1112)? Augustine therefore said truly, "Give what Thou commandest, and then command what Thou wilt.". Thayer summarizes kleronomia as (1) an inheritance, property received (or to be received) by inheritance, or (2) what is given to one as a possession. 1:10; Heb. 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! I cant handle hearing all of the heartbreaking prayer requests for sick children, terminally ill relatives, and church members in financial turmoil.. Malachi But the antidote to these dangers is not to remain ignorant. Our faith in Christ did not originate with our feeble will, but with the sovereign, eternal will of God. (Ephesians 1:18) What an extraordinary combination! 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! Paul describes unbelievers as (Eph. When he prayed that believers would know Gods incomparably great power, his idea of knowing came right from the Old Testament. Amen. Compatibility Mechanical: 64 Bit (x64) They propagate self-effort and introspective meditation, but spiritual enlightenment doesnt come through such means. For long days he travels, towards his inheritance and presently pitches his flimsy shanty upon its borders. 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. He makes supplication for the continued growth of the Ephesians in knowledge (Ephesians 1:1719a) and explains truth regarding the power and position of Christ, including the subjection of all things to Christ (verses 19b23). "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. 8:30), the God who predestined you and called you will also glorify you. 1 Thessalonians (The Reciprocal Inheritance). In the first instance it means a lot. In following the call of God, we must be sure to obey His instructions in Scripture. Notice in this one letter Paul prays twice for the saints to experience dunamis which He associates with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Therefore, not only do we have an inheritance (Eph 1:14) but He also has an inheritance (Eph 1:18). If Gods power toward us is so great, why do so many Christians fall into serious sin. It is an expectation or confidence. And not just for the time being, but forever. (Commentary on the New Testament:), Warren Wiersbe - First, enlightenment comes from the Holy Spirit. 3:24; 4:37; 8:17f; 9:26, 29; 26:8; 32:13; 33:11, 25, 27; Jos. And what is he attempting to describe? 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. Ezekiel 6:9; 7:9; 8:7; Joel 2:22; Amos 2:14; 3:11; 5:9; 6:13; Mic. YouVersion uses cookies to personalize your experience. To be called by God is to be chosen by God for certain purposes. No. Jesus said thats the way the Kingdom is. In Ephesians 1:14+ (cf Eph 1:11) Paul spoke of our inheritance, but here the request seems to speak of God's inheritance in believers. And given the fact that the truth of "in Christ" is transcendent, we should always pray this prayer for ourselves and others (remember that Eph 1:16 "making mention" is present tense= continuously) and of course the only way we can possibly "pray without ceasing" (1Th 5:17+) is by the Spirit's enabling power. Although the participle follows the hinaof Eph 1:17, it is awkward grammatically in the clause. But wholly lean on Jesus name. He rarely had a good nights sleep, and guards stood constantly at his door. If we are to ever see revival (ED: PERSONAL OR CORPORATE!) ), How is this resurrection power demonstrated even in this letter? Ephesians 1:18-19 In-Context 16 I couldn't stop thanking God for you - every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. Nehemiah Ischus is that strength which one has in possession or ability. | GotQuestions.org, What does the Bible say about the power of words? They dont know the reality of heaven. What does this "working of the strength of His might" look like? of What did God require of him (vv. ", Colossians 1:29 records Paul's testimony: "I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.". God gives usspiritual giftsto aid us in our call to service. 12:29): a mighty famine (Lk15:14): his letters are powerful (2 Cor. The Message (MSG). This he did altogether apart from any goodness in them at the time, or any goodness which he foresaw in them. And all the crops of golden grain, all the fruits of Christian grace, are Thine from us, because Thou hast by thy blood and tears, by the sunshine of thy love, and the rain of thy grace, enriched natures which in themselves were arid as the desert and barren as the sand. They will give us the hope and eternal perspective that we need to endure trials. This magnificent accumulation of words for power underscores the magnitude of Gods great power available to Christians. Remember that the first three chapters are doctrine but the last three are "duty," calling for a walk "in step" with the doctrinal truths. KJV And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. In other words, believers cannot do with this power what they choose, but its use must conform to the direction given by Christ, the head of the Church. It is great power: nothing less would suffice. Hoehner adds this description on elpis -In Greek thought hope consists merely of a consoling dream of the imagination designed to forget the present troubles but yet leaving one with many uncertainties. Illustration - In 218 b.c. Thus as Christians, we should be filled with hope because we know that God has called us to salvation. God the Father gave the world to Adam. The text is clear! We need not pray for power to evangelize, to witness the gospel to others. Because of the glorious grace (v. 6) of the glorious Father (v. 17), He will receive His glorious inheritance (v. 18). 