Living on the inside (You set us free) (Back to the Bible), Choose Book of Bible to Study Part of that prayer is, I pray that . And what is - And is a connective, which signifies that a word or part of a sentence is to be added to what precedes. It means to attain a degree that extraordinarily exceeds a point on a scale of extent. (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. Craig Evans - Old Testament prayers commonly asked for opening ones eyes, particularly to Gods Word (Ps. 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. 2 Chronicles 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. We are mean enough to wish to make all we can of God, and to give Him as little as possible of ourselves. As you face this new day, do so with the confidence that you are one of Gods elect. He knows that future hope has the potential to motivate us to present obedience. 17 But I do more than thank. 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). 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. 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. Let every reader mark this, that supposing two men obtained a grant of an equal number of acres, if other things were equal, their wealth would be in exact proportion to the amount of use which each had made of his special acres. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Although dynamite is derived from this word, there is no suggestion here or anywhere in the Bible that Gods power is instantaneous or explosive. And the measure of the power that is to us what who believe is that mighty power which entered into Jesus Christ and resurrected him from the dead. It will be too depressing, we say to ourselves. In his prayer for the Ephesians, Paul asked God to enlighten their eyes so they could better understand the message encoded in His Word. 2:11. He makes a circuit of its bounds; he ascends its loftiest hills; he crosses and recrosses it, that he may know all that has come into his ownership. Ephesians 1:18 I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, > Ephesians > Chapter 1 > Verse 18 Ephesians 1:18 Context Crossref Comment Greek Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Ephesians 1works through the various roles of the Trinity in the redemption of man. (Psalm 119:18-see commentaryor related commentary). The real work of a Church depends upon the power of the Spirit." Cold, with the coldness of death. Put those deficiencies together and you have the reason why we are dissatisfied and empty. As we experience God's power in our own lives, we can encourage others. Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. The way to combat these forces is to stand in Gods mighty power (v.10)that is, resurrection power. And yet what food for faith. Not even Satan has the power to do that. Genesis 1 Peter 2:9+ But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR Gods OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 2 Kings 6:17 Then Elisha prayed and said, O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see. And the LORD opened the servants eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. Even though He has given humankind the freedom to make choices, His choices have already been made (Exodus 33:19;Romans 9:1018). (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament), Glenn Spencer on believe - This is a condition for the victorious life. They will give us the hope and eternal perspective that we need to endure trials. All rights reserved. Although Paul wrote his letter in Greek, he was steeped in the Hebrew Biblethat is, the Old Testament. 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. In following the call of God, we must be sure to obey His instructions in Scripture. 14:13, 17; 24:18; Deut. Ischus is used as an attribute of God in the Revelation saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power (dunamis) and riches and wisdom and might (ischus) and honor and glory and blessing." It is reserved in heaven for you. That never can. The boy responded, "I wasn't shy. Nothing can separate you from His love (Rom. I agree that this is Pauls main aim. Out of nothing, nothing comes, is the usual rule. F B Meyer commenting on inheritance in 1Peter 1:4-notesees it asview #2, but in the following note below he takes view #1! The " heart " is the inner man, including the emotion and will; it is the whole self, man's inward being. Ephesians 1:7,11 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; , Ephesians 3:8,16 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; . F B Meyer writes about THE SAINTS' INHERITANCE IN GOD (Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 5:5). It is available. Ephesians 1:18 Context. He will occupy and keep thee. (A Day's Journey: 365 Daily Meditations from the Word). You have given us freedom (You set us free), I have resurrection power living on the inside (You set us free) Lawrence Richards has a pithy comment stating that "One way to build our own prayer lives, and to direct our intercession for others, is to model our prayers on those found in Scripture. God is patient with His children, working with us until we see things aright. We have His "seal" on us, and more accurately within us in the presence of His Holy Spirit. We have an inheritance in him, and he has an inheritance in us. It would have been a tall prayer if Paul had prayed that we would know Gods inheritance in the saints. Paul writes to the believers at Rome asking "Or do you not know (eido) what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?" It is according to the working (energeian, energetic power, from which comes the Eng. 