1:19). 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). 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. The succession of ideas follows the order of conversion--first, "calling;" then acceptance to "inheritance;" lastly, "inward working of divine power" in the accepted. Jesus, You have given us freedom Greatness (3174) (megethos from megas = strong, great) refers to magnitude (great size or extent), greatness. Eph 3:16+is another "powerful" (power full - also using dunamis) passage indicating that the Holly Spirit is the Source of this incredible supernatural power (cf Lk 4:14+ = Jesus' pattern for our lives today [1Co 11:1+]!, Acts 1:8+, Ro 15:19+, 1Co 2:4+, 1Th 1:5, Micah 3:8)! It refers to the inherent strength which displays itself in the rule over others. 1986. 11:36; Jn. Play Chris Tomlin's Resurrection Power. I pray that you may know what is the hope of [Gods] calling (Eph. The Greek text may be interpreted in either of two ways. It will encourage you to go on. 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." 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. He wishes them to have eternal life in Christ [John 20:31] and to know that they have it.". If God omnipotently says, "Thou shalt," man shall not say, "I will not." Our dear Father "has blessed (past tense - it is a completed act!) Isaiah 46:911is the cornerstone passage that removes all doubt aboutGods sovereignty. He prayed first of all that they be given a divine awareness of the power they possessed in Christ. In that verse protected means to keep or guard and reflects Peters confidence that salvation is inviolable. As you face this new day, do so with the confidence that you are one of Gods elect. Will Pauls prayer be answered in your life? 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. Leon Tucker wrote the following words back in 1917: "Power is the one thing the church of God needs most and has least. Rader said that without Christ people are in a moral and spiritual cave, blinded, darkened, and unaware of the glories God has in store for them. But I do more than thank. Eph 4:4). Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Note that all three clauses (hope, inheritance, power) are linked to the verb "will know". In other words, this is not just an intellectual ability to understand or teach these truths. The only aim of the life is that the Son of God may be manifested, and all dictation to God vanishes. And may I know the riches of my glorious inheritance that is awaiting me and all who trust in Jesus as Saviour. And they became thine in fact, when thou wast born at the foot of the cross. 12)? The proper exercise of this power requires continuous faith in Christ, just as we believed in Him at conversion. Jesus was not teaching us that a little faith could accomplish great things. Nahum 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. - Now, I want to ask you a question: Are you sitting in this auditorium, this morning, or are you sitting in heavenly places? I have a heritage of joy, He wants them to fully grasp the nature of all three aspects of their salvation. If I were to put you in a barrel and put that barrel in the Mississippi River, where would you be? Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural. Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Not "I hope so" but strong confidence that God is going to do good to us in future. In our struggle with everything that sets itself against the knowledge of God, we have some incredible resources. Dunamis is, however, mostly power in action, as in the frequent use of dunamis for miracles, mighty works, they being exhibitions of divine virtue. This is what Jesus meant when He said of the people: They seeing see not, and hearing they hear not (Mt 13:13). So what does he do? The hand that bled to make it mine, Whatever Thou dost get out of us, Thou must first put in. 2 Peter CD players dont have needles, he said, laughing. If, for example, you realize you have every resource for godly living (Eph. (Acts 26:18+), Robert Morgan illustrates the truth in this verse with the following story - Recently when my CD player died, I asked a friend to look at it. 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. 15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that . He speaks of the 'love of Christ which passeth knowledge,' and of God being 'able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.' That ye may know.--The knowledge which St. Paul here desires for the Ephesians, in accordance with the whole tone of this Epistle, is a knowledge of heavenly things, only experienced in part upon earth--with an experience, however, sufficient to be an earnest of the hereafter. It is your hope of final glorification and of sharing Gods glory when Christ returns (Col. 3:4). Then we begin to possess the power that God has already given us in Christ. 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. Ep). For years, Ive been hearing Jesus could come at any time. | GotQuestions.org, Is there any power in positive thinking? (Back to the Bible), Choose Book of Bible to Study WithoutGodspower, these things would not be possible (seeLuke 18:2627). Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, For there is a difference between ability (dunamin) and strength (ischuo). Consequently it should fill you with joy (Rom. All the soldiers and the high priests could not keep the body of Christ in the tomb; Death himself could not hold Jesus in his bonds: even thus irresistible is the power put forth in the believer when he is raised to newness of life. Salvation is not a joint project, where we teamed up with God to bring it about. You called me from the grave by name From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence. Hope (1680) (elpis) (See also study on Believer's Blessed Hope) expresses a desire of some good with the expectation of obtaining it. Psalms What did God require of him (vv. Incorruptible! Saints (40) (hagios) describes men and women who have been set apart from the world by the sanctifying work of the Spirit for a specific purpose determined by God before the foundation of the world (see notes Ephesians 2:10). Salem Media Group. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power (dunamis) will be of God and not from ourselves; 2 Corinthians 12:9+ And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power (dunamai) is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power (dunamai) of Christ may dwell in me. I never heard such a sermon in all my lifeEphesians 1:18. The Message (MSG). I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:12). | GotQuestions.org, Is there power in the name of Jesus? Here in Ephesians Paul first prays for God to grant them a true experiential knowledge (epignosis) of God (Eph 1:17) and then in Ephesians 1:18 appeals to God to illuminate their tender hearts, the very core of their being, with an intuitive, beyond a chance of doubt knowledge (eido) on three specific issues - hope, riches of His inheritance and power. The gospel call is given by men and is a universal call to repent and trust Christ for salvation (see, e.g., Matt. To correct this problem, we must embrace all aspects of prayer. Hebrews 13:21 records the prayer, "Make you perfect [mature] in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight.". Eido/oida is not so much that which is known by experience as an intuitive insight that is drilled into one's heart. James Pray Ephesians 1:17-19 (and other Pauline prayers). (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary). And yet what food for faith. The eye; fig: the mind's eye. In this passage energeia describes the active, energetic, productive power of the Spirit of God at work. 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. Observe, Those who have their eyes opened, and have some understanding in the things of God, have need to be more and more enlightened, and to . Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. Read the Bible, discover plans, and seek God every day. It's coming together, and it's all up under the headship of Jesus Christ. All rights reserved), The treasures of earth are not mine, So here he takes view #2, but in the following note below he takes view #1! The young man then begins to study that nation and enrolls in a missions-focused school. Paul is "struggling" to say what cannot be said. Hoehner on kratos -In the NT it is used twelve times, four times by Paul, twice in Ephesians (1:19; 6:10) and it always has reference to supernatural power: once of the devil (Heb 2:14), and the other eleven times of God. 1 Peter 1:5 says that we are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Jude 24-25 proclaims, Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. The world gets in the way, sin does its dirty deed, and carnality and strife and bitterness can rule. So of moral vigor. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? Remember that the first three chapters are doctrine but the last three are "duty," calling for a walk "in step" with the doctrinal truths. As saints, were Gods inheritance, His treasure, His prize. Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the privilege of being His child. Ephesians 6:10 says, "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. As saints, were Gods inheritance, His treasure, His prize! God may. Can you conceive this? 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. Thus, it seems that the author is saying, "I know that you are saved, that you have had the blinders of the devil removed; because of this, I can now pray that you will fully understand and see the light of God's glorious revelation."