Thus here Paul is emphasizing Gods power that already saved us rather than the power that He gives to sustain us. Our society has been enamored with the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, especially since the influx of Eastern thought into the West during the 1960s. God called the entire nation of Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). Now we are drowning in a sea of false religions and New Age philosophies. He returned home and wrote his wife, who was away: There has come a complete change into my life. Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. How long he laid siege to our hearts! For example, a young nursery worker may read about babies languishing in Romanian orphanages. Rom. Dunamis is, however, mostly power in action, as in the frequent use of dunamis for miracles, mighty works, they being exhibitions of divine virtue. Note that Paul writes to living saints (not dead ones), people who have put faith in Christ. 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. My hope is built on nothing less 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+). If one had learnt a swifter art of appropriating the wealth that lay open to his hand, he would be actually, though perhaps not potentially, richer than his neighbour. Jesus was buried and remained in the tomb for three days (John 19:42). Only when we come to understand how our lives are anchored in eternity (Heb 6:18-19+) can we have the right perspective and motivation for living in time (1Jn 3:2-3+). 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. I have a heritage of joy, Romans 8:28-30 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. - Now, I want to ask you a question: Are you sitting in this auditorium, this morning, or are you sitting in heavenly places? God intends that His work be accomplished by His power. In the Greek culture the seat of emotions would be the intestines. ", Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Paul wants to encourage us as we realize that our salvation is evidence of Gods surpassingly great power at work in us. 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. THOUGHT - Beloved, there is a powerful principle taught in this section. It is his power. He finally disembarked his troops from a lack of support at home. He also helped found Fuller Seminary in 1947 and worked ceaselessly for Christ until his death in 1968. Photizo - 11v -Lk. Or the funds to go on the radio. Ephesians 1:18 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 (NASB: Lockman). Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the security of your salvation. properly transcendent and immeasurable, and passes thought and desire and knowledge. 3. the mighty power by which he energizes them.[71]. 1:19, p. 214): Pauls object, therefore, was not only to impress the Ephesians with a deep sense of the value of Divine grace, but also to give them exalted views of the glory of Christs kingdom. ESV and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might. Oh! Morning and Evening, Spurgeon - In the resurrection of Christ, as in our salvation, there was put forth nothing short of a divine power. Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. Is she supposed to do something about this? | 8,801 views. (Ibid). I do not mean that God is trying to appear to our physical eyesight. When he prayed that believers would know Gods incomparably great power, his idea of knowing came right from the Old Testament. The Church as Christ's Body and the Christian as a member of that Body are the manifestation of God's glory on earth to-day, feeble and inadequate as it is. WHAT ARE THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS: tis o ploutos tes doxes tes kleronomias autou en tois hagiois: There are two ways to interpret "the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (1) The saints are His inheritance He considers a treasure of incomparable worth! And I see my past has been redeemed Look at our Lords body in the tomb. Ecclesiastes God has laid up spiritual blessings for us in his Son the Lord Jesus; but requires us to draw them out and fetch them in by prayer. In hours of weakness they drew on God's power; in those of suffering, on his patience; in those of misunderstanding and hatred, on his vindication; in those of apparent defeat and despair, on the promises that gleam over the smoke of the battle, as the Cross before the gaze of Constantine; in death itself, on the life and immortality which find their home in the being of Jehovah. But with God this shall never be. A strong man (Mt. Leaning his head on the seat in front of him, he trembled. No, because hes after the treasure. Jon Courson - Throughout Scripture, the word hope always refers to that which is coming, to that which is ahead. The occasion of it was the foresight the apostle had of false teachers that would spring up in this church, after his death, and spread their pernicious doctrines, and draw away disciples after them, and do great mischief in the church; wherefore the design of this epistle is to establish the saints in the doctrines of the Gospel, that so they might not be carried away with the errors of the wicked: the subject matter of it is most excellent; it treats of the most sublime doctrines of grace, of divine predestination, and eternal election, of redemption by Christ, and of peace and pardon by his blood, of conversion by the power of efficacious grace, and of salvation by the free grace of God, in opposition to works: it also very largely treats of the nature and usefulness of the Gospel ministry, and of gifts qualifying for it, and of the several duties of religion incumbent on Christians; and the method which is used is exceeding apt and beautiful, for the apostle first begins with the doctrines of the Gospel, which he distinctly handles and explains, and then proceeds to enforce the duties belonging to men, both