He said that we never form adequate conceptions of the treasure of the gospel, or if we do, we cant persuade ourselves that these things pertain to us, because they are so far from what we experience. The Holy Spirit reveals truth to us from the Word, and then gives us the wisdom to understand and apply it. (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith), John MacArthur - MAINTAINING A CLEAR PERSPECTIVE. All members of the true church are called to the one destiny of being taken out of this world, being like Christ [1John 3:2], and sharing His glory forever. This is the curse of Christian living. 1:6, 14; Ezek. It sounds idealistic. 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! 9:23; 10:12; 15:10, 13; 16:19; 20:5; 23:10; 27:5; 32:17; 49:16; 51:15, 53; Lam. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:18 titled "The Hope of His Calling," Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds this great prayer of Paul and carefully navigates between the general call of God in the gospel for all and the effectual call of the Holy Spirit for believers. Second is energeia (working), the energizing force of the Spirit that empowers believers to live for the Lord. (Risen: 50 Reasons Why the Resurrection Changed Everything), The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling. We need not pray for power to endure suffering. How you perceive your spiritual resources dictates how you live. ", Ephesians 1:19 (note) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. 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. New Testament scholar F. F. Bruce writes (The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians [Eerdmans], p. 270), That God should set such high value on a community of sinners, rescued from perdition and still bearing too many traces of their former state, might well seem incredible were it not made clear that he sees them in Christ, as from the beginning he chose them in Christ., Why did God do this? . Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Eph 1:3). We shall never know the far-away springs of the Niles and Congo's of his nature; we shall never unravel the innermost secret of his being. (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. Ruth Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! 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. Lamentations ANSWER -The Bible often mentions people being called by God for a specific ministry or service. 19:23; Cant. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. We as His followers, can best imitate our Lord by learning to relinquish self reliance and instead relying on God's power which is manifest and effective through His Spirit in us, as we seek to continually be filled with Him (Eph 5:18+) and to walk by Him (Gal 5:16+). For less than $5/mo. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). In Ephesians 5:27, Paul says that Gods aim is that He might present to Himself the church, in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. In Colossians 1:27, Paul says that to the saints, God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.. Thats why there is rape and famine, pollution, corruption, and death on our planet. So we, being raised from the dead, go not back to our dead works nor to our old corruptions, but we live unto God. He finally disembarked his troops from a lack of support at home. 3. the mighty power by which he energizes them.[71]. The American Standard Version reads: "the eyes of your heart," not mind. Ephesians 1:1920is discussing Pauls earnest desire for the Ephesians to attain knowledge regarding the power of God toward the believer. From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. One day a man is walking through a field. 2:14; 1 Pet. 2 Thessalonians 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. Its broad acres have been made over to thee by deed of gift. 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. Compatibility Mechanical: 64 Bit (x64) Matthew Salvation is not a joint project, where we teamed up with God to bring it about. The context for this passage is important. We are the Lords Portion, the Lords Inheritance. He let us in on that mystery. (see note), Christ, "the hope of glory," living in us (Colossians 1:27). 2:1416). The Message Compact Bible--soft leather-look, black, The Message//REMIX 2.0, Purple Swirl - Imperfectly Imprinted Bibles, The Message Deluxe Gift Bible--soft leather-look, amethyst gem, The Message of Hope: Discover Meaning and Purpose for Your Life - eBook. But prayer meetings often slip to the bottom of attendance records. The Holy Spirit has sealed the believer, providing the necessary down payment to give assurance and security of the eternal destination to the believer (Ephesians 1:1314). WithoutGodspower, these things would not be possible (seeLuke 18:2627). 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. Both riches and honor come from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone. which is the true and proper fountain of man's salvation. And may I know the riches of my glorious inheritance that is awaiting me and all who trust in Jesus as Saviour. God never has museums. But, also. The NTs concept of hope is built on the OT and has the elements of expectation, a trust in God, and the patient waiting for Gods outworking of his plan. The soul, as is written, The soul of man is the lamp of the Lord (Prov. 