(1Jn 5:13+), Comment: A T Robertson writes that eidomeans "to know with settled intuitive knowledge. Reportedly, Crowfoot put the pass in a leather pouch and wore it around his neck for the rest of his lifebut he never once availed himself of the rights and privileges it spelled out. (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. Hope for believers is not the worlds wishful thinking, but the absolute certainty that God will make true what he has promised. . 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. Proud member But the antidote to these dangers is not to remain ignorant. Im convinced the single greatest problem carnal Christians have is that they dont know the hope of His calling. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might (NASB: Lockman), Greek: kai ti to huperballon (PAPNSN) megethos tes dunameos autou eis hemas tous pisteuontas (PAPMPA) kata ten energeian tou kratous tes ischuos autou. I never heard such a sermon in all my lifeEphesians 1:18. We live in a day when denominations, Churches, and religious organizations are running on man-made programs, social agendas, and orders handed down from denominational headquarters. Now, I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness How might the believer have certainty in the hope mentioned inEphesians 1:18? Jonah was called by God but refused to surrender to that call; instead, he ran the other way (Jonah 1:13). They are not only his by choice, but by purchase. He, she, it, they, them, same. In my opinion, you cant separate the two, because when your eyes are enlightened to know objectively all that God has promised to give you in Christ, it fills you with hope subjectively in your heart. That having the eyes of your heart enlightened. The inner man can see (Ps. Also the verb ischuooIt is good for nothing (Mt. 11:36; Jn. 4:15). Amen. As Paul shows (Rom. Throughout Scripture, the word hope always refers to that which is coming, to that which is ahead. Luke But it is a compact that will not hold. Seated with Him. I think the needle is broken, I told him. That which is dynamic is characterized by energy or forces that produce motion, as opposed to that which is static. 4:18), being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart. In other words, sin blinds the minds of unbelievers and renders them incapable of understanding the truth of the gospel, unless God opens their blind eyes (2 Cor. Modern maps containing the results Of the explorations of Livingstone, Stanley, Burton, tell another story of river, Savannah, tableland, and of myriads of inhabitants. 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. He does everything he can to buy the field in which the treasure is buried. Why is it important to know what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe? When He is seated at the right hand of God, so are we, in Christ. We need not pray for power to endure suffering. (Lehman Strauss Commentary Devotional Studies on Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians- online), THOUGHT -May our great, grace filled Father grant each of us His grace to ponder this incredible truth so that it might motivate us, enabledby HisSpirit, to walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called in Christ. Strengthened with might in the inner man (Eph3:16): with all might (Col. 1:11). Although Paul wrote his letter in Greek, he was steeped in the Hebrew Biblethat is, the Old Testament. The inability to see and understand spiritual things is not the fault of the intelligence but of the heart. Amen! So that Paul portrays the heart as having eyes to see and by seeing to gain knowledge. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). They are also his by conquest. He will occupy and keep thee. money, possessions, or abundance, richness, valuable bestowment. The power of God is most neglected resource in the Church. Having all our needs met by God (Philippians 4:19) (see note), The "wisdom and knowledge of God" (Romans 11:33) (see note). But next to this, the emigrant encloses some small part of his inheritance, placing around it a tentative fence or partition; and here he begins to expend toil and skill. When He died, we died. Lamentations Rom. It means to make known in reference to the inner life or transcendent matters and thus shed light upon. 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. A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. When our hearts are set to obey the Lord, He confirms His call in a variety of ways: godly counsel, natural gifting, fruitful results, Scripture, and a sense of rightness that does not conflict with any of the other confirmations. Mark WE DON'T JUST NEED A LITTLE HELP, A LITTLE "PUSH" SO TO SPEAK, BUT WE NEED HIS SUPERNATURAL POWER - cf Php 2:13NLT+) overcome our difficulties each day. 15.110; Sib. This is the same power God brought about in Christ. See related in depth study of the Believer's Blessed Hope. F B Meyer writes about THE SAINTS' INHERITANCE IN GOD (Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 5:5). (The Wealth, Walk and Warfare of the Christian). (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith), John MacArthur- UNDERSTANDING YOUR CALLING. Bruce adds (p. 271), Paul prays here that his readers may appreciate the value which God places on them, his plan to accomplish his eternal purpose through them as the first fruits of the reconciled universe of the future, in order that their lives may be in keeping with this high calling and that they may accept in grateful humility the grace and glory thus lavished on them., Our future is that throughout eternity we will actually share in Christs glory! (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament), Glenn Spencer on believe - This is a condition for the victorious life. 6:10; Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. 19:11; Ezek. God never gives niggardly to His children but according to the (infinite) riches of His grace! I have often felt that way myself. There is the danger of stopping at knowing doctrine, rather than allowing the doctrines to give you greater personal knowledge of the God of whom the doctrines speak. His death had our name on it. A day is as a thousand years. The average ministry is fueled by the flesh. 