as men and Christians. He bought the world to get the treasure. NET NOTE has an interesting comment that a paraphrase reads "Since you are enlightened by Gods Spirit, I pray that you may comprehend the hope to which he has called you, the spiritual riches that await the saints in glory, and the spiritual power that is available to the saints now. Thus, the prayer focuses on all three temporal aspects of our salvation as these are embedded in the genitivesthe past (calling), the future (inheritance), and the present (power toward us who believe). May we learn daily to surrender to the Spirit of Christ, Who energizes our walk, elevating it from a "natural" to a "supernatural" walk. Eido was found in the Greek secular writings to describe a theory or hypothesis which had been confirmed. It is grace that supplies the wealth, but it is faith that lays hold of the wealth (cp 2Cor 5:7-note). The KJV has a unique and memorable way of translating this verse And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power", Paxson - God would then tell us that in this wonder-working power is all that is needed for the commencement, continuance and consummation of our salvation: that it is all-sufficient for every demand made upon the saint in appropriating his wealth, in walking worthily of his high calling, and in wrestling victoriously against Satanic powers. Ephesians 1:1820. Meditate on the truths in Ephesians Chapter One. The faith that saves is not the faith whereby we live the victorious Christian life. Rather, He is trying to appear to the eye of our soul through an inner consciousness. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name (1 Chron. 26:20; Num. 2:1416). I finally see what youre telling me, Lord!" The church, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, is similarly called: You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10). Lehman Strauss-Paul requests for the saints the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ that they might know three things:(1) The hope of His calling. God has called us, but to what purpose? Living in the light of Your goodness (The Immeasurable Greatness of His Power Toward Us). Even true believers greatly want heavenly wisdom. Savor each moment. 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! When he began to share his wealth with others in great philanthropic endeavors, his health improved considerably and he lived to be an old man Gods power enables us to use Gods wealth. This expectation of seeing Jesus, our "Blessed Hope" [see below] and being like Him is entertained equally by both Jewish and Gentile believers. (2Pe 2:11+). (John 8:55). He will occupy and keep thee. The Father has chosen (verse 4) and predestined (verse 5) believers to adoption in Jesus Christ. 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. This power was irresistible. As you face this new day, do so with the confidence that you are one of Gods elect. If God can raise Jesus from the dead, God can provide all that is promised to the believer. of Amen, Paxson -How seldom we think of what we are to God! When He ascended, we ascended. We will be perfect in righteousness and in love for God and one another. The hope of our calling is the absolute certainty of our heavenly destiny and includes all that awaits the saints at the return of the Lord Jesus and is what Paul referred to by the phrase the "Blessed hope" writing in Titus that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking (not just any kind of looking but looking anxiously, eagerly, earnestly, expectantly) for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Living on the inside (You set us free) In Ephesians 1, the apostle Paul let his "students" know that he prayed for them constantly. Thus, His possession is located in the saints. How does this apply? In none of these prayers does Paul request material things. 2 Corinthians All rights reserved, Life Application Study Bible: New Living Translation, Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company, Complete Biblical Library - Incredible Resource, Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament. J C Philpot -It is no great mystery that the Son of God should be exalted to the throne of power. 22:5. 5:2) and motivate you to godly living (1 John 3:3). Jesus, You have given us freedom (Eph 1:3). By it He speaks to the soul, grants saving faith, and ushers elect sinners into salvation (John 6:3744, 65; Acts 2:39). Nahum 1317). Thats 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 couldnt stop thanking God for youevery time I prayed, Id think of you and give thanks. You have given us freedom, hallelujah If you identify with these sentiments, you are not alone. If not, why not? Practice these truths enabled by the Holy Spirit. the more we will be motivated That's what Paul is praying for here. Someone has so well said, "God was not satisfied in possessing suns and stars; He wanted sons and saints." That never can. It is a beautiful picture, the heart being regarded as having eyes looking out toward God and all of the spiritual blessings that have their source and supply in God's Beloved Son. Only when we know who we really are can we live like who we are. Zechariah Paul usessaints nine times - Ep 1:1+, Eph 1:15+, Eph 1:18+; Eph 2:19+;; Eph 3:8+, Eph 3:18+; Eph 4:12+; Eph 5:3+; Eph 6:18+. When we shall see the dead rise from the grave by their own power, then may we expect to see ungodly sinners of their own free will turning to Christ. The American Standard Version reads: "the eyes of your heart," not mind. Peter saysThink it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you. Rise to the occasion; do the thing. Isaiah | GotQuestions.org, Is there power in the name of Jesus? Im convinced the single greatest problem carnal Christians have is that they dont know the hope of His calling. 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?")