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. We have been called by grace, to glory. Incorruptible! NLT: I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called. 17 But I do more than thank. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Hope gives us the assurance that we are going toward something better than this present life. That's a good description of the way God gives His riches to us. For Further Study: Read 1 Chronicles 29:1113. That burden was placed there by the Lord as part of His calling. The definite article in Greek ("the") precedes pisteuo, which means these are literally "the" believing ones (i.e., they are genuine believers). 3:21; Col. 2:12; 2 Thess. There are a good number of folks who have believed and been saved who's faith hasn't grown. Now the eyes of the believers heart must be continually taken up with his Lord in order that his knowledge of spiritual truth might increase. Try to grasp the scope of that thought, dearly beloved of God! 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. Read the Bible, discover plans, and seek God every day. If I were to put you in a barrel and put that barrel in the Mississippi River, where would you be? Used by permission of NavPress. The surpassing greatness of Gods power is given to every believer, not just to those who believe and then have a mystical experience, second blessing, or some other supposed additional work of grace. We so selfishly begin in our thinking with ourselves. 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. Joshua The succession of ideas follows the order of conversion--first, "calling;" then acceptance to "inheritance;" lastly, "inward working of divine power" in the accepted. GotQuestions.org, Warren Wiersbe sums up Paul's prayer for the saints to know the power they possess - The power of the Holy Spirit, through the resurrected, ascended Christ, is available to all Christiansby faith. This marvelous faculty of spiritual sight is lacking in the unregenerated man. But, also. Have you ever wondered why church prayer meetings tend to have low turnouts? Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. And so inspired by the Spirit, Paul emphasizes that God has even more blessings to bestow on His children, the blessing of "resurrection power" so that saved sinners so that we might be enabled to live a supernatural life! by Theodore Epp - Ephesians 1: 19-23 The Scriptures frequently refer to God's power as it relates to the believer. No. We must live as saints, Gods holy ones, separate from this evil world. 2:12) as, strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.. Some commentators see His inheritance as a reference to believers, who are Gods inheritance or special possession (Eph 1:14). Paul explained (Col. 1:29), For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Laboring in His power is the antidote to burnout. Acts The power of God is most neglected resource in the Church. This is the curse of Christian living. God is far more involved with His universe than some would like to think. Salvation is not a joint project, where we teamed up with God to bring it about. That men might know the measure of Gods power. There are seminary professors who can exegete the Greek text here, but these glorious truths do not thrill their hearts. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. 1 Corinthians 1:1). 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. The eye on yours is dusty. He cleaned it and the problems disappeared. (NLT - Tyndale House), Phillips: that you may receive that inner illumination of the spirit which will make you realise how great is the hope to which He is calling you - the magnificence and splendour of the inheritance promised to Christians - (Phillips: Touchstone), Wuest: the eyes of your heart being in an enlightened state with a view to your knowing what is the hope of His calling, what is the wealth of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,(Eerdmans Publishing- usedby permission), Young's Literal: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, for your knowing what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. This is obvious when the writer of Genesis says that Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived (Gen. 4:1 ESV, emphasis added). Surely not. Instead, it is powertowardus (Ephesians 1:19ESV, emphasis added). For fifteen years the Romans defended their homeland against the brilliant Carthaginianand could never drive him out. God called the entire nation of Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). The little boy just stood there and made no move for the candy. (Click to read more about your inheritance in Spurgeon's Sermon A Wise Desire based on Ps 47:4). Also the verb ischuooIt is good for nothing (Mt. I have riches of value untold. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. I pray that you may know what is the hope of [Gods] calling (Eph. Freedom, You have given us freedom 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. (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith). 1:9), God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. Knowing that you are saved because in eternity God purposed to save you and that His purpose is certain, will give you assurance you when youre struggling with doubt or failure. I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, (Mornings with Tozer: Daily Devotional Readings). Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16). And, though acres vast enough to make an English county are in his possession, rich and loamy soil, or stored with mines of ore, yet he is not sensibly the richer. 