4:20; 7:6; 9:26, 29; 1 Kings 8:51, 53 Ps. For long days he travels, towards his inheritance and presently pitches his flimsy shanty upon its borders. Sometimes both terms are used interchangeably for nahlh (e.g. Luke 24:45+ Then He (JESUS) opened (dianoigo) their minds (nous) to understand the Scriptures. The idea is to cause something to be fully known by revealing clearly and in some detail. -- when His heart shall be fully satisfied in His inheritance, for His glory shall be perfectly manifested in the saints. Or the funds to go on the radio. Not only that, but it is all the power we are ever offered or could ever have. This expression was often used metaphorically for faith (Pss. Click for additional discussion on some of the aspects of the hope of this calling. 2:11. Others see it as referring to the believers inheritance, which Paul calls His inheritance because God is its source. Maybe youre saying, Is that ever true! The text is clear! (cf Dt 32:9+) And thats what we are. Rather, He is trying to appear to the eye of our soul through an inner consciousness. that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. 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+). Will this day ever end? If you are in a strained marriage, a single person aware of your loneliness, or if youre physically afflicted, a day can indeed seem like a thousand years. Do believers really have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:1920)? Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. The Old Testament priests were called by God to their special work (Hebrews 5:4; cf. Each soul has the whole of God. 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". All rights reserved), The treasures of earth are not mine, Having prayed then that God would enlighten the eyes of our hearts, Paul specifies three things that God wants you to know: Paul later (4:4) will talk about the hope of your calling, but here he refers to the hope of His calling. Why does he do that? He has just prayed that God would give to them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. May God not find the whine in us any more, but may He find us full of spiritual pluck and athleticism, ready to face anything He brings. When we make use of these resources, we will experience the mighty power with which God raised Christ from death! 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 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. In none of these prayers does Paul request material things. I cant. Believe or not! 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. Riches (4149) (ploutos) refers to the abundance of earthly goods, but here refers to spiritual abundance. ANSWER -The Bible often mentions people being called by God for a specific ministry or service. 11:22]). Because God's resurrection power continues to work in us, it helps us (ED: MORE ACCURATELY IT ENABLES US! Dunamis does not refer to explosive power, as if the gospel will blow men to bits but as discussed above, it refers to intrinsic power. 5:11; Jude 1:25; Rev. The gospel is dynamic, Gods dynamic, and so is powerful in the transformation of human lives. But that he should find the riches of glory in them!--this passes thought. Although dynamite is derived from this word, there is no suggestion here or anywhere in the Bible that Gods power is instantaneous or explosive. Thus to believe is to obey and to stake one's life on the truth of the gospel manifesting a lifestyle in accordance with that truth. (Life Application Study Bible: New Living Translation). Because he wants the field? 6:16; Heb. Here in verse 18 he wrote about Gods inheritance, the saints themselves! Ye may know what is the hope of his calling. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name (1 Chron. (Lehman Strauss Commentary Devotional Studies on Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians- online), Kenneth Wuest says that dunamis "power in the sense of that which overcomes resistance or effects a change" (In Mark 5:30 literal Greek = Jesus, perceiving in Himself the out from Him power going out) It was some of (Jesus') supernatural power which He felt leaving Him in the accomplishing of the miraculous cure". dunamis) refers to a spiritually dynamic living force. God called the entire nation of Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). THOUGHT: When you open your Bible, ask the Author to open your heart! 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. 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. We are the Lords Portion, the Lords Inheritance. The hand that bled to make it mine, THOUGHT - God's great doctrine of our calling should cause all the "called of Jesus Christ" to exclaim "Glory! Knowing that, we should live as His special people. While I cant begin to explain this adequately (I need more enlightenment from God! This hope is of the perfection of all, which we are called to enjoy really, but imperfectly, here. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. The saints knew to a degree what the concept of being "in Christ" meant but not in a deep intuitive way. If you identify with these sentiments, you are not alone. I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, Mark 12:30+ 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. The shadows of secrecy or reserve on either side will blight a friendship in which all the conditions seem perfectly adjusted. It takes far more faith to encounter and endure the battles of the Christian life than it did to trust Christ and be born again. The Message (MSG). Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. Malachi The radical idea of ischus, might, is that of indwelling strength, especially as embodied: might which inheres in physical powers organized and working under individual direction, as an army: which appears in the resistance of physical organisms, as the earth, against which one dashes himself in vain: which dwells in persons or things, and gives them influence or value: which resides in laws or punishments to make them irresistible. 