And so the ESV Study Bible comments that "The inheritance here is not the Christians inheritance but his (Gods). WithoutGodspower, these things would not be possible (seeLuke 18:2627). Rely on His grace and strength in doing so. That we might look beyond appearances, to see the church as God doesa people transformed to display His glory, unspeakably precious to Him (Ep 1:18). Dunamis - 119x in 115v - Here are Paul's uses of dunamis in Ephesians Eph 1:19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. For years, Ive been hearing Jesus could come at any time. 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). Since land was divided by lot, probably in the framework of common use of the fields, kleros came to mean a share, land received by lot, plot of land, and finally inheritance. To summarize, Paul prayed that we would come to know God more intimatelyin order that we might know the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the saints. He gathers out the fruits from among the leaves, that his people might have the best food, and enjoy the richest pleasures. 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. So there is great glory to God in the conversion of every sinner. That's what Paul is praying for here. The city of Ephesus is, by Pliny {a}, called the other light of Asia; Miletus was one, and Ephesus the other: it was the metropolis of the lesser Asia, and one of the twelve cities of Ionia, and the first and chief of them: it is said to be built by the Amazons {b}: it was famous for the magnificent temple of Diana; and the inhabitants of it were very much given to superstition and idolatry, and even to devilish arts, Ac 19:19. Proud member One demon says to the other, "Demon, if those liberal theologians ever really let Jesus Christ out of that tomb, and those so-called Baptist preachers begin to preach itwhew! And so they liken them to fruit and branch and root; but we need simply say that the gathering together of words so nearly co-extensive in their meaning is witness to the effort to condense the infinite within the bounds of human tongue, to speak the unspeakable; and that these reiterated expressions, like the blows of the billows that succeed one another on the beach, are hints of the force of the infinite ocean that lies behind 'According to the working of the strength of the might which He wrought in Christ' - the Resurrection, the Ascension, the session at the right hand of God, the rule over all creatures, and the exaltation above all things on earth or in the heavens - these are the facts which the Apostle brings before us as the pattern-works, the chefs-d'oeuvre of the power that is operating in all Christians. Kleronomia is literally what is received as a gift from someone who has died, but figuratively as in this verse it refers in a religious sense to God's promised salvation, gifts, and benefits. God glories in his saints. In a figurative sense, kleronomia refers to God's promised salvation, gifts, and benefits as our inheritance (which is the use in Eph 5:5-note) and eternal possession for every believer. Nothing will rob you of your assurance quicker than unconfessed sin. 20-23All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. Even the best Christians need to be prayed for: and while we hear of the welfare of Christian friends, we should pray for them. It sounds idealistic. They are the real eyes for discerning the nature of issues important to God. In summary, Paul is praying for one of the things these believers need to fully understand and to deeply realize -- the hope of God's calling. To find assurance, one must look to the covenant-keeping God and Scripture. 11:36; Jn. The devil can distract you, and he can even cause you to stumble, but he cannot steal the promises of God unless you let him. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. Strength (2904) (kratos) refers to manifested power or power that is put forth in action. You have given us freedom, hallelujah Plato (Protagoras, 350) draws the distinction thus: I should not have admitted that the able (dunatous) are strong (ischurous), though I have admitted that the strong are able. 5:11; Jude 1:25; Rev. Perhaps it is because many of us assume in advance how the meeting will go. No spendthrift hand can scatter or over-spend its treasures. You have given us freedom, Johnson asks "What is the greatness of the power to us what who believe? Job In the Mississippi River, right? His power provides the way of escape from every temptation that we face (1 Cor. Now my whole lifes aims and ambitions are changed. They are actually conflicts with evil spiritual forces (6:12). He has just prayed that God would give to them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. They propagate self-effort and introspective meditation, but spiritual enlightenment doesnt come through such means. In short, Paul prays for our position in Christ to become our practice in Christ. Jesus, You have given us freedom And God's surpassing power is available to believers because we are in Christ and He is in us, these "positions" picturing an immutable union, a oneness, a solemn and binding covenant relationship. We are the Lords Portion, the Lords Inheritance. One might think of ischus as God's latent power. 5 Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. 1:4). 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. Know (1492) (eido, oida - eido is used only in the perfect tense = oida) means in general to know by perception. This is obvious when the writer of Genesis says that Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived (Gen. 4:1 ESV, emphasis added). The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. In later Christianity this enlightening was equated with baptism (cf. Luke To which is added another, and that is redemption; the author of which is Christ; the price, or procuring and meritorious cause of it is his blood; a branch of which is forgiveness of sins; and the whole is according to the plenteous and free grace of God, Eph 1:7, the entire plan and scheme of which is the produce of abundant wisdom and prudence, Eph 1:8, and is no other than the mystery of the will of God revealed in the Gospel, according to his sovereign will and purpose, Eph 1:9, which lay hid within himself until the fulness of times, or the Gospel dispensation, in which Christ being sent, has gathered all together in himself, Eph 1:10, through whom the saints enjoy the inheritance they are adopted to in predestination, which is the effect of an unfrustrable purpose, and a wise counsel and will, Eph 1:11. We must live as citizens of heaven who belong to God. It is power to overcome what stands in the way. Why is there so little power when God states that He has given us His Divine power? Do believers really have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:1920)? Sometimes both terms are used interchangeably for nahlh (e.g. We have it all now, and we will have it throughout eternity." The ESV also picks up the perfecttense rendering it "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened," which also describes a past completed action. 