesians will be strengthened in them through the message of the gospel ( Eph 1:13 , 17 - 19 ). Energeia isused only of supernatural power in the NT. Usually ischus denotes power, might, strength, ability. Ancient understanding is often linked to other kinds of power or authority (e.g., dunamis, exousia; cf. He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Lord, help me to influence prayer time at my church so that it is a healthy representation of the full Christian life, from supplication to praise. (2Pe 1:2-4-notes 2Peter 1:2; 1:3; 1:4). Love will only give itself to love. 1:51; Acts 19:20; Eph. But here, Paul is writing to believers (saints, us who believe, 1:18, 19). Also of the angelic powers (Eph1:21; Ro8:38; 1 Pet3:22). 2 Chronicles Thank You, Father, in Jesus' name, AMEN. The inscription is in Eph 1:1, in which the author of the epistle puts his name, declares his office, and how he came into it; and describes the persons to whom he wrote it, by their religious characters, and the place of their abode. Its in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence. 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. The invitation goes out to everyone: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. But many ignore the invitation or make up excuses for why they cannot respond. 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)! If that has happened to you, confess it immediately and turn from it. 1:18). Arriving at the church the next day, he found a seat behind a large pillar. 2:12) as, strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.. It is a matter of constant complaint with Christian people that they fall so far below their aspirations and hopes. (Eph 1:3). 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. It is said that for many years, he lived on crackers and milk because of stomach troubles caused by worrying about his wealth. 2:11. Now they needed to understand the hope of that calling so that they would then walk worthy of that calling. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. (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. Beloved Christian, think not of what you can get from God but, rather, think of what you mean to God. All rights reserved. He bought the world to get you. | GotQuestions.org, What does the Bible say about the power of words? Ep). When you buy a new gadget, it comes with an owners manual that tells you how to operate it. Not even Satan has the power to do that. We have an inheritance in him, and he has an inheritance in us. (Bible Knowledge Background Commentary). From phos; to shed rays, i.e. 1:6; Rev. Kleros may be used in the plural, but kleronomia is never so used. The power of God we experience in our lives is the same power by which God raised Jesus Christ from death. You have given us freedom, hallelujah Ezra Throughout the Old Testament, the verb know and the noun knowledge refer to intimacy and relationship, not simply a cognitive understanding of the facts. (seeEphesians MacArthur New Testament Commentary) (Bolding added). It is amazing that God would even need an inheritance because He owns everything (cp Ps 50:10) and yet here Moses clearly states that the Lords portion is His people. The text is clear! In the Mississippi River, right? that it might be soon! . The object of his prayers is described as the God of Christ, and Father of glory; the petitions to him are for an increase of knowledge of Christ from the Spirit, as a spirit of wisdom and revelation, Eph 1:17, and that they might have a clearer view of the nature of that glory they were called unto, and were hoping for, Eph 1:18, and observe the wonderful display of the power of God in their conversion and faith; which is illustrated by comparing it with that power which was shown in raising Christ from the dead, Eph 1:20, which leads the apostle to take notice of the exaltation of Christ at the right hand of God in heaven, consequent on his resurrection; where he is advanced above angels and men, and has all things in subjection to him for the good of his church, of which he is the head, and which is his body and fulness, Eph 1:21-23.