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. Zechariah In our struggle with everything that sets itself against the knowledge of God, we have some incredible resources. Seated with Him. Lord, help me to influence prayer time at my church so that it is a healthy representation of the full Christian life, from supplication to praise. In summary, because we are in Christ and He is in us, believers possess resurrection (and ascension) power, and Paul's prayer is for the Spirit to shine the light on this incredible, difficult to comprehend truth that we might know it beyond a "shadow of a doubt" and live in the light of this truth. No, because hes after the treasure. What promises did God make to him (vv. Kleronomia is the portion or heritage which one receives by virtue of birth or by special gift from someone who has died (Lk 12:13). (Ephesians Through Revelation). Colossians that money cannot buy. Used from Homer on it meant originally the fragment of stone or piece of wood which was used as a lot. He implants Biblical truth into your thinking so that your responses become more and more like Christs. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. Finding Christ is like emerging from the cave into the light. I feel now that I want to serve God, if He can use me, instead of making the goal of my life the making of money. Now I have resurrection power living on the inside If I were to put you in a barrel and put that barrel in the Mississippi River, where would you be? The hand that bled to make it mine, The man was powerfully built, and Fuller visualized how he must have looked in the ring. 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. It is great power: nothing less would suffice. Will Pauls prayer be answered in your life? (Mark 2:10-11+). 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. 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!) Then he adds (Calvins Commentaries [Baker reprint], on Eph. I agree that this is Pauls main aim. 18:1; 22:15; 29:4, 11; 31:10; 33:16; 38:10; 39:10; 61:2; 65:6; 71:9; 78:61; 102:23; 103:20; 111:6; 118:14; 147:5; Prov. 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. The knowledge that Paul is praying for includes an intellectual grasp of the truth, but it also grips our emotions and brings our will into greater submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. 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. Jon Courson - Throughout Scripture, the word hope always refers to that which is coming, to that which is ahead. It is not the word preached, nor the word read in itself; all quickening power proceeds from the Holy Ghost. If you are still the same miserable crosspatch, set on your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you. 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. We must live as saints, Gods holy ones, separate from this evil world. God called the entire nation of Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). THOUGHT - Believers in Christ are privileged to worship the Truth personified and consummated in Christ Jesus! The discoveries youll make, the understanding you will glean, the gifts of praise, the expression of even frustrated prayer will affect you for the next zillion years. And what a blessing he is! What we can get from God rather than what we can be to God is our continued concern. BGT . In the NT the idea of chance attaching to the lot is eliminated for all believers we inherit all spiritual blessings in Christ. 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! Ephesians 1:18 (NASB) Verse Thoughts All believers have been called by grace, out of darkness into His glorious light. 1 Chronicles Hope for believers is not the worlds wishful thinking, but the absolute certainty that God will make true what he has promised. Put those deficiencies together and you have the reason why we are dissatisfied and empty. Yes, there are dark spiritual powers at work behind the problems Paul discusses in Ephesiansanger, stealing, bitterness, slander, sexual immorality, greed, deception, and so on. Consequently, they are constantly striving for material things and are continually chasing carnal pursuits. There are too many Christians trying to do the work of God without first being filled with God. It sounds like religious hype. Here it is the other way around. (John 13:7). We need not pray for power to evangelize, to witness the gospel to others. On the other hand, in the OT the hope of the righteous is directed toward the eternal God who will protect and ultimately deliver if not now, certainly in the future. . One argument against taking it this way is that it becomes almost a repetition of the first part of the prayer, to know the hope of His calling. It is used in doxologies to extol the power or dominion of God (1 Pet 5:11; Jude 25; Rev 5:13) and of Christ (1 Tim 6:16; 1 Pet 4:11; Rev 1:6; 5:13), which has victory over all contrary powers. (Believer's Bible Commentary). The heart is the inner man, including the emotion and will; it is the whole self, mans inward being. That there are diversities of gift is manifest; and there always will be a vast difference between those who have five talents and those who have two, in the amount of work done for the kingdom of God. Knowing God has given you His very best in Christ (Rom. Do you think your faith will bring you riches? 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. In Ephesians 1:314 Paul proclaims the blessings of our salvation. 1 Timothy Yes, it is an inheritance. Rather, He is trying to appear to the eye of our soul through an inner consciousness. The power mentioned inEphesians 1:1920is continually attributed to God, not us.