6:2; 8:3; 10:7; 17:17; Jdg. Hoehner adds that "Paul is not saying that the power is available at moments of belief, but rather he is stating that the power is available to believers. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Wiersbe -The very power that raised Jesus from the dead is available for our daily lives! Of course, all these blessings are only for those who meet the conditions set forth in Eph 1:1-2 (ED: THOSE WHO BELIEVE). There are too many Christians trying to do the work of God without first being filled with God. Our salvation from start to finish is due to the surpassing greatness of His power! 3:9 = "and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery"; 2 Tim. (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. When He ascended, we ascended. 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. He teaches you to recognize and uphold what is excellent so that you will be sincere and blameless before God (Phil. In other words, this is not just an intellectual ability to understand or teach these truths. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to his people. Titus He said, "It's not like you to be shy." He rarely had a good nights sleep, and guards stood constantly at his door. 5:16). But there are many good reasons to interpret the text this way. 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". Philemon Already we have noted that God made us His heritage that we should be to the praise of His glory (1:11-12). Because he wants the field? But there is a second reason why we need Gods power. It is kept for us, and we are kept for it. he prays that they may come to the full knowledge and possession thereof in Christ. In the NT the idea of chance attaching to the lot is eliminated for all believers we inherit all spiritual blessings in Christ. God is far more involved with His universe than some would like to think. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? Kratos is exercised strength whereas ischus refers to great inherent strength. Ask Him to impress on your heart the blessings and responsibilities of your calling. It is an expectation or confidence. 10:16; 51:19; etc.). Believers already have that power. (cf Dt 32:9+) And thats what we are. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. In Ephesians6, Paul uses a memory devicethe armor of a Roman soldierto help the Ephesian believers remember the resources he has already discussed in his letter (vv. No, not at all. The prophet Jeremiah proclaims that knowledge of God is more valuable than anything else. 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. In this context dunamis refers to inherent power, found in and dispensed by God (cf Ro 1:16+= "the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation"). Just as His calling (Eph 1:18) issued from Him and was received by believers, so His inheritance issues from Him. 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. Every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure (I John 3:3). I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. This power is only for Christians, for those who believe. What a transformation took place in Peters life between the end of the Gospels and the beginning of Acts. So here he takes view #2, but in the following note below he takes view #1! He desires that they be aware of the spiritual dimension. 31:14. After this time, Jesus rose from the dead, the miracle of miracles. It is Christs coming to take His own to be with Himself. As you pray and study Gods Word, He transforms and renews your mind (Rom. 12)? 2:9; 2 Thess. 1 Samuel 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 . O child of God, thy estate has been procured at the cost of blood and tears; but thou didst not buy it! When we are saved we receive all of Gods grace and all of His power, and that assures us of the realization of our eternal hope. Ischus therefore conveys the sense of endowed power or ability. 1:18; Eph. The Father has chosen (verse 4) and predestined (verse 5) believers to adoption in Jesus Christ. observe fully, consider attentively denotes action of mind apprehending certain facts about a thing) wonderful (amazing, astounding, marvelous, extraordinary or even difficult - things beyond human capability) things from Thy law. So even though many of the translations are not perfectly accurate to the Gree, they all retain the essence of Paul's desire for the saints to "know" these three things beyond a shadow of a doubt. Jesus was buried and remained in the tomb for three days (John 19:42). (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. . Nothing can separate you from His love (Rom. The faith that saves is not the faith whereby we live the victorious Christian life. Now I have resurrection power living on the inside Even though He has given humankind the freedom to make choices, His choices have already been made (Exodus 33:19;Romans 9:1018). So even in the most difficult trials, we can be filled with hope (see Rom. Hoeher comments that "Having mentioned the surpassing greatness of Gods power, Paul is now going to show that it is literally according to the power of the power of his power. Paul lists a series of three words for power used to describe the standard of the surpassing greatness of Gods power." Illustration - In 218 b.c. 15:56). THESE ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORKING OF THE STRENGTH OF HIS MIGHT: kata ten energeian tou kratous tes ischuos autou: INDESCRIBABLY TRANSCENDENT Hartzler. With that thought in mind a more accurate rendering is that of Wuest who has "the eyes of your heart being in an enlightened state with a view to your knowing what is the hope of His calling." The man was powerfully built, and Fuller visualized how he must have looked in the ring. I never heard such a sermon in all my lifeEphesians 1:18. 6:22 =that he may comfort your hearts. 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. It will fill you with thanksgiving, joy, and hope. But I do more than thank. 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.
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