7:24; 19:11f, 14; 24:21, 25; 26:11; 27:12; 30:6, 15, 18, 21; 31:18; 32:12, 16, 18, 20, 26, 29ff; 33:28; 34:27; Dan. It is the reserve of strength. What (5101) (tis) is singular in contrast to the next clause regarding "riches" which is introduced with "what are" which is plural. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The Lord, however, says, Not so fast. Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 2123). | GotQuestions.org, Is there any power in positive thinking? All rights reserved. Ephesians 1:18 In-Context 16 I couldn't stop thanking God for you - every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. In Philippians 3:21 Paul states that the Lord Jesus Christ "will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the (supernatural) exertion (energeia) of the power that He has (KJV - according to the working whereby He is able = dunamai in present tense = continuously able) even to subject all things to Himself (Php 3:21+), The surpassing power which God's Spirit uses in continually energizing our supernatural life (Php 2:13-note), in ministering to our spiritual needs, is in accordance with, commensurate with His infinite, immeasurable divine energy. The idea is to cause something to be fully known by revealing clearly and in some detail. A marvellous lift was there! This is misapplication of this English derivative in an attempt to try to picture the life saving power of the gospel. "Redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins," which comes from God's grace (Ephesians 1:7-note). Verse of the Day , Ephesians 1:18 Treasury of Scripture Knowing, God, My Praise (Study In God - All I Need-19). Vine explains that genuine belief is a firm conviction of the truth, a surrender to that truth and a conduct that results from that surrender. I make the best my goal; We are saved by grace, through faith (Eph. Whatever Thou dost get out of us, Thou must first put in. Colossians We are the Lords Portion, the Lords Inheritance. Thus, Love the Lord thy God with all thy strength (Mk 12:30): according to the working of his mighty power (Eph. 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. B. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. 1 Samuel But, Paul adds, the surpassing greatness of His power, and then goes on to say (1:19b-21) that this power is in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Wow! When He ascended, we ascended. 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. 1:3), you are less likely to succumb to temptation. He thinks of us as His inheritance. On the way home, the father asked the boy why he didn't reach his own hand into the jar. Photizo - 11v -Lk. Notice here-. That we might sense and experience the working of His incomparably great power for us who believe (Ep 1:19a). (Ephesians 1:18) What an extraordinary combination! NET and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength. In referring to those who believe Paul goes beyond the initial act of faith in God for salvation and speaks of a continuing and growing faith. . 3. the mighty power by which he energizes them.[71]. Think about it: When the church holds a Bible study, concert, or picnic, many people show up. Click for multiple Scriptures dealing with the other view (#2) that the inheritance refers to what believers will inherit one day by virtue of their position in Christ. The eyes of your heart will be enlightened! Zechariah But there's no hidden message in the National Research Council's verdict on such techniques. The heart the seat of the mind and will, and the heart could be taught what the brain could never know (or sadly the converse to know something intellectually but not in one's heart!) No longer bound by sin and darkness The Greek tense is aorist imperative which speaks in context of a request in the form of a command and speaks of urgency and need) my eyes, that I may behold (careful, sustained, and favorable contemplation - LXX translates with katanoeo from kata = down + noeo is literally to the the mind down on and speaks of giving very careful consideration to some matter, think about very carefully, consider closely. Long before he laid down earths foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. 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. Observe that the power which raised Christ from the dead was glorious. Bend the whole energy of your powers to realize your election as a child of God; rise to the occasion every time. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:12). There is the general call of the gospel that goes out to all people. We do not ask for it we were born into its blessed privilege. Notice that pisteuo is in the present tense which describes those who are continuously believing as for example would be demonstrated by their lifestyle, which is generally (not perfectly) directed God-ward and Heaven-ward (homeward). Gods calling of Israel was to showcase Gods salvation to the pagan world. 2 Kings This is the same mighty power (NLT - Tyndale House), Phillips: and how tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God. The world can't understand it, but we can. How much spiritual strength is available for me in my daily life? As we step into the lifts which are attached to so many factories and offices, and expect them to bear us upward, never doubting for a moment that they will do it if only we keep in the line of their ascent; so, if we would keep in abiding fellowship with the Holy Spirit--i.e., if we would not wilfully step out of the range of his blessed help--we should find ourselves mounting with wings as eagles, and going from strength to strength. 1QS 11:36). He let us in on that mystery. But here, Paul is writing to believers (saints, us who believe, 1:18, 19).