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. Ischus - 10 times in the NT translated: might, 5; power, 1; strength, 4. . 28:9; 33:12; 78:62, 71; 106:5, 40; Isa. Oswald Chambers -The habit of rising to the occasion. This indicates how precious his people are to God. Nothing will rob you of your assurance quicker than unconfessed sin. The uses of eido will not be listed because of the large number (656 hits in 619 verses searching on Strong's Number in the NT - if you want to see these usesCLICK HERE and go down to the "Frequency Lists" and you can study the uses in different translations book by book). The inability to see and understand spiritual things is not the fault of the intelligence but of the heart. Love will only give itself to love. you may know (eido) that you have eternal life. (see note). It is kept for us, and we are kept for it. Then ask God to restore to you the joy of your salvation. 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. Note that Paul writes to living saints (not dead ones), people who have put faith in Christ. Eph 4:4). Conversely, revival cannot come if we are far removed from God. Believe (4100) (pisteuo) refers not just to an intellectual assent to the truths of the gospel but to a saving belief that effects the heart, resulting in a transformed, supernaturally directed conduct based on the truth believed. 12:2) by filling you with the knowledge of [Gods] will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Col. 1:9). I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:12). The devil hopes you don't understand this. I askask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of gloryto make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, 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, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust himendless energy, boundless strength! He will bring fruit out of thy rockiest nature, as the Norwegians raise crops on every scrap of soil on their mountain slopes. 2. the rich inheritance that he possesses in them, and This is amazing grace indeed! That which is dynamic is characterized by energy or forces that produce motion, as opposed to that which is static. Obadiah That view stresses the value God places on us as believers, as demonstrated in Christs death, the forgiveness of our sins, and the abundant grace that He lavishes on us (Eph 1: 78). Usually ischus denotes power, might, strength, ability. Ancient understanding is often linked to other kinds of power or authority (e.g., dunamis, exousia; cf. 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. F B Meyer writes about THE SAINTS' INHERITANCE IN GOD (Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 5:5). He also helped found Fuller Seminary in 1947 and worked ceaselessly for Christ until his death in 1968. By Gods great mercy we have been begotten again (1Pet 1:3-note). 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. Jesus, You have given us freedom I cannot understand how this can be, but I know that God has an inheritance even in me. Right here is where the average Christian fails. Nothing less than omnipotence can save a soul; and omnipotence at its very best in the glorification of Christ is none too great for the salvation of a sinner. Acts 26:18+ to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.. Can you conceive this? Having all our needs met by God (Philippians 4:19) (see note), The "wisdom and knowledge of God" (Romans 11:33) (see note). of In other words, if we now have come to believe in Christ, we can know that it took nothing less than Gods mighty power to bring us to that point. It abounded with orators and philosophers, and men of great wisdom and learning {c}; and was formerly a very rich, trading, flourishing city, but now a village, and a poor desolate place; it retains the name of Efeso, though the Turks call it Aia Salik. The next time you participate in a group prayer session, speak up with a bold heart and give honor to the almighty God. 1:19; Eph. 1:18; Eph. We have been called, chosen, justified, and glorified for we are saved by grace through faith in Christ and are become his chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. Many believers were more interested in doing what felt right than in doing what God declared to be right.Instead of their emotions being controlled by Gods truth, their emotions distorted their understanding of His truth. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened- Physical eyes (or ears) cannot see (hear) these deeper truths. Used from Homer on it meant originally the fragment of stone or piece of wood which was used as a lot. That call became his motivating force. 2:4): strength of sin (1 Cor. QUESTION -Do believers really have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:1920)? Just as His calling (Eph 1:18) issued from Him and was received by believers, so His inheritance issues from Him. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary), John MacArthur has an excellent discussion of this verse - Paul uses four different Greek synonyms to emphasize the greatness of that power. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle. Certainly, there is always the danger of spiritual pride that comes from thinking that you know more than others know. It always refers to supernatural power: once of satanic power (2 Thess 2:9), while the others allude to Gods power directly (Eph 1:19; 3:7; Phil 3:21; Col 1:29; 2:12; 2 Thess 2:11) or indirectly (Eph 4:16). Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. There are seminary professors who can exegete the Greek text here, but these glorious truths do not thrill their hearts. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might- Paul piles one word upon another in this incredible description. After all, what good is it to have wealth if you are too weak to use it? And this is God's message to thee, O Christian soul! When we make use of these resources, we will experience the mighty power with which God raised Christ from death! Sublimal Messages Don't Work - Americans spend $50 million a year on subliminal message tapes designed to help them do everything from improve their self-image to stop smoking. From her own people Rome raised an army, animated it with patriotism, and ordered it to fight. His power delivered over 6 million people save through the Red Sea, while at the same time destroying the entire army of Egypt, the greatest army in the world at that time! The fact that God exerted such mighty power to save us implies that His same mighty power will keep us. Wealthybut miserable! . But now Rader was fighting for souls, and as he stood to speak he proclaimed his text, Ephesians 1:18. The same continuous current of His mighty power stands available to the faithful, to all who will believe. So what does he do? They dont know the reality of heaven. The hope of your calling is grounded in Gods promises and in Christs accomplishments. 1. So that (1519) (eis) conveys the primary idea of motion into any place or thing figuratively as here speaks of the purpose for the Ephesian saints having been enlightened. 31:10; Ezek. Exodus Why is it important to know what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints? But that one in our nature should be exalted to that seat of pre-eminence and power; that the Mediator between God and man should be the man Christ Jesus; that the hands which once were nailed to the cross should now hold the sceptre, and that the feet which once walked on Lake Gennesaret, which were weary and dust-soiled at Jacobs well, which were washed with a sinful womans tears and kissed in penitential grief and love with polluted lipsthat these very feet should now have all things put under them both in heaven and earth, there is the mystery. 22:5. 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." THOUGHT - Believers in Christ are privileged to worship the Truth personified and consummated in Christ Jesus! Notice here-. This simple discipline will serve to slow you down and allow you to more actively engage the text which facilitates more effective interaction with your Teacher the Spirit, the Author of the text! The Kleronomos is one who has been given a kleros, the inheritor. It can be used of any kind of extraordinary power. 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. This inheritance will be fully realized in the future. 31:3; Ezek. I am in total agreement with you. The eyes of your heart will be enlightened! Instead, it is powertowardus (Ephesians 1:19ESV, emphasis added). 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. THOUGHT: When you open your Bible, ask the Author to open your heart! Practice these truths enabled by the Holy Spirit. "Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. " The prayer moves from God and Christ (Eph 1:17, 20-21) to the Ephesians (Eph 1:17-19) and the church (Eph 1:22-23). In later Christianity this enlightening was equated with baptism (cf. We have to exercise ourselves in order that the Son of God may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 1 Corinthians 1:1). We, who are God's tillage, must make no bargain with his ploughshare, and withhold no acre from the operations of his Spirit. There are too many Christians trying to do the work of God without first being filled with God. If God can raise Jesus from the dead, God can provide all that is promised to the believer. Paul applies this truth that we are God's inheritance in his letter to the Corinthians writing Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 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 . For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 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. 15:19). Pray Ephesians 1:17-19 (and other Pauline prayers). 31:14. After addressing the role and example of Gods power inEphesians 1:114, Paul then informs the Ephesians that he gives thanks for them and their faith (verses 1516). 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. (Daily Bible Study). He does not ask God to give them what they do not have, but rather prays that God will reveal to them what they already have. 1QS 11:36). They are actually conflicts with evil spiritual forces (6:12). Some have learnt the happy art of receiving and utilizing every square inch if we may use the expression of that knowledge of God which has been revealed to them.