5:2) and motivate you to godly living (1 John 3:3). Is this not every believers great challenge and need?! Second, he exalted him at his right hand (v.20) to be head over everything for the church (vv. I have riches of value untold. Paul saw fit to teach simple believers, many of whom were slaves, the great doctrines of Romans and Ephesians and his other letters. TECHNICAL NOTE - There are 25 compounds with huper in the NT, and 16 are found only in the Pauline Epistles. - 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. So here he takes view #2, but in the following note below he takes view #1! The power which is really at work in Christian men to-day is in its nature properly transcendent and immeasurable, and passes thought and desire and knowledge. Gods power is awesome! Even true believers greatly want heavenly wisdom. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. But this is as impossible to our unaided energy, as for the swallow to follow the majestic flight of the golden eagle, soaring sunward. Mighty strength in our inner being, "through His Spirit" (Ephesians 3:16-note). Paul piles on words for power to make his point. (John 8:55). Savor each moment. With his natural mind, man cannot understand the things of God. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Eph. Your Holy Spirit lives in me which is the true and proper fountain of man's salvation. The unaccustomed soil is brought beneath the yoke of the plough. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might- Paul piles one word upon another in this incredible description. What an objective in prayer! Fourth is ischus (might), which carries the idea of endowed power or ability. Many of us skim the manual quickly (at best), or never bother to read it at all. ", etc (See 5W/H questions). Has God given this power to the believer according toEphesians 1:1920? We so selfishly begin in our thinking with ourselves. 1 Peter 1:5 says that we are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Jude 24-25 proclaims, Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Eido/oida is a perception, a being aware of, an understanding, an intuitive knowledge which in the case of believers can only be given by the Holy Spirit. Because My coming is near, and your heavenly account is pretty small, Im giving you an opportunity to make some huge investments in the few days that remain before you go to heaven., You for whom this day has seemed as a thousand yearsrejoice. The fault is with themselves. If God can raise Jesus from the dead, God can provide all that is promised to the believer. This is the same mighty power (NLT - Tyndale House), Phillips: and how tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God. Is not this the secret of any grace or wealth there is in Christian lives? Dunamis is rather ability, faculty: not necessarily manifest, as ischus: power residing in one by nature. To use the Greek word, it is amaranthine (see amarantinos). The soul, as is written, The soul of man is the lamp of the Lord (Prov. The same divine power that created, sustains, and controls the universe secures your salvation. THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Languagecopyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. ", Toward (1519) (eis) motion toward = marking that which any person or thing inclines toward (in this case genuine belief). Comment: Here they would see and they would know beyond a shadow of a doubt about Jesus' authority. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? We have the case of Elisha when the Syrian army was sent to Dothan to take him captive. Finally. He gives them to us by the handfuls. (See The Oneness of Covenant), Harold Hoehner -Paul then used three additional words to describe Gods power. (2Pe 1:2-4-notes 2Peter 1:2; 1:3; 1:4). Into the city enters nothing that defiles, or works abomination, or makes a lie. 5:1; 15:20; 17:36; 19:3; 23:25; 24:14; 1 Chr. It's coming together, and it's all up under the headship of Jesus Christ. But God waits to realize in us all that He has prepared for us; and the third item in the apostle's prayer for his converts is that they might know "the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe. In that case, it was used of the believers inheritance which is their share in heaven. Knowing of Jonahs disobedience beforehand, God had already prepared a great fish to swallow him and spit him out when he was humbled enough to repent (Jonah 1:172:1). 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?") Col 1:28) also I labor, striving according to His power (dunamis), which mightily works (energeo- present tense - continually works) within me. He does not call a believer to hope for the forgiveness of his sins: they are gone. From her own people Rome raised an army, animated it with patriotism, and ordered it to fight. Its in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Paul did not pray for power to be given to believers. Slain because of our sins. The owner put his hand into the jar, grabbed a handful of candy and handed it to the boy. So the dynamo of Christian living is within the believer because God is within the believer. It is an expectation or confidence. But while countless people place, or rather misplace, their faith in the transforming power of subliminal messages, living faith in Jesus Christ cannot fail to do its transforming work. (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. The heart was the seat of understanding. It is only as God's Spirit illuminates our mind that we actually can truly know the spiritual truth He wants us to know. Moth and rust cannot consume, nor thieves break through to steal. (Ephesians Commentary). Paul confidently added that nothing therefore can separate you from Gods love (Rom. And this is God's message to thee, O Christian soul! How does this apply? God miraculously did them both simply by speaking the Word of Truth as Hebrews 11:3+ testifies. 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) WALK IN THE SPIRIT. It is according to the working (energeian, energetic power, from which comes the Eng. He returned home and wrote his wife, who was away: There has come a complete change into my life. (Lehman Strauss Commentary Devotional Studies on Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians- online), Mal Couch - While this is Pauls great desire, that believers truly have a deep spiritual understanding about their relationship with the Lord, this is rarely achieved by the average Christian.